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Carbon additive manufacturing emerges as a powerful technique for crafting tunable 3D carbon architectures, employing multiscale arrangement and topological design for mechanical and functional applications. However, the potential of 3D carbon fabrication is constrained when utilizing state‐of‐the‐art feedstock and manufacturing routes. To address these limitations, a 3D carbon fabrication strategy is developed named carbonizable filament technology (CAFIT). In CAFIT, the evolution of high‐loaded carbon composite filaments broadens the capabilities of straightforward 3D printing technology by ensuring structural stability for subsequent post‐carbonization to achieve scalable and engineered 3D carbon structures. This strategy has strengths regarding 1) simplicity, 2) applicability to a variety of carbon materials, and 3) creating nearly replicated 3D carbon structures with multiscale features. The fundamental mechanisms governing the processability of the universal filament and structural change of carbon particles throughout the process using carbon nanotubes as an example are explored. Moreover, through simulation and demonstration, the adaptability of CAFIT is illustrated by utilizing a wide range of carbon materials, including low‐dimensional nano/micro carbons (carbon blacks, carbon nanotubes, and graphenes), as well as carbon fibers, to fabricate 3D architected carbon structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid composites used in material extrusion additive manufacturing have experienced considerable expansion over the past 5 years, incorporating functional properties into 3D‐printed objects. This paper presents a systematic review that aims to: (I) analyze the current state of development in the field; (II) quantify and categorize the adopted polymeric matrices, reinforcing materials, feedstock shapes, characterization strategies, and extrusion mechanisms; and (III) identify the applications, limitations, and trends for future research. The PRISMA statement was followed and the databases Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed were consulted. Among the 116 included studies, the use of customized filaments surpassed the commercially available ones, with particulate matter being the most common form of filler when melt‐mixed with the polymer. Polyamide is the most widely adopted matrix (30.3%), followed by PLA (22.0%) and ABS (17.4%). In terms of reinforcements, carbon fiber (32.4%), glass fiber (12.5%), and ceramics (12.5%) compose the podium as the most frequently used, with nanofillers receiving increasing attention. In the conducted analysis, no standardized protocols were identified that clearly encompassed the entire process from feedstock formulation to technical prototype fabrication. At last, recycling, exploration of biodegradable materials, and 4D printing were identified as the main opportunities for future research. Highlights: Reinforced polymers enable the enhancement of properties for 3D‐printed parts.Composite feedstock is usually formulated and mixed before printing.3D printers with filament‐ or screw‐based extrusion mechanisms have been used.Mechanical and morphological analyses are common in material characterization.No identified applications were employed in real‐world scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays an enormous effort has been made to impulse the incorporation of additive manufacturing (AM) approaches in the biomedical sector. One of the most recognized biomaterials for this end is bioceramics such as hydroxyapatite (HA), but unfortunately, ceramics present a lack of accessible technologies based on AM. Consequently, the development of new methodologies which enable the manufacture of bioceramic‐based scaffolds is imperative. A large number of publications on polymer–ceramic composite processed by Material Extrusion are available, so far, the maximum ceramic loading reached is still a parameter to improve. Recently an alternative colloidal processing technique to prepare ceramic‐based composite feedstock for material extrusion has been proposed. It has been demonstrated that tailoring the surface of the ceramic particles enables the processing of high ceramic loading composites by AM. This article shows the potential of the colloidal approach to process biocompatible PLA/HA feedstock increasing the homogeneity of the bioceramic phase into the composite. The feedstock characterization shows that HA surface modification makes possible the successful dispersion and the ceramic load increase without modifying the biocompatibility. The ceramic load increase does not modify the melting properties of the polymeric matrix required for the 3D printing process. This methodology allows for the first time the development of a final 3D printed composite structure with contents up to 72 wt% of HA by Material Extrusion. This colloidal approach paves the way to transfer the use of additive manufacturing techniques mainly devoted to polymeric biomaterials to other types of biomaterials such as bioceramics. Highlights: A colloidal approach for 3D printing of PLA/HA composites is proposed.HA surface modification made possible a load increase with high dispersion.The characterization of a PLA/HA feedstock for 3D printing is established.Biocompatible PLA/HA feedstock is processed by AM in customized structures.Colloidal approach allows the processing of 3D structures with 72 wt% of HA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Energy Return On Investment (EROI) is a recognised indicator for assessing the relevance of an energy project in terms of net energy delivered to society. For woody biomass divergences remain on the right methodology to assess the EROI leading to large variations in the published estimates. This article presents an in‐depth discussion about the EROI of woody biomass in three different forms: woodchips, pellets and liquid fuels. The conceptualisation of EROI is further developed to reach a consistent definition for biomass post‐processed fuels. It considers, on top of the