There were rumors today that a barrel of oil might jump to 600 dollars per barrel.
A few weeks ago a Gazprom executive predicted that the oil price might climb to $ 250 per barrel.
But $ 600 per barrel means the real beginning of a bio-based economy.
Biotouch is a conceptual approach with tools and ideas for better handling of the post-oil-period. But changes might happen very soon.
The current news are scaring. How well are we prepared? Read this blog about oil-price!
The YouTube video to the right is representing another extreme: the man is explaining, "there is no peak-oil" in his own words.
"One of the funniest videos in months," comments one YouTube commentator.
The other comment says, "He is right about the oil. First off we have a 100 biliion barrels of untapped reserves in the US that include off shore anwar and shale deposits in Colorado. You people can laugh at this guy but for an idiot he isn't a sheep like most people who laugh at this video are. Our Liberal congress refuses to drill or use these deposits if people would wake up and vote these politicians out we wouldn't be paying 4.00 gas. wake up people the Government is Screwing us."
Anyway, oil is becoming a real big issue. The price of the dollar is anohter. What happens in Iran in the coming months is a determining factor. Let's wait and see...
“The way we're really going to grow the economy is to invest in people, to invest in innovation, to have the government put money in the kind of research that will create the new high-technology, BIOTECHNOLGY industries that will create millions of new jobs.” - Joseph Lieberman-
Monday, June 30, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
Biotouch PMEU Conference Call Today
We'd an interesting Biotouch Conference Call Today. The participants:
"The present biorefinery technology is based on one hundred years old inventions. We do have the tools and intellectual property for a radical modernization of how we use and monetize future fiber processing. But we need partners with a deeper understanding about the added values that the Biotouch-approach can deliver," Elias said.
We discussed the Biotouch PMEU biotech service concept and its wide range use on a global scale. Juha informed about a recent problem solving case in southern Europe where PMEU proved its value as a problem solving tool.
The other thing is the combination of Luminometry and PMEU in paper / board machine microbial online activity control with PMEU as an added value "disease determination."
Macarena told about the the strong food processing industry in Mexico. Another case where the Biotouch approach could be used is in the Mexican world class cement industry.
Financing of a world wide operation to promote Bitouch and PMEU solutions were discussed.
We do have a revolutionary biotechnological solution - comparable with microscopy - for rapid microbe growth determination, but we would need a partner with deeper pockets to support the globalization of Biotouch-operations.
"A company in the USA called QuoNova has started to attack the problem of biofilms as a health problem and they are developing products that allow combating biofilms in wounds and in cystic fibrosis in lungs," writes Macarena in her previous posting.
I'd like to have your comments about this.
- Macarena Pallares
- Juha Mentu
- Helge Keitel
"The present biorefinery technology is based on one hundred years old inventions. We do have the tools and intellectual property for a radical modernization of how we use and monetize future fiber processing. But we need partners with a deeper understanding about the added values that the Biotouch-approach can deliver," Elias said.
We discussed the Biotouch PMEU biotech service concept and its wide range use on a global scale. Juha informed about a recent problem solving case in southern Europe where PMEU proved its value as a problem solving tool.
The other thing is the combination of Luminometry and PMEU in paper / board machine microbial online activity control with PMEU as an added value "disease determination."
- Luminometry and ATP as a "thermometer" to indicate what's happening (fever)
- PMEU is the tool for in depth determination of the cause of the "sickness"
- The Biotouch concept provides a methodology for standardized problem solving
Macarena told about the the strong food processing industry in Mexico. Another case where the Biotouch approach could be used is in the Mexican world class cement industry.
Financing of a world wide operation to promote Bitouch and PMEU solutions were discussed.
We do have a revolutionary biotechnological solution - comparable with microscopy - for rapid microbe growth determination, but we would need a partner with deeper pockets to support the globalization of Biotouch-operations.
