Sustainable Alternative Energy Research Articles

Synergizing social sustainability and technological innovation for carbon neutrality in OECD economies

AbstractEconomies around the globe are pushing toward a society's sustainability perspectives and upgradation in technology to protect the environment from global warming and the depletion of energy supplies. This shift in perception is primarily intended to alter people's attitudes toward posterity. By integrating the theories of interactions between social and ecological systems and the environment Kuznets curve (EKC) framework, this study explores the impact of nonrenewable energy consumption, social sustainability, and technological innovation on CO₂ emissions across the Organization for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) countries from 2001 through 2020. Based on the estimates of FMOLS, PARDL, and QARDL, the 10‐year CO2 emissions and gross domestic product projections are traced using the average growth rate for each country and an average value of independent variables. The findings of this study highlight the detrimental effect of nonrenewable energy consumption on CO₂ emissions, underscoring the urgency for sustainable energy alternatives. However, the positive role of social sustainability and technological innovation in curbing CO₂ emissions within OECD countries is equally significant. Accentuating the importance of social sustainability within this context, the study sheds light on the integral role that societal factors, such as education, public awareness, and social well‐being, play a substantial role in shaping sustainable practices. It is found that Brazil, China, Malaysia, Russia, South Africa, and Thailand need to focus on higher economic growth to experience decarbonizing economic growth.

Assessment of mechanical, physical, and thermal characterization of jujube seed shell briquettes

The escalating challenges of energy scarcity and environmental concerns stemming from fossil fuel usage have intensified the exploration of renewable energy sources, including municipal waste and agricultural residues. Despite their availability, indigenous nature, and environmental friendliness, certain residues necessitate conversion through processes such as briquetting because of the high relative humidity and low specific heat. This study delves into the examination of the mechanical, thermophysical, and physical properties of Jujube seed shell-based briquettes without the use of binders. Three distinct particle sizes; fine particles (<0.6 mm), medium particles (<2.36 mm), and coarse particles (<3.35 mm) were respectively experimented. The produced briquettes underwent analysis for density, durability, shatter resistance index, relaxation ratio, compressive strength, volatile matter (VM), and specific heat of combustion. Results unveiled a density range of 1909 kg/m3 to 2158 kg/m3, with fine particles exhibiting the highest density at 2158 kg/m3. Calorific values varied between 26,430 kJ/kg and 27,175 kJ/kg. Moisture content ranged from 3.0 % to 7 %, ash content from 1.51 % to 1.68 %, volatile matter from 73.1 % to 77.2 %, and fixed carbon from 17.29 % to 18.39 %. This comprehensive exploration provides valuable insights into the potential of Jujube seed shell briquettes as a sustainable and efficient alternative energy source, contributing to the ongoing discourse on renewable energy utilization.

Natural frequency of offshore wind turbines on monopiles in sand

Offshore wind turbines are important for developing sustainable alternative energy sources. Assessing their natural frequencies is a major challenge since resonance can cause damage and even failure, especially for long-term dynamic behavior owing to environmental loads. Several model tests were conducted to understand the long-term dynamic responses of monopile-supported wind turbines buried in sand. An electrodynamic actuator was used to obtain the resonant responses of the structure and a cyclic loading device based on eccentric masses was used to apply long-term cyclic loading. The development of the natural frequency under long-term cyclic loading was investigated for two relative sand densities, three cyclic load amplitudes, and four cyclic numbers. Based on the test results, the frequency increased with increased cyclic number owing to the densification of sand. A larger amplitude results in a larger frequency for medium-dense sand, whereas the opposite tendency exists for dense sand; this is attributed to the reduced embedded depth of the monopile in dense sand accompanied by the subsidence of sand. A non-dimensional framework was used to interpret the change in the natural frequency when subjected to long-term cyclic loads. The empirical equation with the non-dimensional parameter provides an assessment of the long-term natural frequency.