external energy investments, the grey energy associated with the energy used to enrich the fuel. With the proposed methodology, all woodchips have an EROI of the same order of magnitude, between 20 and 37, depending on forestry types, operations and machineries. For secondary residues, the first estimate is 170 if, as co‐products, no energy investment is allocated to the forestry operations and transport. On the basis of a mass allocation for forestry operations and transport, the EROI for secondary residues becomes of the same order of magnitude as that for wood chips. Woodchips can be further post‐processed into pellets or liquid fuels. Pellets have an EROI of 4–7 if the heat is externally supplied and 8–23 if internally supplied (self‐consumption of part of the raw material). Liquid fuels derived from primary wood and residues through gasification and Fischer‐Tropsch synthesis have an EROI between 4 and 16. Fuel enhancement with hydrogen (Power & Biomass to Liquids) impacts negatively the EROI due to the low EROI of hydrogen produced from renewable electricity. However, these fuels offer other advantages such as improved carbon efficiency. A correct estimate of EROI for forestry biomass, as proposed in this work, is a necessary dimension in assessing the suitability of a project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The selective oxidation of 5‐(Hydroxymethyl)furfural (HMF) to 2,5‐Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) is highly attractive for the production of renewable monomers as substitute for fossil‐based monomers. To achieve a sustainable synthesis, we report on advances for a base‐free approach, reducing waste from the process, using air as oxidant and heterogeneous catalysts. Various Carbon‐based supports, which can be bio‐sourced and cost‐efficient, for Pt particles were investigated as they allow for an easy reuse and at the end‐of‐life Pt can be recycled to enable a closed cycle. Commercially available supports with varying properties, which might replace the base, were studied with Pt particles of similar size and loading. Significant differences in the catalytic activity were observed, which were correlated with the O‐functionalities and graphitization degree of the supports derived from Raman spectroscopy, temperature‐programmed desorption, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. An activated carbon (Norit ROX) rich in quinone/pyrone‐type groups and a carbon black‐based catalyst with graphene‐layers pushed the efficiency with enhanced FDCA‐yields enabling the complete substitution of the homogeneous base. This allows to circumvent the base in this process which together with high selectivity, air as oxidant, a reusable catalyst, and the use of bio‐based feedstock contributes to the sustainability of the production of renewable monomers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to characterize ruminal degradation, intestinal digestion and total true nutrient supply to dairy cows from canola feedstock (canola seeds) and coproducts (meal and pellets) from bio‐oil processing which were impacted by source origin. The feedstocks and coproducts (mash, pellet) were randomly collected from five different bio‐oil processing plants with five different batches of samples in each bio‐processing plant in Canada (CA) and China (CH). In situ rumen degradation kinetics were determined using four fistulated Holstein cows with incubation times at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 h. Intestinal digestions were determined using the three‐step in vitro method with preincubation at 12 h. The DVE/OEB and National Research Council systems were applied to evaluate the truly absorbable nutrient supply to dairy cows and feed milk values (FMVs). The results showed that in situ undegradable fractions (U) (p = 0.025) were higher in CA meals, and potentially degradable fraction of D was higher (p = 0.016) in CH meals. CH meals had higher total digestible dry matter (TDDM, p = 0.018) and intestinal digestibility of protein (dIDP, p = 0.016). Canola meals from CA had lower MREE (microbial protein synthesized in the rumen based on available rumen degradable protein; p = 0.011) and DVME (rumen synthesized microbial protein digested in the small intestine; p = 0.011) and had higher ECP (endogenous protein in the small intestine, p = 0.001) and absorbed endogenous crude protein (truly absorbed ECP in the small intestine) than CH (p = 0.001). The FMV evaluated based on the metabolic protein and net energy showed no differences between CA and CH in both coproducts and feedstocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon‐free aluminum electrolysis is crucial for achieving the low‐carbon development and carbon neutrality in the future aluminum industry. NiFe2O4‐based cermet is the potential candidate of inert anode, benefiting from the satisfactory corrosion resistance and high‐temperature conductivity. Herein, complex‐shaped 25(Cu–20Ni)/(NiFe2O4–10NiO) cermets were fabricated via a plastic shaping method using the polyformaldehyde (POM)‐based granular feedstock. The feedstock showed uniform microstructure with evenly dispersed powders wrapped in polymers, which exhibited shear‐thinning behavior during molding. Roles of the feedstock with different powder loadings in the morphology and bending strength of the cermets were investigated. High‐precision gear parts exhibited no deformation, a high relative density over 98%. Investigation of different powder loadings revealed that parts prepared with a 56 vol% loading demonstrate the excellent performance, and possessed an impressive flexural strength of 178.4 MPa. This achievement provided a foundation for the future utilization of complex‐shaped inert anode material components in industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study focuses on the development of innovative bio‐based filaments using new natural lignocellulosic particles obtained from the bark of the Morinda citrifolia L. plant as reinforcement. Polylactic acid (PLA 4043D) filaments with a diameter of 1.75 mm were produced by varying the