"A company in the USA called QuoNova has started to attack the problem of biofilms as a health problem and they are developing products that allow combating biofilms in wounds and in cystic fibrosis in lungs," writes Macarena in her previous posting.
I'd like to have your comments about this.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Biofilms
A biofilm is a structured community of microorganisms encapsulated within a self-developed polymeric matrix and adherent to a living or inert surface. Biofilms have a large and varied role in human activities from being responsible for a number of diseases in humans and animals to also being invaluable in the treatment of domestic sewage and industrial wastes. (Cambridge Journals) The study of biofilms represents a radical new way of understanding the microbiology of virtually everything around us, from problems that afflict industry to serious public health issues. (Montana State University).
oajsopjqowhndklsjfnhweifjekwjfsjloq Image by http://i.treehugger.com/files/th_images/biofilm.jpg
So the basic questions to ask are: When do biofilms cause problems to humanity? And when are biofilms helpful?
The propensity of biofilms to attach can cause many problems for a wide range of industries. An example of these problems is the contamination that biofilms cause in the pulp and paper manufacturing, and the water and treatment distribution. Biofilms are responsible for billions of dollars in lost industrial productivity, as well as product and capital equipment damage each year. That is why some companies have already started programs of R&D in this area. An example of one of these companies is Finnoflag OY which is developing a product called PMEU that allows the detection of microbes in the wood processing and food industries.
kSHOWHDILKNFEKNEFKN mkw Image by http://www.siblarch.net/images/Storbranna3%202006.JPG
Although biofilms sound really harmful, they also have some benefits. For example: they may be used for the self-purification of streams and rivers, in the treatment of waste and pollution and/or the generation of electricity. This is made possible by the protective slimy matrix that prevents attack from the immune system and antibiotics, as well as toxic contaminants while breaking down waste or effluent. (European Research Comission).
It is really good that some companies have already started the R&D of products to combat biofilms, or to enhance their beneficial properties but much more investment should still be done in this area.
So the basic questions to ask are: When do biofilms cause problems to humanity? And when are biofilms helpful?
The propensity of biofilms to attach can cause many problems for a wide range of industries. An example of these problems is the contamination that biofilms cause in the pulp and paper manufacturing, and the water and treatment distribution. Biofilms are responsible for billions of dollars in lost industrial productivity, as well as product and capital equipment damage each year. That is why some companies have already started programs of R&D in this area. An example of one of these companies is Finnoflag OY which is developing a product called PMEU that allows the detection of microbes in the wood processing and food industries.
Biofilms can also cause many infections in human beings, and can be really dangerous. Biofilm infections form preferentially on foreign surfaces as well as dead or damaged tissue. These infections develop gradually and may be slow to produce overt symptoms. Once established, however, biofilm infections persist. They are rarely resolved by host defense mechanisms, even in individuals with healthy innate and adaptive immune reactions. (Montana State University). A company in the USA called QuoNova has started to attack the problem of biofilms as a health problem and they are developing products that allow combating biofilms in wounds and in cystic fibrosis in lungs.
Although biofilms sound really harmful, they also have some benefits. For example: they may be used for the self-purification of streams and rivers, in the treatment of waste and pollution and/or the generation of electricity. This is made possible by the protective slimy matrix that prevents attack from the immune system and antibiotics, as well as toxic contaminants while breaking down waste or effluent. (European Research Comission).
It is really good that some companies have already started the R&D of products to combat biofilms, or to enhance their beneficial properties but much more investment should still be done in this area.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Have a great Biotech Midsummer!
Hello, I spoke with Elias today and we try to arrange a Skype conference after the midsummer about the next step in Biotouch.
We'll have a meeting with Seppo, Pekka, a third person and myself in Helsinki June 26. We talk about how to attract financing for Biotouch, and how to build a structure and become more organized.
The Finnish forestry industry is in trouble with excess capacity, high cost of raw materials, energy and the low value of US dollar. We are going to see more closures of mills in the coming months.
Kemira is downscaling and concentrating on WATER. 1 000 employees has to go out of ten thousand globally.