Harnessing CFD simulations and CAD design to optimize hydropower efficiency of a propeller turbine in the Maliringan River: acase study

This research focuses on improving hydropower production by designing a turbine for the MaliringanRiver in Kalimantan Selatan. The rotational speed and torque will be the focus of maximizing power generation. This research used Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to understand how the fluid flows and how efficiently the turbine works. The simulations helped us see how the fluid flowed, the pressure differences, and the speed of the water inside the turbine. The software COMSOL Multiphysics imitates how the fluid behaves and interacts in real-life situations. The utilization of SOLIDWORKS played a crucial role in the turbine's design process, facilitating an accurate representation of the turbine's geometry and the subsequent fabrication of a prototype propeller turbine, featuring an outer diameter measuring 0.27 meters and an inner diameter measuring 0.113 meters. The methodology resulted in a power efficiency of 76.45%, showcasing the possibility of significant enhancements in the efficiency of hydropower generation. The broader ramifications of this study emphasize the feasibility of tailor-made turbines for local hydropower initiatives, thereby supporting Indonesia's renewable energy plan by providing sustainable and efficient energy alternatives. This study emphasizes the collaborative utilization of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and CFD technologies in the progression of turbine technology, thereby establishing a basis for future investigations in hydropower optimization.

Sustainable Electricity Production Using Avocado Waste

Agroindustry waste has exponentially increased in recent years, generating economic losses and environmental problems. In addition, new ways to generate sustainable alternative electrical energy are currently being sought to satisfy energy demand. This investigation proposes using avocado waste as fuel for electricity generation in single-chamber MFCs. The avocado waste initially operated with an ambient temperature (22.4 ± 0.01 °C), DO of 2.54 ± 0.01 mg/L, TDS of 1358 ± 1 mg/L and COD of 1487.25 ± 0.01 mg/L. This research managed to generate its maximum voltage (0.861 ± 0.241 V) and current (3.781 ± 0.667 mA) on the fourteenth day, operating at an optimal pH of 7.386 ± 0.147, all with 126.032 ± 8.888 mS/cm of electrical conductivity in the substrate. An internal resistance of 67.683 ± 2.456 Ω was found on day 14 with a PD of 365.16 ± 9.88 mW/cm2 for a CD of 5.744 A/cm2. Micrographs show the formation of porous biofilms on both the anodic and cathodic electrodes. This study gives preliminary results of using avocado waste as fuel, which can provide outstanding solutions to agro-industrial companies dedicated to selling this fruit.

A critical review of challenges and opportunities for the design and operation of offshore structures supporting renewable hydrogen production, storage, and transport

Abstract. The climate emergency has prompted rapid and intensive research into sustainable, reliable, and affordable energy alternatives. Offshore wind has developed and exceeded all expectations over the last 2 decades and is now a central pillar of the UK and other international strategies to decarbonise energy systems. As the dependence on variable renewable energy resources increases, so does the importance of the necessity to develop energy storage and nonelectric energy vectors to ensure a resilient whole-energy system, also enabling difficult-to-decarbonise applications, e.g. heavy industry, heat, and certain areas of transport. Offshore wind and marine renewables have enormous potential that can never be completely utilised by the electricity system, and so green hydrogen has become a topic of increasing interest. Although numerous offshore and marine technologies are possible, the most appropriate combinations of power generation, materials and supporting structures, electrolysers, and support infrastructure and equipment depend on a wide range of factors, including the potential to maximise the use of local resources. This paper presents a critical review of contemporary offshore engineering tools and methodologies developed over many years for upstream oil and gas (O&amp;amp;G), maritime, and more recently offshore wind and renewable energy applications and examines how these along with recent developments in modelling and digitalisation might provide a platform to optimise green hydrogen offshore infrastructure. The key drivers and characteristics of future offshore green hydrogen systems are considered, and a SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunity, and threat) analysis is provided to aid the discussion of the challenges and opportunities for the offshore green hydrogen production sector.

Synergizing experimental and theoretical insights: Unveiling the solar potential of La2NiMnO6 double perovskite for enhanced efficiency and sustainability in photovoltaics

Amidst the escalating demand for sustainable energy solutions, this research delves into the competence of double perovskite oxide La2NiMnO6 as a solar cell luminary. Addressing material synthesis, structural intricacies, and device construction, the study responds to the limitations of labour-intensive first-generation Si solar cells along with the toxicity of lead attributed perovskite solar cells, steering towards a revolutionary era. La2NiMnO6 distinctive attributes a formidable dielectric constant, positioning it as a beacon in solar energy. Crafted via sol gel citrate alchemy, its structural, optical, and electronic intricacies were meticulously explored. Experimental insights into the fabrication process, employing optimised spray pyrolysis layers, enrich the narrative. Structural analyses confirm La2NiMnO6 prowess, while optical studies unveil its visible spectrum absorbance. Simulations and the experimental J-V curve show PCEs of 10% and 4.5 %, solidifying the La2NiMnO6 stance in the all-inorganic perovskite solar cell realm. This study propels the evolution of photovoltaic technology, laying pathways for sustainable energy alternatives and setting new benchmarks.

