Do Fuel Crops Pay? Farmers Get A Way To Know

food vs. fuel

An online calculator hopes to help farmers understand the economics of growing energy crops, and could encourage them to use marginal lands instead of high-quality crop land. Read more →

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Could Biofuels Go Native With Prairie Cordgrass?

image via Jennifer Anderson/USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

Prairie cordgrass is a native that can grow where many crop plants can't, making it a possible biofuel feedstock, say Illinois researchers. Read more →

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Self-Healing Electronics Could Cut E-Waste Down

Self Healing Electronics

University of Illinois engineers present a system for electronics to heal broken circuits all by themselves, extending electronics' life and reducing e-waste. Read more →

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Nanowires Could Revolutionize Thin-Film PV

nanowire-solar

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a technique to build more efficient solar cells by growing tiny semiconductors on the cells' surface. Read more →

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Illinois Geeks In Line For Green Building

ECE Building, University of Illinois

The University of Illinois has broken ground on the new headquarters for its Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, which will aim for LEED Platinum. Read more →

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Artificial Photosynthesis Closer To Reality

artificial-photosynthesis

Researchers at the University of Illinois have overcome a major hurdle to converting carbon dioxide into fuels which could perfect artificial photosynthesis. Read more →

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New Biofuels Feedstocks Are Water Hogs

kumar_biofuels

Researchers at the University of Illinois find that miscanthus and switchgrass will consume increasing amount of precious water as climate conditions change. Read more →

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How Wind Farms Impact Local Climate

image via ACCIONA

Wind farms appear to cause local nighttime warming and daytime cooling, but researchers say careful siting could minimize the effect. Read more →

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Home Biofuels Concept Project Turns E-Waste to Algae

Bio_Grow

A team of undergrads at the University of Illinois have a promising concept design: a home 'algae bioreactor' made from old computer parts that would allow users to grow biofuels at home. Read more →

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