We need a new biotech industrial base. The traditional pulp and paper could benefit from biotech and microbiology based innovative approaches. We've ideas, tools, and concepts but need to get a stronger organization to transfer the promises to real functional processes and services.
Have a great midsummer!
We'll have a meeting with Seppo, Pekka, a third person and myself in Helsinki June 26. We talk about how to attract financing for Biotouch, and how to build a structure and become more organized.
The Finnish forestry industry is in trouble with excess capacity, high cost of raw materials, energy and the low value of US dollar. We are going to see more closures of mills in the coming months.
Kemira is downscaling and concentrating on WATER. 1 000 employees has to go out of ten thousand globally.
We need a new biotech industrial base. The traditional pulp and paper could benefit from biotech and microbiology based innovative approaches. We've ideas, tools, and concepts but need to get a stronger organization to transfer the promises to real functional processes and services.
Have a great midsummer!
Monday, June 16, 2008
Campaign Spotlight - An Emotional Urge to Get Up and ‘Gro’ - NYTimes.com
Campaign Spotlight - An Emotional Urge to Get Up and ‘Gro’ - NYTimes.com: "An energetic new campaign that urges consumers to go outdoors and get their hands dirty looks and sounds as if it could be promoting brands like Gore-Tex, Jeep, North Face, Range Rover or Patagonia.
The actual sponsor can be inferred from the upbeat theme, “It’s Gro Time.”
Helge: I'm not sure if this blog post is placed in the right place. Gardening is probably closer to agriculture than biotechnology but even in the garden microbes are at work. I write about this campaign because gardening seems to be a growing free-time activity. There are lots of gardening programs on TV today. Is this indicating a return to old traditions? Are we doing this to get better and less processed food?
Indeed, the Miracle-Gro line of gardening products, sold by the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, is behind the emotional campaign. That is surprising because until now its marketing efforts have been sedate, even a bit stodgy.
Helge: Another point is that equipments and materials for gardening are a growth business. In Finland the Kemira Grow-How product line is popular.
The new campaign is by the same creative agency that Miracle-Gro has used for several years, ML Rogers in New York. And Mediaedge:cia in New York, part of the GroupM division of the WPP Group, remains the media agency.
Helge: First I thought Miracle-Gro is Irish? Ireland is peat country. But no, it's an American company based in Ohio.
But the more assertive attitude and younger tone for the campaign represent a sea change — or, in this instance, maybe a land change is a more accurate way to put it."
Helge: Yes, I see the same trend here. Go to It's Gro-Time website.
For decades, ads for Miracle-Gro were focused on product attributes and benefits, making claims about the size and robustness of the flowers and vegetables that could be grown by using its garden soil, potting mix and other plant foods.
Helge: Mother Nature seems to be back in business.
“What we’re trying to do now is attract more people to the activity of gardening,” says Jan Valentic, senior vice president at Scotts Miracle-Gro in Marysville, Ohio, with the message that Miracle-Gro “is a product that helps Mother Nature be all she can be, and more so.”
Helge: There is a parallel with popular cooking and kitchen programs on TV.
“We want to get people to think of gardening as a great pastime,” Ms. Valentic says. “Ideally, I’d love to have gardening considered, regarded as sexy as cooking.”
Helge: As you know, Irja K. is very fond about everything related to gardening and the use of home grown stuff for food.
The actual sponsor can be inferred from the upbeat theme, “It’s Gro Time.”
Helge: I'm not sure if this blog post is placed in the right place. Gardening is probably closer to agriculture than biotechnology but even in the garden microbes are at work. I write about this campaign because gardening seems to be a growing free-time activity. There are lots of gardening programs on TV today. Is this indicating a return to old traditions? Are we doing this to get better and less processed food?
Indeed, the Miracle-Gro line of gardening products, sold by the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, is behind the emotional campaign. That is surprising because until now its marketing efforts have been sedate, even a bit stodgy.