volume fraction of M. citrifolia bark particles (MCBP) in three compositions (i.e., 0%, 3%, and 6%). These filaments were then used to print test specimens, which underwent quasi‐static mechanical tests (i.e., tensile and flexural; thermal characterization, thermo‐mechanical tests, and visco‐elastic analysis). The experimental findings demonstrated a remarkable improvement in the tensile strength (i.e., +15%) when the PLA was reinforced with 6% in volume of lignocellulosic particles. Additionally, 3% MCBP and 6% MCBP composites showed substantial increases in flexural strength and modulus (i.e., +25% and +34%), respectively; in comparison to the neat matrix. Moreover, the 3D‐printed composites exhibited significant enhancements in storage modulus, glass transition temperature, and structural stability at elevated temperatures. Hence, this work highlights the potential of the developed bio‐based filaments as feedstock filament material, enabling the production of various customized lightweight products in the automotive and sports industries like cycling helmets, protective guards, knee guards, etc. Highlights: Innovative bio‐based filaments are developed for FDM 3D printing.Morinda citrifolia bark particles (MCBPs) reduce warping risk in PLA printing.The hot crystallization enthalpy of PLA increases with the addition of MCBP.6% MCBP‐PLA exhibits the best mechanical performances.MCBP reinforcement reduces the thermal expansion of PLA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased food, feed, and biofuel demands of the future will require a greater reliance upon crop production systems in arid and semi‐arid regions around the world. Diminishing freshwater resources and hotter and drier climatic conditions will also necessitate the use of highly drought tolerant and water‐use efficient crops. Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus‐indica) is a low‐water input, climate‐resilient crop capable of high biomass production due to its use of crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM). Cactus pear produces both food and forage/fodder, a wide variety of high‐value byproducts, and serves as a bioenergy feedstock for biogas or bioethanol production. Here, we evaluated the biomass productivity of 14 Opuntia spp. accessions from the National Arid Land Plant Genetic Resources Unit (NALPGRU) in Parlier, CA under semi‐arid conditions with a planting density of 6667 plants ha−1 over a 3‐year period to identify high‐yielding biomass producers. Mean annual cladode fresh weight (CFW) (73.7 Mg ha−1 year−1), cladode dry weight (CDW) (5.2 Mg ha−1 year−1), and cladode count (CC) (10.5 cladodes plant−1) increased by 2.9‐, 2.8‐, and 2.8‐fold in year 3 compared with year 1. PARL 845, hybrid no. 46 (O. ficus‐indica × O. lindheimerii), showed the highest annual mean CFW (152.8 Mg ha−1 year−1), CDW (13.3 Mg ha−1 year−1), CC (22.1 cladodes plant−1), and dry matter content (DMC, 11.2%) among all accessions tested. Non‐hybrid accessions PARL 242 (O. cochenillifera), PARL 582 (Opuntia sp.), and PARL 584 (Opuntia sp.) showed 100% cladode establishment rates and CDW productivity of >6 Mg ha−1 year−1. Such biomass productivity results indicate that cactus pear displays great potential as a crop with many uses with lower water inputs than conventional crops for arid and semi‐arid environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In transitioning to a carbon‐neutral chemical industry, the intake of fossil feedstocks will have to be reduced by maximizing end‐of‐life product recycling and introducing alternative feedstocks based on renewable carbon. This perspective article analyses the potential of domestically grown and sourced woody biomass for the supply of renewable carbon for chemicals in Europe. The European chemical industry can become a major consumer of woody biomass in a context where burning wood for energy production is viewed as an unsustainable practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercial cultivation of edible mushrooms utilizes a large amount of lignocellulosic material as a substrate. After harvest, the leftover substrate, referred to as a spent mushroom substrate (SMS), largely remains biochemically unaltered. In light of the global rise in the number of edible mushroom production facilities, it is pertinent to sustainably manage the by‐products of the mushroom production process, particularly SMS. Following the principles of the circular economy, SMS has shown potential for a variety of applications: SMS can be used as substrate for a new cycle of mushroom cultivation or as animal feed, fertilizer, soil amendment, bioremediation agent or a substrate for renewable energy production such as biogas, bioethanol, biohydrogen, solid biofuel, bio‐crude and bio‐oil. This article summarizes the current state of knowledge in various applications, highlights recent developments in the field, discusses potential barriers and offers suggestions for the long‐term growth of the mushroom industry worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shape memory epoxy vitrimers and their composites are candidate materials for multiple engineering applications due to the commercial availability of their precursors combined with their functionality, mechanical properties, and recyclability. However, the manufacturing of vitrimer composites through conventional mould‐casting limits the flexibility in the design of complex parts. In this work feedstock inks are formulated based on reduced graphene oxide and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) to 3D‐print epoxy vitrimer‐based composites by direct ink writing (DIW). The introduction of hBN platelets (up to 22 vol.