Purdue Agriculture developing the next generation of bioenergy

By Randy Woodson, Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture

While many corn-based ethanol plants are being built in the Midwest , Purdue researchers are already developing the next generation of biofuels.

Cellulose is a sugar that makes up much of a plant's cell wall. It can be fermented into ethanol. Cellulosic ethanol is usually made from grasses and agricultural wastes, such as corn stalks.

Purdue Agriculture researchers received funding to find ways to produce ethanol from the cellulose of trees, by genetically changing a variety of fast-growing poplar tree.

Purdue researchers have also altered the genetic structure of the yeast used to produce ethanol from corn, making it possible to convert the sugars in cellulose into fuel. Purdue is licensing the technology, which is currently used in Canada to produce ethanol from straw.

Purdue Agriculture is committed to helping make biofuels a significant part of this country's energy mix, as agriculture becomes known not only for the food on your plate but also for the fuel in your car.

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