Helge: Another point is that equipments and materials for gardening are a growth business. In Finland the Kemira Grow-How product line is popular.
The new campaign is by the same creative agency that Miracle-Gro has used for several years, ML Rogers in New York. And Mediaedge:cia in New York, part of the GroupM division of the WPP Group, remains the media agency.
Helge: First I thought Miracle-Gro is Irish? Ireland is peat country. But no, it's an American company based in Ohio.
But the more assertive attitude and younger tone for the campaign represent a sea change — or, in this instance, maybe a land change is a more accurate way to put it."
Helge: Yes, I see the same trend here. Go to It's Gro-Time website.
For decades, ads for Miracle-Gro were focused on product attributes and benefits, making claims about the size and robustness of the flowers and vegetables that could be grown by using its garden soil, potting mix and other plant foods.
Helge: Mother Nature seems to be back in business.
“What we’re trying to do now is attract more people to the activity of gardening,” says Jan Valentic, senior vice president at Scotts Miracle-Gro in Marysville, Ohio, with the message that Miracle-Gro “is a product that helps Mother Nature be all she can be, and more so.”
Helge: There is a parallel with popular cooking and kitchen programs on TV.
“We want to get people to think of gardening as a great pastime,” Ms. Valentic says. “Ideally, I’d love to have gardening considered, regarded as sexy as cooking.”
Helge: As you know, Irja K. is very fond about everything related to gardening and the use of home grown stuff for food.
About Us
"It's Gro Time" is our call to action and rallying cry for consumers to go outside, get their hands dirty and discover the wonders that only a garden can provide. As a cornerstone of our marketing efforts, "It's Gro Time" encourages people to enjoy all that the outdoors and their backyard have to offer.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Biofuel made from Wood
Another good alternative to produce Biofuel is to use wood as the raw material. There are three basic approaches that are the most promising for making liquid fuels from wood. These are producing: methanol, ethanol, and diesel fuel (of course other liquid fuels from wood are possible to produce).
Currently Shell and Choren Industries finished building a manufacturing plant for BTL (biomass-to-liquid). In this plant forest residues, waste wood, fast-growing timber and agricultural residues can be used as biomass for production purposes (Choren).
There are four significant reasons why wood fuel has been proven to be beneficial (LC Energy):
Currently Shell and Choren Industries finished building a manufacturing plant for BTL (biomass-to-liquid). In this plant forest residues, waste wood, fast-growing timber and agricultural residues can be used as biomass for production purposes (Choren).
There are four significant reasons why wood fuel has been proven to be beneficial (LC Energy):
• It is inexpensive (cheaper than domestic gas, oil, LPG and electricity).
• It will not run out if it comes from sustainable woodlands.
• It is carbon neutral (90% less than when burning fossils).
• It reduces the dependence on fuel imports and price uncertainty
Is it good for the environment?
lJOkdnhkelifhjkndskhsidndslifdfhd Image by http://www.mass.gov/As said before, wood burning doesn’t release more CO2 than when it biodegrades; therefore it doesn’t add more pollution to the environment.
A problem that might rise, if biofuel from wood is mass-produced, is that the companies have to be aware that they should cut trees sustainably. Because if all the forest where felled, it will lead to deforestation and habitat destruction. As a result of that possibility there has to be a conservation plan in all companies that allows chopping some trees to produce biofuels, but then re-foresting the area and taking care of the animal and plant species that live there.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
The Stockholm Water Front
The Stockholm Water Front is a forum for global water issues No 1, April 2008:
Water is central to both climate change and human development, and most of the effects of climate change will hit us through water.
The developed countries, mainly responsible for historic greenhouse emissions, have not yet delivered on the real commitment. Action of mitigation is too slow, and promises to finance adaption have been largely ignored.
"If we are to tackle climate change, ample and additional resources are needed", writes Karin Laxén, Swedish Water House in the Stockholm Water Front.