%) and their alignment during printing enhances the fracture resistance of the material and induces directional thermal transport. The in‐plane thermal conductivities (3 W m−1 K−1) are nearly one order of magnitude higher than the matrix material. The high conductivity results in faster actuation times and can be combined with the printing process to build structures designed to manage heat flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Formamide (HCONH2), a well‐known organic compound in chemistry and biology, can be employed for molecular construction. The chemistry of formamide, which involves condensation reactions, transamidation reactions, cross‐coupling reactions, and radical reactions, can be explored to synthesize more complex organic compounds. The focus of this review is to discuss the widespread use of formamide as a relevant C‐1 building block in organic synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomass is an attractive raw material for the production of fuel oil and chemical intermediates due to its abundant reserves, low price, easy biodegradability, and renewable use. Hydroxymethylfurfural (5‐HMF) is a valuable platform chemically derived from biomass that has gained significant research interest owing to its economic and environmental benefits. In this review, recent advances in biomass catalytic conversion systems for 5‐HMF production were examined with a focus on the catalysts selection and feedstocks' impact on the 5‐HMF selectivity and yield. Specifically, the potential of zeolite‐based catalysts for efficient biomass catalysis was evaluated given their unique pore structure and tunable (Lewis and Brønsted) acidity. The benefits of hierarchical modifications and the interactions between porosity and acidity in zeolites, which are critical factors for the development of green catalytic systems to convert biomass to 5‐HMF efficiently, were summarized and assessed. This Review suggests that zeolite‐based catalysts hold significant promise in facilitating the sustainable utilization of biomass resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an in‐depth study of the sterically demanding Cp‐synthon (8‐H‐GuaH)Li isolated from natural product guaiazulene (Gua) as a ligand transfer reagent towards late transition metal complex precursors. The synthesis and full characterization of selected, essentially unexplored homo‐ and heteroleptic 8‐H‐guaiazulenide complexes of iron, ruthenium, cobalt, rhodium, platinum, copper and zinc are discussed in detail. In order to demonstrate their potential in catalytic applications, [(GuaH)PtMe3] was selected. The latter proved an even higher catalytic activity in light induced olefin hydrosilylation at catalyst loads as low as 5 ppm than classical [CpPtMe3] in a typical test reaction of silicone elastomer fabrication. Our results demonstrate that traditional petrochemical based Cp metal chemistry and catalysis can be replaced, sometimes even outmatched by superior catalysts based on cheap building blocks from renewable feedstock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An electrooxidative reconstruction of the indole core under ambient conditions is reported, resulting in the construction of tryptanthrins. This electrochemical strategy simplifies molecular skeleton‐hopping by employing commercially available NH‐indole feedstock as the starting materials. Furthermore, the synthetic value of this skeletal reconstruction was demonstrated by divergent further transformations. A preliminary mechanistic investigation involving control experiments and cyclovoltammetric studies showed the indispensability of electricity, as well as the importance of oxygen and TEMPO, thereby revealing a possible reaction pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The additive manufacturing of continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastics (CFRTPs) paves way for the high‐strength, light‐weight components for variety of load‐bearing applications. In this work, the continuous carbon fiber reinforced PA6 (CCF‐PA6) composites was successfully printed from the prepreg filament. The prepreg filament was prepared in‐house by impregnating the heat‐and‐acid treated 1 K carbon fiber bundle with the molten PA6. The tensile strength of the prepreg filament, which contained with 40 vol% CF, reached 984 MPa. The unidirectional CCF‐PA6 specimens were subsequently 3D‐printed with the prepreg filament, and the mechanical strength of those 3D‐printed specimens were tunable by adjusting a set of printing parameters, such as layer thickness, hatch spacing and printing temperatures. The highest tensile strength of the specimen reached 555 MPa. Those specimens also exhibited outstanding mechanical strength at elevated temperatures, still reaching 184 MPa at 150°C. The mechanical strength of those specimens was dependent on the content of the fiber. This study can hopefully provide new insights for feedstock design and spur novel ideas in tailoring the mechanical properties of the 3D‐printed CFRTPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiesel is a green and renewable alternative energy source which can be produced through lipase‐catalyzed transesterification process. Enzymatic biodiesel production has generated much interest owing to its environmentally friendly process, low wastewater treatment requirements and easy product separation. In this work, we attempt to review some of the recent patents and state‐of‐the‐art technology in lipase‐catalyzed transesterification for biodiesel production including feedstock, lipases, novel carriers and process factors. This work will provide useful guidance for researchers to develop cost efficient process for production of biodiesels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of a defined impurity on the network characteristics of vitrimers made from an epoxidized eugenol derivative and various dicarboxylic acids is reported. One major characteristic of the monomer is the fact that it is not "clean" but rather is a mixture of the mono and diepoxidized eugenol derivatives. Mixtures like this could be thought to be representative of many technical grade compounds and the current system therefore serves as a model system to evaluate the effect of epoxide mixtures on the synthesis and the properties of the final vitrimers. The vitrimer preparation is found to be not affected by the different epoxy fractions, but in terms of the properties, there is an effect on the glass transition temperature both with the type of