New Biotechnologies for Increased Energy Security: The Future of Fuel - Hardcover

This title includes a number of Open Access chapters.

The information contained in this compendium volume sets the stage for the future's large-scale production of biofuels. Biomass is an abundant carbon-neutral renewable feedstock for producing fuel. First-generation biofuels gained attention for their problems, but the authors of this book demonstrate that they are well on their way to creating practical and sustainable second-generation biofuels.

The book begins with an introduction to synthetic biology. Next, it covers pretreatment technologies, advanced microbial technologies, genetic engineering as it relates to biofuel technologies, and nanotechnology and chemical engineering in relation to biofuels.

Well-respected in his field, the editor's firsthand experience gives him the perspective to create a thorough review of the relevant literature. Each chapter is written by experts in biotechnologies, offering graduate and post-doctorate students, as well as other scientific researchers, a wide-angle look at biofuel technologies. At the same time, this volume points to promising directions for new research.

Dr. Juan Carlos Serrano Ruiz is currently a senior research scientist at Abengoa Research in Seville, Spain. He is licensed in chemical sciences by the University of Granada, Spain and received his PhD in chemistry and material science from the University of Alicante, Spain. He has visited many laboratories all around the world in his research on biofuel. He was a Fulbright Student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA, where he studied catalytic conversion of biomass. Upon his return to Spain, he accepted work at the Department of Organic Chemistry at the University of Cordoba, where he has continued his work with biofuels. He is the author of more than 50 scientific publications in international journals, including an article in Science Magazine on using sugar as a biofuel. He is also the coinventor of a patent taken out by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation for the conversion of cellulose into diesel and gasoline.