- 15 000 liters of water for 1 kg of beef
- 40 liters of water for 1 slice of wheat bread
- 5 000 liters of water for 1 kg of cheese
Water is central to both climate change and human development, and most of the effects of climate change will hit us through water.
The developed countries, mainly responsible for historic greenhouse emissions, have not yet delivered on the real commitment. Action of mitigation is too slow, and promises to finance adaption have been largely ignored.
"If we are to tackle climate change, ample and additional resources are needed", writes Karin Laxén, Swedish Water House in the Stockholm Water Front.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Bioremediation
Of all the different technologies that have been explored as a solution for the waste cleaning problem, Bioremediation has come out as the most attractive approach to clean many environmental pollutants. This technology uses naturally occurring microorganisms to degrade toxic substances into less-toxic or no-toxic materials. The microorganisms break down contaminants by using them as a food source. Bioremediation seems to be a cost effective, natural process that can be applicable to many common organic wastes and that can be helpful in the elimination of different waste in a lot of areas.
But how does it work?Microorganisms must be active and healthy in order for bioremediation to take place. Bioremediation technologies assist microorganisms' growth and increases microbial populations by creating optimum environmental conditions for them to detoxify the maximum amount of contaminants (Bioremediation Inc.).
Generally, bioremediation technologies can be classified as in situ or ex situ. In situ bioremediation involves treating the contaminated material at the site while ex situ involves the removal of the contaminated material to be treated elsewhere.
Bioremediation can be applied in a lot of areas: water and soil cleaning (Aster Bio), elimination of textile (African Journal of Biotechnology) and paper effluents…
Image by http://www.innovations-report.de/
I hope this field keeps growing and that the areas of application of this technology increase. There has to be inversion in the current studies for developing products that make easier to find the waste and develop the potential microorganism that will be able to clean the pollutant, so let’s hope that more companies do R&D in this field.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
World Water Week, Stockholm, August 17 - 23, 2oo8
In the fast growing urban areas of the developing world, clean, efficient infrastructure and management of sanitation and waste facilities will require considerable up-front financial investments.
The economic, social and environmental benefits down the road will far outweigh this initial expenditure.
The World Water Week will take place in Stockholm, August 17 - 23, 2oo8. For a staggering 2,6 billion people, lack of access to adequate sanitation is a major and daily threat to their health and well-being.
This bears tremendous social and environmental costs, of which premature deaths, degradation of living quarters and the environment, and reduced access to education are but the few.
Parallell global trends - population and economic growth, increasing energy demand, changing diets, etc. - increase the amount of water required for development.
While increased agricultural production for food and bioenergy represent interesting new sources of income for rural farmers all over the world, these opportunities must take into account the water-constrained biophysical reality of the planet.
Reducing fossil fuel use will increase demand for bioenergy production. While the second generation of bioethanol may be produced on wastelands or from cellulose, croplands may also be converted for their production.
This increases competition for land and water resources. Climate change mitigation will increase the demand for biomass-based carbon sequestration.
Source: www.worldwaterweek.org
The economic, social and environmental benefits down the road will far outweigh this initial expenditure.
The World Water Week will take place in Stockholm, August 17 - 23, 2oo8. For a staggering 2,6 billion people, lack of access to adequate sanitation is a major and daily threat to their health and well-being.
This bears tremendous social and environmental costs, of which premature deaths, degradation of living quarters and the environment, and reduced access to education are but the few.
Parallell global trends - population and economic growth, increasing energy demand, changing diets, etc. - increase the amount of water required for development.
While increased agricultural production for food and bioenergy represent interesting new sources of income for rural farmers all over the world, these opportunities must take into account the water-constrained biophysical reality of the planet.
Reducing fossil fuel use will increase demand for bioenergy production. While the second generation of bioethanol may be produced on wastelands or from cellulose, croplands may also be converted for their production.
This increases competition for land and water resources. Climate change mitigation will increase the demand for biomass-based carbon sequestration.