The sustainable prospect of biodiesel production: Transformative technologies, catalysts from bio-wastes, and techno-economic assessment

Energy is the most significant factor influencing a nation’s economic success, social advancement, and human welfare. The increasing demand for oil and other forms of energy has fuelled the need for sustainable alternative energy sources. In this context, energy-providing biofuel materials are widely considered a sustainable alternative. Biodiesel, among other biofuel materials, is currently recognized as a valuable resource for the transportation sector on a global scale. To fulfill the growing demand for biodiesel and to ensure sustainability, the biodiesel synthesis process must be expedited. Therefore, reviewing and upgrading the technological strategies for biodiesel production is vital. The current review paper summarizes recent technological advancements in the biodiesel production process and the process parameters that influence the biodiesel production yield. Also, the significance of eco-friendly biocatalysts derived from waste biomass and waste metals for enhancing biodiesel yield has been highlighted. Furthermore, a techno-economic analysis and life cycle evaluation of different biodiesels are reviewed to examine their economic viability and environmental sustainability when produced using bio-derived catalysts. Overall, it is recognized from recent improvements in biodiesel synthesis that the processes that use catalysts generated from waste sources might considerably facilitate the transition to a more sustainable and economical biodiesel production.

Maximizing Solar Panel Performance: A Comparative Study of Aluminum and Copper Panel Integration in Off-Grid Systems

Abstract: This study explores the implementation of off-grid solar energy systems with strategically mounted aluminum panels behind solar panels, aiming to devise an efficient, economical, and environmentally friendly design. The research builds upon existing literature in the field, focusing on optimizing solar panel performance. Through a comprehensive analysis involving voltage, current, temperature, and solar radiation, the study achieved a notable 1-2% increase in solar panel efficiency. Notably, this enhancement is realized without the need for additional space, making the proposed design a practical and space-efficient solution. The findings underscore the potential of this approach as a permanent, cost-effective, and environmentally conscious solution for PV solar panel installations. With the escalating costs of conventional electrical energy, the study advocates for the adoption of this method, aligning with the global push towards sustainable and eco-friendly energy alternatives. The insights gleaned from this research contribute valuable knowledge to the ongoing discourse on advancing renewable energy technologies, emphasizing the significance of efficient and sustainable solutions in the transition towards a cleaner energy future.

Ecological footprint of bio-based diesel under climate change conditions toward sustainable palm oil industry and alternative energy development in Thailand

Thailand has set a maximum biodiesel production target of 11.0 million liters per day in 2037; biodiesels produced from fatty acid methyl ester from palm oil is blended with fossil diesel. The alternative biodiesels include bio‑hydrogenated diesel and partially hydrogenated fatty acid methyl ester which can have higher blending percentages with fossil diesel. The total land and water ecosystem requirements for providing resources and absorbing emissions including cropland, energy, the forest, and built-up land for biodiesel production were assessed by ecological footprint to support the sustainable development of the biodiesel production target while considering climate change. In the existing condition, with production at 4.28 million liters per day, the ecological footprints of fatty acid methyl ester, hydrogenated fatty acid methyl ester, and bio‑hydrogenated diesel were 5.46, 5.51, and 4.09 million global hectare/year, respectively. Water and cropland were the major sources accounting for 67 % and 14 %, respectively. For the production of 11.0 million liters per day under Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5, with maximization of fresh fruit bunches productivity and oil percentage, the ecological footprints of fatty acid methyl ester, hydrogenated fatty acid methyl ester, and bio‑hydrogenated diesel were 9.38, 9.89, and 7.29 million global hectare/year, respectively, whereas for business-as-usual fresh fruit bunch productivity and oil percentage, these values increased to 14.5, 15.0, and 11.3 million global hectare/year, respectively. When only fatty acid methyl ester is used, the plantation area must be increased by between 741,862 and 802,281 ha. Increase in yield of oil palm plantation, percentage palm oil, and promotion of bio‑hydrogenated diesel production should be implemented to decrease the amount of resources used for bio-based diesel production.

