There's always a method to the madness, or in this case, a purpose for the research. My research
relates to the problem of alternative energy, as biofuel is currently an
expanding industry, but companies mainly shy away from the ample supply of
cellulosic resources in favor of starchy and sugary feedstocks. These
feedstocks are definitely abundant, but only because they are also consumed by
humans. For this reason, I find that using cellulosic feedstocks would be a
solution for not only the alternative energy demand, but to spare food for the
human population. I myself will be using invasive species of tall grass that
are present in Philadelphia, which will face the issue of invasive plants as
well as provide a supply of cellulosic biomass for ethanol. Because so much of the Earth's biomass is cellulosic, it is tremendous in it's potential for utilization, giving little reason not to tap this diamond in the rough.
References
Onuki S, Koziel K A, van Leeuwen J, et al. Ethanol production, purification, and análisis techniques: a review. ASABE, paper No. 085136, Providence, RI. 2008.
Vaičekonytė, R., Kiviat, E., Nsenga, F. & Ostfeld, A. (2014)
An exploration of common reed (Phragmites australis) bioenergy potential in
North America. Mires and Peat, 13(12), 1–9.
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