Source: www.worldwaterweek.org
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Juha Mentu's blog is getting attention
Congratulations to Juha Mentu. He is also one of the Biotuch co-writers. I got a separate posting to my gmail and decided to post the information here as well. It's true, there isn't many well written blogs about the paper industry. I guess, the same goes for biotechnology and microbiology in general.
Macarena, I see that Yahoo Answers is a very good tool to attract readers to the Biotouch. Thanks for actively promoting the Biotouch blog. The blog already has a growing global readership, although, it's been around since last week of May 2008.
The Industry microbiologist blog is very focused. I think the feedback will motivate Juha to write more.
Macarena, I see that Yahoo Answers is a very good tool to attract readers to the Biotouch. Thanks for actively promoting the Biotouch blog. The blog already has a growing global readership, although, it's been around since last week of May 2008.
The Industry microbiologist blog is very focused. I think the feedback will motivate Juha to write more.
| show details 10:21 AM (1 hour ago) |
|
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Microscopy as an analytical tool for paper industr...":
Hi,
It's nice to see a well-written blog on pulp and paper industry technical issues. There are not many blogs in our industry.
We have a popular pulp and paper industry news website (http://news.paperindex.com) where we have started covering blogs too. We have posted headline and snippets of your latest blog post on our website. Hope this will help you generate good traffic to your blog.
If you would like to publicize your blog, you can post your new blog posts on our news website. If you are interested, please send an email to news at paperindex dot com. We will create your account to enable you post your blog headlines and snippets to generate traffic to your blog.
For blogs, we have a dynamic news content display using which blog writers can display pulp and paper industry news headlines on their blogs. Dynamic news headlines make blogs more interesting to users. If you would like to display FREE pulp and paper news headlines on your blog, please click this URL: http://www.paperindex.com/general/freecontent.aspx
Our website pulp and paper marketplace website www.paperindex.com too has some interesting links, which your readers may find useful. For useful links for your blog, please visit this URL: http://www.paperindex.com/general/linktous.aspx
Thank you,
Kannan
Posted by Anonymous to Pulp, Paper, Board and Packaging Microbiologist at June 7, 2008 12:21 AM
Hi,
It's nice to see a well-written blog on pulp and paper industry technical issues. There are not many blogs in our industry.
We have a popular pulp and paper industry news website (http://news.paperindex.com) where we have started covering blogs too. We have posted headline and snippets of your latest blog post on our website. Hope this will help you generate good traffic to your blog.
If you would like to publicize your blog, you can post your new blog posts on our news website. If you are interested, please send an email to news at paperindex dot com. We will create your account to enable you post your blog headlines and snippets to generate traffic to your blog.
For blogs, we have a dynamic news content display using which blog writers can display pulp and paper industry news headlines on their blogs. Dynamic news headlines make blogs more interesting to users. If you would like to display FREE pulp and paper news headlines on your blog, please click this URL: http://www.paperindex.com
Our website pulp and paper marketplace website www.paperindex.com too has some interesting links, which your readers may find useful. For useful links for your blog, please visit this URL: http://www.paperindex.com
Thank you,
Kannan
Posted by Anonymous to Pulp, Paper, Board and Packaging Microbiologist at June 7, 2008 12:21 AM
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Marketing Opportunities for Biotouch
From my point of view, an important way for the enterprise to sell its product and look for potential investors is to participate in events that allow the firm to exhibit its products and make the brand be known and recognized. This way potential investors or customers get to know the product that the brand is offering, and the applications of it. An important event that is coming soon is the EFIB2008, this could be a great opportunity for the enterprise to market itself and demonstrate the organization’s expertise in the field of biotechnology. What a better place to promote the product than these two days where most of the investors and customers will be gathered? I think this is a great opportunity to build networks and market the brand. The EFIB has opportunities for placing exhibition areas or sponsorship, this way the company profile could be raised and market opportunities could be created.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Industry Biotech
The so called “White Biotechnology” is the use of living cells—from yeast, moulds, bacteria and plants—and enzymes to synthesize products that are easily degradable, require less energy and create less waste during their production (Embo).