Eksplorasi Energi Biogas di PT. Biro Teknik Sinar Baru

Energy sources originating from fossil fuels such as petroleum, coal and others cause environmental damage and increase greenhouse gases. Cow dung is a renewable energy source that is rarely used but has many benefits after being produced into biogas which can be used as electricity and gas. The advantages of using livestock manure into biogas include renewable energy, biogas can reduce environmental pollution and reduce greenhouse emissions. In this research, we studied biogas energy exploration at PT Bureau Teknik Sinar Baru. A comparative study of the potential of biogas and LPG from several aspects, namely duration, volume of use, CO gas, and cost, has been carried out with the aim of evaluating the advantages and limitations of each of these energy sources. Based on the test results, biogas is 14 minutes faster, more economical 0.05 liters, and the CO gas produced is 0.20% - 0.33% smaller than LPG for boiling 5 liters of water. In conclusion, this study shows that biogas has the potential to be a cheaper, environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative energy source compared to LPG.

Shading effects in agrivoltaic systems can make the difference in boosting food security in climate change

Photovoltaic (PV) systems play an important role in the sustainable energy transition, but their impact on food security is ambiguous due to the shift in land use from agriculture to energy production. Currently, agrivoltaic is emerging as an alternative sustainable energy source that optimises multifunctional land use by simultaneously supporting electricity generation and agricultural activities. While many studies have extolled the benefits of shade provided by agrivoltaic on crop water balance and evapotranspiration, plant ecological adaptation, such as Shade Avoidance Syndrome (SAS), and its implications for food security remain relatively unexplored. In this context, we have investigated the influence of a panel-generated shadow on chicory crop production in terms of plant biomass yield and its quality for human health under different water irrigation regimes. For each chicory plant, fresh weight and leaf dimensions were measured to estimate edible biomass, while leaf water content, chlorophylls a and b, carotenoids, metabolite profile and antioxidant capacity were evaluated to assess food quality. Our results show that the shading system has a remarkable capacity to increase edible chicory biomass production compared to full sunlight conditions of 69% and 23%, respectively for high water supply and low water supply, and greater capacity to promote pollination ecosystem services. The shade, provided by a well-designed agrivoltaic system, improves SAS and directly increase yield without altering food quality. Thus, agrivoltaic systems can combine renewable energy strategies with food security, while enhancing ecosystem services for human well-being.

Sustainable utilisation of rice husk for cleaner energy: A circular economy between agricultural, energy and construction sectors

Global research focuses on cleaner and sustainable energy alternatives like biomass due to the limited availability of coal and high CO2 emissions associated with coal combustion. Rice husk-based electricity generation is hindered by the absence of cogeneration facilities in rice mills. Rice (Oryza sativa) cultivation is wide-spread and constructing several biomass plants at various locations is uneconomical. Hence, instead of using as biomass, rice husk is field burnt as a method of disposal. Construction of only few rice cogenerations facilitates and using already existing sugar mills and coal based thermal plants cogeneration facilities in a combined way is cost-effective and sustainable solution. Therefore, the present study examines the synergistic utilisation of sugar mills, coal-based power plants and only few newly proposed biomass power plants for effective combustion of rice husk. Maharashtra, one of the largest states in India is considered as the study area. Already existing 181 sugar mills, 18 thermal power plants are considered in 36 districts of Maharashtra state. Site suitability analysis was performed using a multi-criteria decision-making technique and ArcGIS. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the robustness of the suitability index values. From the analysis, it is found that nine districts require new biomass power plants. In remaining 27 districts use of already existing cogeneration facilities at sugar mills and coal-based power plants are found to be economical than new plants. In addition, 98.7 % of carbon emission was reduced when rice husk is used instead of coal for generating the equivalent quantity of power.

Sustainable Energy Solutions for Environmental Pollution Control

With increased technological advancements, in today’s world, sustainable energy solutions are innovative and provide attractive encouragement to researchers, green chemists, scientists, leaders, and the student community. These novel solution providers focus on factors such as resiliency, reliability, redundancy, lower carbon footprints, and possible positive outcomes. For big-impacted solutions, this article will research areas such as (i) Energy Indicators and Assessment, (ii) Energy Major Developments, (iii) Self-Generation Power, (iv) Thermal Retrieval, (v) Thermic Energy Storage (vi) PV solar storage, (vii) Sustainable Batteries, (viii) Electric Vehicle Developments, (ix) Types of Fuel Storage, and (x) Centralized Micro Grids and Controllers. Soon, Sustainable Renewable energy and Alternative energy are quickly substituting fossil fuels across the globe including nuclear energy, biofuels, synthetic carbon-emissionfree fuels, and hydrogen fuel cells. The chapter will also compare the advancements of hydrogen fuel cells in India and overseas. To conclude, sustainable energy solutions will project a well-established track to a cleaner future. By working together, creating awareness among individuals, communities, businesses, and governments, will pave the way to brighter and greener innovative solutions.

