Using a Fungus to Make Fuel

Aug. 21, 2008
The same fungus that plagued soldiers in World War II as it ate their tents and uniforms is now leading engineers at Los Alamos National Laboratory to a new method for turning plants into ethanol.

The fungus, trichoderma reesei, creates enzymes that break down fibers into the simplest form of sugar. The fungus then digests the sugar as food. Researchers at Los Alamos hope the fungus’ enzyme could be refined and used on an industrial scale to transform cellulose pulp and other materials into sugar, which can then be fermented by yeast into ethanol. To do so, they are sequencing the fungus’ DNA, hoping to learn how the creature can break down cellulose so efficiently, and then improve that process.

In this microscope image of the fungus trichoderma reesei, proteins are stained red, and white chitin, a component of the cell walls, is stained blue.

Sponsored Recommendations

April 16, 2025
Clean. Compact. Less heat.
April 16, 2025
SEW-EURODRIVE Introduces DR2C motor, IE5 Ultra-Premium Efficiency Motor
March 31, 2025
Unlike passive products - made of simple carbon springs - the bionic prostheses developed by Revival Bionics are propulsive, equipped with a motor and an artificial Achilles tendon...
March 31, 2025
Electric drives are a key technology for the performance of machines, robots, and power tools. Download this guide for an introduction to high-quality mechatronic drive systems...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Machine Design, create an account today!