Some examples of industrial biotechnology are: Bio-based polymers (can be used to create more environmental friendly plastic), biological processes for vitamin production, or the use of enzymes for industrial textiles. The existing scope of the Industrial Biotechnology includes:
· Biological feedstock as a renewable resource
· Industrial processes using biological systems
· Biological remediation technologies
This means that Industrial Biotech will have an impact in the raw materials, the industrial production, and the waste management.
The application of biotechnology to industrial production is shows a lot of potential but still many products are not yet economically viable to be launched to the market. Research & Development in this area is still reduced, and a lot of investment is needed to make the break through between scientific discoveries to product launching.
Some examples of industrial biotechnology are: Bio-based polymers (can be used to create more environmental friendly plastic), biological processes for vitamin production, or the use of enzymes for industrial textiles. The existing scope of the Industrial Biotechnology includes:
· Biological feedstock as a renewable resource
· Industrial processes using biological systems
· Biological remediation technologies
This means that Industrial Biotech will have an impact in the raw materials, the industrial production, and the waste management.
Industrial Biotechnology can be really helpful to diminish the environmental problems present in our world. Some of the environmental benefits due to the use of Industrial Biotech are shown in the following table: 
osufpowejofjowjfojgojre Image by http://www.europabio.org/TPWhite/2Bio4EU_industrial_OW_Apr07.pdf
As shown before, biotechnology can be applied in areas diverse areas such as textile, paper and cleaning industries, and will have positive environmental impacts. Enzymes offer a biological route and often cleaner solution for industry than the traditional chemical processes to make products.
As shown before, biotechnology can be applied in areas diverse areas such as textile, paper and cleaning industries, and will have positive environmental impacts. Enzymes offer a biological route and often cleaner solution for industry than the traditional chemical processes to make products.
The application of biotechnology to industrial production is shows a lot of potential but still many products are not yet economically viable to be launched to the market. Research & Development in this area is still reduced, and a lot of investment is needed to make the break through between scientific discoveries to product launching.
Want to know more about this topic?
The European Forum for Industrial Biotechnology 2008 will take place from the 15-17 September in Brussels, Belgium. If you are able to go, don’t miss it! It sounds really promising.
The European Forum for Industrial Biotechnology 2008 will take place from the 15-17 September in Brussels, Belgium. If you are able to go, don’t miss it! It sounds really promising.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
The Project Biotouch
Macarena, here are some thoughts about the "The project Biotouch." The idea with this wiki is to present and profile your project.
- http://digitalvillages.pbwiki.com/Biotouch
- Describing your project
- A profile about you
- Short description of Elias, Juha and Helge
- A short presentation about your University
- The objectives of your project
- We could import Google Maps information
- Google Calendar (a Google Calendar script could be added to the Biotouch blog)
- Maybe a Google Powerpoint as a final presentation (Google Apps.)
- Links to Yahoo Answers
- New information can be added when you want
- You can use the wiki and blog to present your project
Monday, June 2, 2008
Bioheapleaching?
Sounds like a really complicated term and until yesterday I had no idea of what it meant. It looks like some Finnish and Australian companies have been developing a new technology that might be a key factor for the exploitation of mines, and it might start a revolution on mining. It sounds like microbes again are opening new frontiers in another field.
Pacific Ore Limited is an Australian based company that has developed and patented a bacterial leach process for the extraction of base metals fro
m sulphide ores stacked in pre-prepared heaps. On the other hand, Talvivaara Mining Company Plc. is currently developing and exploiting polymetallic deposits, in Sotkamo, Finland, with the use of its new bioheapleaching. According to MineWeb:“Talvivaara aims to become an internationally significant base metals producer with its primary focus on nickel and zinc using a technology known as bioheapleaching to extract metal out of low grade ore. Bioheapleaching makes extraction of metals from low grade ore economically viable.” HERE IT COMES THE IMAGETHERE SHOULD BE MORE SPACE Image by http://www.warwick.ac.uk
Both companies are doing breakthrough developments in the biotechnology area, applying the use of bacteria to the mining field.
