Hawaii Sun Grant News
Sun Grant-related research at the University of Hawaii includes three focal areas: bench-scale thermal gasification studies, development of new feedstock from oil crops, and development of a cyanobacterial system for ethanol production.
Within the broad thermal gasification arena, research is focusing on alkali removal from biomass-derived gas using solid sorbents, tracking fuel-bound nitrogen, tracking inorganic constituents in biomass, and catalytic reforming of tars and oils.
The second area is evaluating non-traditional oil crops, including Jatropha curcas and Pongamia pinnata, as potential feedstocks for biodiesel and charcoal production. These trees were chosen for their low resource input requirements and their ability to thrive on poor soil. Their cultivation on marginal lands will promote land reclamation and inhibit soil erosion, while not competing with food crops for agricultural land. Partners in these efforts include the University of Hawaii's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, Pacific Biodiesel, Oils of Aloha, and Volcano Island Honey Company.
Finally, while most of the ethanol production in the U.S. is produced via fermentation of starch crops, a study at CTAHR's Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering is investigating a cyanobacteria-based system to produce ethanol. The environmental benefit of this system is the conversion of CO2, a greenhouse gas, into bioethanol, a renewable energy source.
Projects of Interest
For more state information,
contact the Sun Grant Coordinator.
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