Amaranthus hybridus waste solid biofuel: comparative and machine learning studies.

The diminishing supply of fossil fuels, their detrimental environmental effects, and the challenges associated with the disposal of agro-waste necessitated the development of renewable and sustainable alternative energy sources. This study aims at developing bio-briquettes from Amaranthus hybridus waste, with cassava starch as a binder; both are agricultural wastes. Before and following delignification, alkali-treated Amaranthus hybridus (TAHB) and untreated (UAHB) briquettes were evaluated in terms of combustion and physicochemical parameters. FTIR and SEM were utilized to monitor the morphological transformation and bond restructuring of TAHB and UAHB samples. EDXRF was used to assess the Potential Toxic Elements (PTEs) composition and environmental friendliness of both TAHB and UAHB. Furthermore, Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) and fuzzy c-means (FCM) clustering machine learning models were used to optimize the production process and predict the efficiency of bio-briquettes. After delignification, a lower lignin value of 11.47 ± 0.00% in TAHB compared to 12.31 ± 0.01% (UAHB) was recorded. Calorific values of 10.43 ± 0.25 MJ kg-1 (UAHB) and 12.53 ± 0.30 MJ kg-1 (TAHB) were recorded at p < 0.05. EDXRF results showed a difference of 0.016% in Pb concentration in both samples. SEM reveals morphological restructuring, while FTIR reveals a 4 cm-1 difference in the C-O stretch. The root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and mean absolute error (MAE) gave values of 0.0249, 2.104, and, 0.0249; (MAE, training) and 0.0223 (MAE, testing) respectively. This shows that the model's predictions match the reality, thereby suggesting a strong agreement between the predicted and experimental data. The finding of this study shows that delignification-disruption improved the solid biofuel's ability to burn cleanly and sustainably.

Simulation, synthesis, and analysis of strontium-doped ZnO nanostructures for optoelectronics and energy-harvesting devices

The demand for clean and sustainable alternative energy resources is linearly increasing day by day due to the prevailing electricity crisis. Small-scale energy harvesting is considered a sustainable way to generate clean energy. Advanced energy solar cells, mainly dye-sensitized solar cells use solar energy and convert it into electrical energy. Similarly, MEMS-based piezoelectric materials are used to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. For these applications, zinc oxide is considered one of the most suitable materials with high conductive, tunable band gap, and piezoelectric properties. However, altering these properties can be carried out by the addition of metal and other materials. Various research work has been carried out to study the addition of conductive metal as a dopant to alter the properties of zinc oxide. In this study, Strontium has been doped in ZnO to form a nanostructure for application in DSSC and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) energy harvesters. Analysis has been conducted using the simulation and fabrication method. The results show that the doping and the pore size of the substrate (Anodic Aluminum oxide membrane) largely affect the output voltage and current. The difference between the simulated and experimental results was less than 1%, which shows the accuracy of the simulation. Tuning of the band gap can be observed by the addition of Sr in the ZnO nanostructure. For microelectromechanical systems energy harvesters, Sr-doped ZnO nanostructures deposited on anodic aluminum oxide show 7.10 mV of voltage and 1.11 uA of current output. The addition of Sr doping in ZnO shows the improvement in the generated current and voltage for the energy harvester and the improvement in overall power conversion efficiency for dye-sensitized solar cells. MEMS-based energy harvesting devices and low-cost advanced solar cells are promising to improve the efficiency of energy generation at a small scale.

Effect of Ti3AlC2 MAX phase on electrochemical performance of thermo-responsive copolymer electrolyte for solid state zinc-ion battery

The solid-state zinc-ion battery (ZIB) is environmentally friendly, cost effective, and extremely safe, which are essential features for alternative sustainable energy storage systems. Herein, a polymer composite electrolyte (PCE) is successfully developed through a facile solution-casting approach from a thermo-responsive copolymer-based electrolyte and layered ternary carbide (Ti3AlC2). The thermo-responsive copolymer demonstrated synergistic mechanical properties through the addition of an appropriate plasticizer and a zinc salt. This combination suggests that the material possesses thermal self-protection capabilities due to its anti-Arrhenius ionic-conducting behavior. However, parasitic reactions and dendrite formation hindered the achievement of its full potential. The incorporation of Ti3AlC2 or MAX phase can mitigate the above obstacles, enhancing electrochemical performance with excellent flexibility and maintainable self-extinguishing. The solid-state ZIB benefits from the well-designed PCE with the expanding layer interspacing, delivering a remarkably high capacity (336 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1) and energy density of 242 Wh kg−1. This is achieved due to the Ti3AlC2's ability to immobilize or entrap triflate anions via electrostatic forces. Therefore, the designed PCE is a promising step toward the development of flexible solid electrolytes in ZIBs.