But how does bioheapleaching works?
Microbes are used in extracting minerals because they have the ability to oxidise ferrous iron to ferric iron, and sulphur to sulphates. The resulting oxidising conditions dissolve the target metals out of the ore into a solution, from which they can be recovered using conventional methods (HighTech Finland).
IMAGE SHOULD GO HERE Image by http://www.pacificore.com.au/?page=29The technology enables cost effective and environmentally friendly exploitation of the resource using locally occurring bacteria. Pacific Ore claims that this technology has many advantages such as:
· Reducing the environmental impact
· Being simpler to operate
· It is well suited to remote locations
· Producing high value products
The time will let us know if this technology is as useful and advantageous as it is presented, meanwhile let’s wait for new discoveries introducing the use of microbes to technology.
· Reducing the environmental impact
· Being simpler to operate
· It is well suited to remote locations
· Producing high value products
The time will let us know if this technology is as useful and advantageous as it is presented, meanwhile let’s wait for new discoveries introducing the use of microbes to technology.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Solar Energy: The Spanish and German Competition
The solar photovoltaic energy presents itself as one of the most benevolent energies with the environment. The capacity to convert solar light directly into electricity, without emissions of CO2, allows us to visualize a potential solar era to mitigate the global warming.
Nowadays solar energy faces several challenges, the biggest one is decreasing the price per kWh since it is quite high compared to other technologies. According to the ASIF inform each time that the production is doubled the installation cost is reduced in 18%, which means that this issue can be solved by increasing the production of solar photovoltaic energy. Spain and Germany had already started to take measures and they position themselves as the leading countries in the development of solar energy.
Image by http://www.solarbuzz.com
These countries seem to have a competition of who has the largest PV power plant in the world. Germany has a project at Branden where juwi company is installing a 40-megawatt solar power plant using state-of the-art thin-film technology. The juwi group’s philosophy is to produce as quickly as possible solar-generated electricity at competitive prices independently of promotion schemes.
“Within just a few years the price of solar electricity produced on your own rooftop will be cheaper than the power supplied by the energy utilities” says juwi co-founder.
But Spain is striking back, this year a 60 MW solar field is being built in Olmedilla de Alarcón, near Cuenca. The company in charge of this development is NOBESOL, which divided this project in 2 phases: in the first phase they will install 24 MW in a period of 9 months and in the second phase they will install 36 MW in a period of 7 months.
Nowadays solar energy faces several challenges, the biggest one is decreasing the price per kWh since it is quite high compared to other technologies. According to the ASIF inform each time that the production is doubled the installation cost is reduced in 18%, which means that this issue can be solved by increasing the production of solar photovoltaic energy. Spain and Germany had already started to take measures and they position themselves as the leading countries in the development of solar energy.These countries seem to have a competition of who has the largest PV power plant in the world. Germany has a project at Branden where juwi company is installing a 40-megawatt solar power plant using state-of the-art thin-film technology. The juwi group’s philosophy is to produce as quickly as possible solar-generated electricity at competitive prices independently of promotion schemes.
“Within just a few years the price of solar electricity produced on your own rooftop will be cheaper than the power supplied by the energy utilities” says juwi co-founder.
But Spain is striking back, this year a 60 MW solar field is being built in Olmedilla de Alarcón, near Cuenca. The company in charge of this development is NOBESOL, which divided this project in 2 phases: in the first phase they will install 24 MW in a period of 9 months and in the second phase they will install 36 MW in a period of 7 months.
Image by http://www.nobesol.com/
As these countries continue their race to be the world’s leader in production of solar energy other countries seem to be left behind. Maybe is time for more countries to join this promising way of producing energy.
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