The Science of Second Generation Biofuels

By Andrea Kissack on Monday, May 18, 2009.

Biofuel

Corn ethanol has come under scrutiny in recent years. Critics say that using corn for fuel competes with the food supply, driving up prices in hungry nations. Others denounce corn ethanol as an inefficent energy source. Now scientists are discovering how to turn switchgrass and wood chips into fuel, as an alternative to corn.

As part of KQED's Quest series, Andrea Kissack filed this report. You can hear Andrea's piece at the Public Radio Exchange.

Energy Future series

(Photo by Andrea Kissack)

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