dicarboxylic acid but also with the level of epoxy functionalities present in the system. In spite of this, the ability of the vitrimer to perform the exchange reaction is not affected and all vitrimers can be reshaped or reprocessed showing that the processing is not affected by the changes in epoxy purity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Torrefaction is a thermal procedure used to convert biomass into a substance resembling coal that possesses superior fuel properties compared to the original biomass. Torrefied biomass is hydrophobic and has a greater energy density, making it more advantageous for handling and storage. The purpose of this investigation is to establish a simulation model of the torrefaction process utilizing Malaysian biomass and optimize it for mass yield and energy consumption. Additionally, the objective is to integrate the optimized torrefaction process into an existing biomass power plant. By retrofitting a biomass‐based power generation facility with torrefaction technology, the existing feedstock can be upgraded before sending it to the power plant. Essentially, torrefaction technology represents an enhancement of biomass utilization technology, ultimately allowing for the maximum application of biomass energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic engineering for hyperaccumulation of lipids in vegetative tissues of high biomass crops promises a step change in oil yields for the production of advanced biofuels. Energycane is the ideal feedstock for this approach due to its exceptional biomass production and persistence under marginal conditions. Here, we evaluated metabolically engineered energycane with constitutive expression of the lipogenic factors WRINKLED1 (WRI1), DIACYLGLYCEROL ACYLTRANSFERASE1 (DGAT1), and OLEOSIN1 (OLE1) for the accumulation of triacylglycerol (TAG), total fatty acid (TFA), and biomass under field conditions at the University of Florida‐IFAS experiment station near Citra, Florida. TAG and TFA accumulation were highest in leaves (up to 9.9% and 12.9% of DW, respectively), followed by juice from crushed stems, stems, and roots. TAG and TFA accumulation increased up to harvest time and correlated highest with OLE1 and DGAT1 expression. Biomass dry weight, TAG, and TFA content differed greatly depending on DGAT1 and OLE1 expression in transgenic lines with similar WRI1 expression. Biomass did not significantly differ between WT and line L2 with DAGT1 and OLE1 expressed at low levels and TAG and TFA accumulating to 12‐ and 1.6‐fold that of WT leaves, respectively. In contrast, line L13, with intron‐mediated enhancement of DGAT1 expression, displayed a 245‐ to 330‐fold increase in TAG and a 4.75‐ to 6.45‐fold increase in TFA content compared with WT leaves and a biomass reduction of 52%. These results provide the basis for developing novel feedstocks for expanding plant lipid production and point to new prospects for advanced biofuels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to investigate the economic feasibility of the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of waste corn stover. Two different cases of HTC of waste corn stover were considered for a 544 320 kg day−1 as‐received corn stover plant. Case I assumed a batch HTC process, and case II assumed a continuous HTC process. The results show that both cases were economically feasible; however, case I reached the break‐even point at 3 years whereas case II reached the break‐even point at 4 years. Case I also showed greater return on investment (5.02) than case II (3.98) at the end of the 20 year project life, including 26.6% lower total capital investment. About 73% of fixed capital cost came from investment in the reactor alone for case I, whereas 63% came from the reactor for case II. The break‐even selling price of the product was found to be $86.1/kg. A sensitivity analysis showed that the break‐even selling price of the product was the most sensitive to the variation of the cost of corn stover and the least sensitive to variation in the tipping income. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The southeastern USA has the potential to be a significant producer of bio‐based products; however, research is still needed to demonstrate the most cost‐effective feedstock delivery system for this region. A logistic system that has shown promise is one utilizing a network of supply depots. This study calculated the cost to produce a stream of size‐reduced herbaceous biomass (i.e., switchgrass) for five theoretical depots in the Piedmont province. Three depots were located in south central Virginia and two in north central North Carolina. A logistics system with a 20‐bale handling unit was used for load‐out operations at 199 theoretical satellite storage locations (SSLs) within a 48 km radius of each depot location. The distribution of potential production fields and the transportation distance from SSLs to the depots were determined with spatial and network analyses. Based on an analysis of potential land cover available for feedstock production, the annual capacity per depot ranged from 80 839 to 170 830 Mg, resulting in a total annual capacity of 555 195 Mg for all five depots. Cost to deliver feedstock for 24/7 operation, 48 weeks per year ranged from 46.03 to 62.86 USD Mg−1 annual capacity. At the low end, these costs were: SSL operation (22%), truck (29%), receiving facility (26%), and debaling‐size‐reduction (23%). The principle economy‐of‐scale factors were the receiving facility and debaling‐size‐reduction costs. To minimize per‐Mg cost, depot capacity should be chosen such that equipment can be operated as close to 80% of design capacity as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Paris agreement on climate change requires rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. One important mitigation strategy, at least in the intermediate future, is the substitution of fossil fuels with bioenergy. However, using agriculture‐ and forest‐derived biomass for energy has sparked controversy regarding both the climate mitigation potential and