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The Lignocellulosic Conversion to Ethanol (LACE) programme is focused on the production of ethanol from agricultural wastes such as straw. Two "scientific strands" will investiage novel methods for the deconstruction of the plant cell wall optimising the fermentation process. Three "themes" will focus on the economic and social aspects of this technology and carry out the life cycle analysis.
Research AreasOptimising Deconstruction of Cell Walls A major hurdle in the use of biomass for the generation of biofuels is the recalcitrance of the plant cell walls to digestion to the free sugars needed for fermentation. Pre-treatment of the biomass is thus required to allow increased access of enzymes to the biomass substrate Optimising Fermentation The focus of this area is the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass from plant cell walls into useful fuels. This conversion exploits both filamentous fungi (moulds) and yeast in an integrated process Energy Analysis and Life Cycle Analysis A priority of the BBSRC Sustainable Bioenergy Centre will be to evaluate the sustainability of the various bioenergy routes that it is researching, by way of a framework based on the 'Three Pillars' of sustainable development: balancing economic and social development with environmental protection Agricultural Economics The area will draw upon a range of research techniques in agricultural and environmental economics, including the construction and application of farm-level optimisation models that capture energy balance, environmental outputs and physical and financial farm performance Social and Ethical Dimensions This area aims to embed real-time technology assessment (RTTA) led by social scientists within the scientific project of LACE. Using ethnographic observation, semi-structured interviews and analysis of key documents For more information visit: www.nottingham.ac.uk/bioenergy/lace ContactProfessor Greg Tucker BSBEC LACE Programme University of Nottingham Sutton Bonington Campus Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 5RD United Kingdom Phone: +44 (0) 115 9516637
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