Another Cellulosic Breakthrough

Cindy Zimmerman

Cornell CellCornell University researchers have reportedly discovered a class of plant enzymes that potentially could allow plant materials used to make ethanol to be broken down more efficiently than is possible using current technologies.

According to Jocelyn Rose, Cornell assistant professor of plant biology, the breakthrough could make the production of cellulosic ethanol less expensive.

“The bottleneck for conversion of lignocellulose into ethanol is efficient cellulose degradation,” said Rose in a Cornell news release. “The discovery of these enzymes suggests there might be sets of new plant enzymes to improve the efficiency of cellulose degradation.”

The diagram from Cornell Theory Center shows the newly discovered class of plant enzymes with a cellulose-binding module (shown in blue), sticking to a plant cell wall. The binding module of the enzyme helps the catalytic region of the enzyme (shown in more detail in gray in the pullout part of the picture) break down the crystalline cellulose.

Cellulosic, Ethanol, News, Research

Dan Wheldon Trophy Collection

Chuck Zimmerman

Dan Wheldon Wins AgainIt was a very competitive race here in Kansas City and at the end we get to see a familiar sight. Dan Wheldon holding up the trophy.

As I’ve pointed out before, no matter who wins the race, ethanol really wins since all the cars are running on 100% ethanol this year.

For those who are wondering, Jeff Simmons placed 10th, so he’s got two consecutive top ten finishes. We’re very proud of him.

Please take a few minutes to browse through the over 300 pictures I’ve got in my online photo album. I’m going to be packing up and heading on home. It’s been a great week here in Kansas City as we’ve followed the promotion of ethanol and the relationship with the Indy Racing League.

2007 Kansas Lottery Indy 300 Photo Album

Ethanol, Indy Racing, News, Racing

Dan Wheldon Wins Again

Chuck Zimmerman

Green e FlagThe green “e” Flag got the race started once again here today. However, the race is now over.

We only had a couple caution flags so it was a pretty clean and fast race which is just over. Dan Wheldon has won once again.

I’ll be heading out to victory lane to get a picture of Dan who won the race in Homestead, FL too. He’s definitely on a roll this season.

2007 Kansas Lottery Indy 300 Photo Album

Ethanol, Indy Racing, News, Racing

Introducing Jeff Simmons

Chuck Zimmerman

Jeff SimmonsJeff Simmons has been running in the top ten for most of the race here in Kansas City so far today.

We’re nearing the end and hoping he can keep his place for a top 10 finish.

Just prior to the race all the drivers are introduced in front of the grandstand on a temporary stage.

I’ve been collecting pictures and interviews and will be getting those posted over the next week so look for a lot more information about how ethanol is involved with the IRL.

2007 Kansas Lottery Indy 300 Photo Album

Ethanol, Indy Racing, News, Racing

Biodiesel Boat Abandons Record Chase

John Davis

EarthraceA 100% biodiesel-fueled boat has had to give up its quest to break a world record for racing around the world. According to this story posted on C/Net.com, the captain of the Earthrace says it would be impossible to break the 75-day record set in 1998 by a group of British sailors in a regular diesel boat:

TV 3 in New Zealand reports that Pete Bethune, captain of the Earthrace, has conceded that it will be impossible to beat the record.

The Earthrace, a boat that runs on biodiesel and employs other green technologies, launched on March 10 from Barbados. Since then, it has been plagued by mechanical problems and also got delayed by a wreck in Central America. For the past several days, the boat has been stuck in Palau foraging for parts.

“Even if we had a perfect run from here, there’s no way we’d get the record by Barbados,” Bethune, who is from New Zealand, wrote in his blog. Bethune’s last post was April 26, on the early side of the International Date Line. The TV 3 story was posted April 27, New Zealand time.

Some biodiesel refiners had been providing fuel for the Earthrace. However, the green fuel is not available in Palau where it is now stuck.

Biodiesel, International

Jeff Simmons Qualifies at 210.994

Chuck Zimmerman

Team Ethanol Transport TruckThe truck that transports Team Ethanol got a new paint job for this season. I hadn’t seen it before today. Looks pretty slick to me.

It’s the end of the day for me here at Kansas Speedway. The Indy car qualifying is over now and Jeff Simmons got through it okay. His qualifying time is 210.994 MPH. That ethanol fuel definitely has a kick. After they qualify the drivers all come by the IRL Bull Pen for pics and interviews. Of course I interviewed Jeff. He’s our ethanol champion out there and we’re definitely rooting for him tomorrow.

Jeff wishes he had done a little better in qualifying but says the car races better than it qualifies. I guess we’ll see tomorrow.

Listen to my interview with Jeff: Listen to MP3 Jeff Simmons Interview (1 min MP3)

My photo album for this weekend is growing. Check out all the ethanol related activities.

2007 Kansas Lottery Indy 300 Photo Album

Audio, Ethanol, Indy Racing, Racing

Jeff Simmons in Practice

Chuck Zimmerman

Jeff Pitting in PracticeThe Indy cars are on their final round of practice right now. One of them is our favorite, #17, Jeff Simmons.

Jeff is coming into the pits here. All the cars seem to be running pretty well today. Of course, they’re running on 100% ethanol so what do you expect, eh?

Jeff had a great race last week in Japan and we’ll be rooting for him again tomorrow.

2007 Kansas Lottery Indy 300 Photo Album

Ethanol, Indy Racing, News

Patron Car Practice

Chuck Zimmerman

Patron CarThe coolest looking Indy cars have to belong to Rahal-Letterman Racing. However if you look at the other cars this year, several have new designs and color schemes.

Here’s Scott Sharp doing a practice lap here at Kansas Speedway this morning. He’s the Patron car driver. It’s got a real glowing green and black design.

Besides the Patron car Rahal has the Ethanol car which is my personal favorite. I really think that the color and design of this car is largely responsible for the fact that the other cars have really updated their designs.

2007 Kansas Lottery Indy 300 Photo Album

Ethanol, Indy Racing, News

Clif Bar Using Biodiesel

John Davis

Clif Bar logoOrganic snack bar maker… and environmentally-active company… Clif Bar is now using eight biodiesel trucks to help marketing managers deliver their snacks, along with an Earth-friendly message.

This story on GNET.org says the change is part of the company lessening its impact on global warming:

By converting its field marketing vehicles to biodiesel and eliminating the need for 8,000 gallons of gasoline each year, Clif Bar expects to reduce the fleet’s CO2 emissions — the major cause of global warming — by about 40 percent, or 60,000 pounds of CO2.

“We’re always looking for ways to reduce our ecological footprint — it’s one of our bottom lines,” said Clif Bar Owner and Founder Gary Erickson, who drives biodiesel-fueled vehicles for personal use. “We’re using as many organic ingredients as possible in our food, reducing waste in our packaging, ‘greening’ our office space, and reducing our impact on global warming by helping build wind farms and planting trees. The use of biodiesel is another important step in our ongoing journey to operate a sustainable business.”

The fleet will be in Boston, Chicago, Colorado, Los Angeles, Northern California, the Northwest, San Diego/Arizona and Texas where the marketing managers rack up more than 120,000 miles a year.
Start Global Cooling
The latest move is in line with Clif Bar’s campaign known as “Start Global Cooling.” Check out the cool logo.

Looks like they’re talking the talk and, in this case, driving the walk.

Biodiesel