conflicts with biodiversity conservation. The urgency of the climate crisis calls for using forests for carbon sequestration and storage rather than for bioenergy, making agricultural biomass an attractive alternative for fossil energy substitution. However, this calls for comprehensive assessments of its sustainability in terms of consequences for biodiversity and ecosystem services. In this review, we provide a first holistic overview of the impacts on ecosystems of land‐use changes from bioenergy crop production in temperate climates, by synthesizing results on both biodiversity and ecosystem service impacts. We found that bioenergy‐related land‐use changes can have both positive and negative effects on ecosystems, with original land use, bioenergy crop type and scale of bioenergy production being important moderators of impacts. Despite the risk of opportunity cost for food production, perennial crop cultivation on arable land had the lowest occurrence of negative impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Growing biomass for bioenergy on surplus land has been suggested as a way to alleviate competition with food production and biodiversity conservation, but our results demonstrate that utilizing marginal or abandoned land for bioenergy crop production cannot fully resolve these trade‐offs. Furthermore, there is a lack of empirical studies of the biodiversity value of marginal and abandoned land, limiting our understanding of the sustainability implications of biomass cultivation on surplus land. We argue that future research and policies for bioenergy production must explicitly consider biodiversity and ecosystem services in combination to avoid potential trade‐offs between the two and to ensure sustainable bioenergy production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the benefits of biofuels over conventional fuels, there is concern that widespread production of biofuels from edible feedstocks to meet demand will lead to food insecurity and other socioeconomic challenges. Thus, the goal of this research is to look into the techno‐economic potential of non‐edible oilseed plants and agricultural wastes as primary feedstocks for biofuel production in Africa. The inability of biofuel to cope in the fuel market has been demonstrated to be due to the high production costs, which limit profitability because the end price is heavily influenced by that of conventional fuel. However, the high production costs are entirely due not only to components such as feedstock, conversion processes, and infrastructure but also to a lack of techno‐economic assessment (TEA). African biofuel production can be competitively industrialized through the adoption of strong supportive policies and programs. Adoption of these policies and programs is critical for capitalizing on the benefits of non‐edible feedstocks in biofuel production while also boosting rural development through job creation. Techno‐economic assessment of conversion processes and infrastructure is recommended to provide a clear picture of the techno‐economic aspects, serving as a blueprint for the design of biofuel production facilities. Further, TEA has been shown to be a useful tool in the development process of new technologies aimed at lowering overall production costs and making biofuel more affordable. The combination of TEA and enabling policies and programs will increase the price competitiveness of biofuels, allowing them to capture a sizable share of the fuel market. © 2023 Society of Industrial Chemistry and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiesel produced from different edible and non‐edible feedstocks is a viable alternative option for fueling a combustion engine. However, the widespread use of edible sources for biodiesel production may lead to food versus fuel controversy. Oil from non‐edible feedstock is best possible solution for problems that inhibits biodiesel production on commercial scale. This study presents the potential of different non‐edible feedstock for biodiesel production. Several aspects such as extraction technologies used for extracting oil from non‐edible sources and biodiesel production pathways from non‐edible feedstocks are discussed. The quality of biodiesel should be assured before its commercialization by different physical and chemical characterization techniques are used. In particular, the emission comparison of biodiesel derived from the different non‐edible feedstocks is discussed. Based on this study, the non‐edible feedstocks have the potential to produce biodiesel but still it has a long way to go. This is due to non‐edible feedstock is in the R&D phase and needs more research to eliminate additional treatment steps compared to edible feedstock for economic aspects. Furthermore, there has been a trade off in emission properties of biodiesels produced from non‐edible feedstocks which must be removed or evaluated for pilot scale investigations before commercialization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To establish a circular economy the chemical recycling of plastic waste seems to be crucial as contaminated waste streams cannot be easily recycled by mechanical processes. Some plastic components and contaminants cause severe problems in thermo‐chemical processes and the refining of the intermediates, which leads to a crucial waste pretreatment. Therefore, robust and efficient conversion methods have to be developed. A contribution to this, a new concept regarding the catalytic conversion of plastic waste, the necessary refining steps and ecological considerations, is proposed in this work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study elucidates key parameters allowing the electrochemical valorization of cellobiose, by creating value‐added products by both, anodic oxidation, and cathodic reduction. We demonstrate the first electrochemical reduction of cellobiose to cellobitol in a divided cell using Pb as cathode, leading up to 49 % conversion, though with long reaction times (over 26 h) and low coulombic efficiency (CE ${CE}$) of 4 %. The successful synthesis