A review on technological and urban sustainability perspectives of advanced building‐integrated photovoltaics

AbstractWith the escalating urgency for sustainable energy alternatives, solar power in urban landscapes has gained prominence. Building‐integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems are pivotal in this shift, blending efficient energy generation with architectural aesthetics. This review casts a spotlight on BIPV technologies, with a special emphasis on the less‐explored semitransparent photovoltaics (PVs). These systems are not only energy generators but also natural light facilitators, setting them apart from their opaque PV counterparts. Advancements in both transparent and opaque PV, such as crystalline silicon, are discussed. However, the paper prioritizes semitransparent PV's unique benefits, including harmonious integration with building design and simultaneous energy and daylight management. An exhaustive examination of current literature and developments sketches BIPV's trajectory, highlighting applications, challenges, and technological strides. The narrative extols the aesthetic, financial, and efficiency merits of BIPV, particularly the semitransparent variants' blend of functionality and design. Performance optimization of BIPV systems is scrutinized across various environments and architectural styles. This meticulous discussion seeks to clarify the status quo, emerging research avenues, and future prospects of BIPV in fostering a greener energy transition. The review compares BIPV configurations with traditional solar PV systems, charting a path for enhanced energy production, cost efficiency, and aesthetic integration, with semitransparent PV as a key player. By exploring the interplay between architectural design, energy efficiency, and urban planning, this paper aims to solidify the groundwork for future research, reinforcing the sustainability narrative in urban energy infrastructure.

Organically Functionalized Porous Aluminum Phosphonate for Efficient Synthesis of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural from Carbohydrates

Naturally occurring fossil fuels are the major resource of energy in our everyday life, but with the huge technological development over the years and subsequent energy demand, the reserve of this energy resource is depleting at an alarming rate, which will challenge our net energy resources in the near future. Thus, an alternative sustainable energy resource involving biomass and bio-refinery has become the most emerging and demanding approach, where biofuels can be derived effectively from abundant biomass via valuable chemical intermediates like 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF). 5-HMF is a valuable platform chemical for the synthesis of fuel and fine chemicals. Herein, we report the synthesis of the organically functionalized porous aluminum phosphonate materials: Ph-ALPO-1 in the absence of any template and Ph-ALPO-2 by using 1,3-diaminopropane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid as a small organic molecule template and phenylphosphonic acid as a phosphate source. These hybrid phosphonates are used as acid catalysts for the synthesis of 5-HMF from carbohydrates derived from biomass resources. These Ph-ALPO-1 and Ph-ALPO-2 materials catalyzed the dehydration of fructose to 5-HMF with total yields of 74.6% and 90.7%, respectively, in the presence of microwave-assisted optimized reaction conditions.

Metabolic Engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for Conversion of Formate and Acetate into Free Fatty Acids

The ever-increasing global energy demand, juxtaposed with critical concerns about greenhouse gas emissions, emphatically underscores the urgency to pivot toward sustainable and eco-friendly energy alternatives. Tapping into microbial metabolism for clean energy generation stands out as a particularly promising avenue in this endeavor. Given this backdrop, we delved deeply into the metabolic engineering potential of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, thereby aiming for the bioconversion of formate and acetate—both CO2 derivatives—into free fatty acids (FFAs) as precursors for biofuel production. Our study not only elucidated the metabolic pathways within S. cerevisiae that are tailored for efficient formate and acetate utilization but also shone a light on the meticulous optimization strategies that amplify FFA synthesis. The engineered strains, under refined conditions, exhibited up to an 8-fold increase in an FFA titer, thus reaching a production level of 6.6 g/L, which showcases the potential of microbial metabolism in clean energy generation. Our findings offer a promising step toward harnessing microbial metabolism for sustainable energy production, thereby bridging the gap between waste carbon utilization and greener fuel alternatives.