Accelerating Energy Production with Microbes

Imagine a world where energy comes from nature – reducing our dependence on fossil fuels... » More

Biofuels Leader William Frey Joins SunEthanol as New CEO

SunEthanol announced today that it has hired biofuels leader William Frey, Ph.D., as the cellulosic ethanol company's new chief executive officer. Previously, Dr. Frey led the efforts to commercialize advanced biofuels and new cellulosic process technologies being developed by DuPont. Frey was one of the first business development leaders who established the DuPont Bio-Based Materials business in the late 1990's, now known as DuPont Applied BioSciences. He personally led the team that developed DuPont Biofuels as a business unit in 2002, and has broad partnership experience with industry leaders such as BP, British Sugar, Tate & Lyle and Genencor, a division of Dansico, as well as significant experience in working with global government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Energy. Dr. Frey had been with DuPont for 28 years prior to accepting the position as CEO of SunEthanol. » Continue

SunEthanol receives third DOE grant for cellulosic research

SunEthanol Inc. reports it has made huge progress on improving the productivity of its trademarked Q Microbe, a unique clostridium bacterium. "We've had up to a seven-fold increase since January, to the point where we're within reaching distance of economic viability," said Jef Sharp, chief executive officer of SunEthanol." » Continue

Massachusetts Governor Presents Plan for a Clean Energy Future

"If Massachusetts gets clean energy right, the whole world will be our customer," said Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick in a speech given to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, May 1st. Touting the economic, as well as environmental, benefits of promoting clean energy technology in Massachusetts, Governor Patrick referred to SunEthanol's Q Microbe™ as "a transformational breakthrough" and outlined some energy initiatives of his administration, including a bill to exempt cellulosic biofuel from the state's gasoline tax. The Governor ended his speech by declaring, "Massachusetts has what it takes to lead a clean energy economy...technology, innovation and skill."  » View Gov. Patrick's Speech

Unlocking the Energy Potential of Biomass

SunEthanol is leading the way in developing new technologies to tap the world's vast biomass resources. Conventional technologies for converting biomass into ethanol have never been cost competitive on a commercial scale. SunEthanol's breakthrough Q Microbe™ technology changes that.

SunEthanol's Q Microbe™ technology is based on a novel microorganism first discovered by Dr. Susan Leschine, a microbiologist at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Q Microbe™ converts a wide array of cellulosic material (biomass) from plant and organic matter directly into ethanol. Unlike traditional ethanol production, SunEthanol uses a single step process. The result? Lower capital costs and increased ethanol output.

SunEthanol's patented process enables companies to sustainably produce ethanol from biomass - converting green into gold for its investors and customers - while simultaneously addressing global concerns about climate change and energy independence...» More on the Technology

In Microbe, Vast Power For Biofuel

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick announced that by 2010, the state would require all home heating oil and diesel fuel to contain some biofuel, or plant-based fuel, such as ethanol. A recent discovery made by UMass Amherst microbiologist Dr. Susan Leschine could help the state meet that mandate. WFCR's Tina Antolini explains.