of cellobionic acid was demonstrated by mediated oxidation in an undivided electrochemical cell, using a graphite anode and CaBr2 as electrocatalytic mediator. Cellobiose oxidation was highly selective, allowing for up to 92 % conversion to cellobionic acid at 48 % CE ${CE}$ when using a charge of 2 FE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The overall photocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (PCRR), which uses solar energy to convert CO2 and H2O into chemical feedstocks or fuels without sacrificial reagents, plays a momentous role in CO2 utilization and solar energy conversion. However, significant challenges remain in achieving efficient conversion. Researchers have explored various strategies to realize the overall PCRR efficiently. In this Review, we first explain the criteria for evaluating the overall PCRR and then summarize the following strategies developed over the past decade to promote it: self‐driving material development, Z‐scheme heterojunction construction, cocatalyst loading, heteroatom doping, surface vacancy creation, and carrier‐material matching. Finally, we discuss essential future research directions in the field. Through this comprehensive Review, we aim to provide strategic guidance for the development of efficient overall PCRR systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal‐free catalytic systems (MFCS) have emerged as sustainable and cost‐efficient heterogeneous catalysts, particularly in the case of carbonaceous materials with oxygen, nitrogen, boron, sulfur or phosphorus functionalities. This contribution aims to provide a general overview of the recent advances on the design of such materials, with emphasis on those derived from biomass waste and on the relationship between their structure and their activity. The opportunities of using MFCS in different areas of catalysis, including thermo‐, electro‐, and photo‐catalysis, will be addressed for applications towards the upgrading of renewable feedstocks. This analysis will describe sustainable approaches not only with respect to the nature of catalyst but also for the employment of non‐toxic and sustainable precursors, and for the efficiency of the synthetic protocol and its carbon footprint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of biorefineries is a crucial step in the circular economy framework. In biorefineries, research is intensified towards utilizing feedstocks, which do not need arable land or compete with food sources. In this scenario, emerged, submerged and free‐floating aquatic plants are garnering significant attention as potential feedstocks owing to their generation in huge quantities, especially in eutrophic water bodies, similar composition to lignocellulosic biomass with lower lignin content and requirement for only mild pre‐treatments. Therefore, exploring the feasibility of using these aquatic plants for the production of various biocommodities in a biorefinery approach can be of prime importance. In light of this, the current review illustrates the use of some of the major aquatic plants for the production of different biocommodities. The main focus of the study is to shed light on the various biorefinery schemes that could be implemented using these aquatic plants. It also outlines the challenges and prospects of aquatic plant‐based biorefineries. The findings suggest that various biorefinery schemes can be implemented using these aquatic plants and a combination of chemical and biological processes could aid in lowering the cost and achieving better yields. Furthermore, it is also observed that research on large‐scale management and valorization of these aquatic plants also needs to be intensified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the potential of using coconut fatty acid distillate (CFAD), a by‐product of the processing of edible oils, as a diesel engine fuel. The major novelty of this study is to assess the CFAD as a viable feedstock of biodiesel to address global energy demands. CFAD has not been specifically researched as a feedstock for producing biodiesel or as a fuel for diesel engines, despite the fact that numerous studies on the production and performance of biodiesel have already been conducted. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, gas chromatography (GC), and FTIR were used to analyze the fuel. According to the results of the GC test, CFAD oil contains 91.53% saturated fatty acids, compared with only 8.47% unsaturated fatty acids. High saturation values can be seen in myristic acid (16.92%) and lactic acid (45.33%). Longer hydrocarbon chain lengths indicate higher energy density and boiling point, which also indicate lesser volatility. At a frequency of 1708.54 cm−1, C─H stretching vibrations have been identified through FTIR investigation. The vibrations of C─C stretching at 1465.47 cm−1 indicate the presence of alkenes/fingerprint phase. The blends used for this investigation include 90% diesel with 10% CFAD (CFAD10), 80% diesel with 20% CFAD (CFAD20), 70% diesel with 30% CFAD (CFAD30), and 100% CFAD. The CFAD 10%, 20%, and 30% blends as well as the CFAD100 had brake thermal efficiency values of 27.24%, 26.23%, 24.88%, and 21.52%, correspondingly, at full load. The average increment in brake‐specific energy consumption for CFAD10, CFAD20, CFAD30, and CFAD100 over diesel fuel was 8.23%, 10.88%, 13.77%, and 25.90%, respectively. The behavior of CFAD exhibits reduced cylinder pressure because of the large content of moderate saturated fatty acids in this substance. The net heat release rate (NHRR) and cylinder pressure have a similar relationship in that the NHRR increases with increasing diesel volume. In comparison to diesel, the CO emissions from the CFAD20, CFAD30, and CFAD100 blends increased by 10.79%, 16.66%, and 35.89% at maximum load, respectively. It has been reported that NOx is reduced more significantly the more CFAD is present in the mixture. The blend CFAD10 had the least amount of smoke. The high viscosity of the CFAD and its blends influences the fuel droplets range and the development of spray in the cylinder, which results in delayed combustion and higher unburned hydrocarbon emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additive manufacturing (AM) is being used more widely because of the simplicity of the operating procedures. It decreases material consumption during part production and eliminates material waste. Fused deposition modeling (FDM), a well‐known AM process, uses thermoplastic polymer as a feedstock to manufacture the end design. Pure thermoplastic‐based products are still utilized as prototypes in several sectors due to their lack of strength and durability. This problem has been solved by strengthening the thermoplastics by adding a reinforcing element. Composites are made of polymers and various constituents known as reinforcing components. This article overviews natural reinforced polymer composites used in the FDM process. Mechanical and Thermal properties are presented based on natural filler percentage, and this article only considered natural composite filaments for the FDM process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The miniaturization and mobility of nuclear reactors have become an important trend in the development of nuclear energy. In order to simplify the design of shielding materials with improved complexity and reduced weight, 3D B4C‐W‐based composites were fabricated via fused deposition molding using highly‐filled granular feedstocks containing 62 vol% B4C‐W powders (boron carbide accounted for 30 wt% and tungsten for 70 wt%) and 38 vol% polymer binders (60 wt% Carnauba wax, 22 wt% polypropylene, 13 wt% polystyrene, and 5 wt% stearic acid). The rheological properties and microstructure of the feedstock and extruded filaments were clarified. Roles of the printing parameters including extrusion temperature, platform temperature and deposited‐layer height in the morphology of 3D composites were investigated in detail. Extruded filaments with good shape retention, dense fracture surface, and uniformly dispersed B4C‐W grains were achieved, benefiting from the smooth printing and shear thinning behaviour of the feedstock. Defects including warping, small pores or stacking pores could be formed under improper printing parameters, owing to the poor bonding strength between deposited layers induced by thermal internal stress or decomposition of wax. 3D composites with large size of 130 × 130 × 5 mm were fabricated, which showed a satisfactory compressive strength of 34.8 MPa. This work showed a facile route to fabricate 3D radiation shielding materials based on highly‐filled polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioenergy could help limit global warming to 2°C above pre‐industrial levels while supplying almost a fourth of the world's renewable energy needs by 2050. However, the deployment of bioenergy raises concerns that adoption at meaningful scales may lead to unintended negative environmental consequences. Meanwhile, the full consolidation of a bioenergy industry is currently challenged by a sufficient, resilient, and resource‐efficient biomass supply and an effective conversion process. Here, we provide a comprehensive analysis of how stable isotope approaches have accelerated the development of a robust bioeconomy by advancing knowledge about environmental sustainability, feedstock development, and biological conversion. We show that advances in stable isotope research have generated crucial information to (1) gain mechanistic insight into the potential of bioenergy crops to mitigate climate change as well as their impact on water and nutrient cycling; (2) develop high‐yielding, resilient feedstocks that produce high‐value bioproducts in planta; and (3) engineer microbes to enhance feedstock conversion to bioenergy products. Further, we highlight knowledge gaps that could benefit from future research facilitated by stable isotope approaches. We conclude that advances in mechanistic knowledge and innovations within the field of stable isotopes in cross‐disciplinary research actions will greatly contribute to breaking down the barriers to establishing a robust bioeconomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reduction of esters and aldehydes to alcohols is an important reaction in the chemical industry to produce a wide range of bulk and fine chemicals. Herein, the unexpected behavior of three state‐of‐the‐art, commercially available Ru‐catalysts for the hydrogenation of these feedstocks is reported. For ester and aldehydes containing a C=C bond, it was possible to carry out the selective hydrogenation of the ester or aldehyde functionality while keeping the C=C double‐bond essentially untouched. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that these substrates can be reduced under very mild reaction conditions (as low as 40 °C and 5 bar of H2) and that anisole, a solvent with a high sustainability rank, is suitable for these catalytic hydrogenations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a AuI complex of a hemi‐labile (C^N) N‐heterocyclic carbene ligand that is able to mediate oxidative addition of aryl iodides. Detailed computational and experimental investigations have been undertaken to verify and rationalize the oxidative addition process. Application of this initiation mode has resulted in the first examples of "exogenous oxidant‐free" AuI/AuIII catalyzed 1,2‐oxyarylations of ethylene and propylene. These demanding yet powerful processes establish these commodity chemicals as nucleophilic‐electrophilic building blocks in catalytic reaction design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a AuI complex of a hemi‐labile (C^N) N‐heterocyclic carbene ligand that is able to mediate oxidative addition of aryl iodides. Detailed computational and experimental investigations have been undertaken to verify and rationalize the oxidative addition process. Application of this initiation mode has resulted in the first examples of "exogenous oxidant‐free" AuI/AuIII catalyzed 1,2‐oxyarylations of ethylene and propylene. These demanding yet powerful processes establish these commodity chemicals as nucleophilic‐electrophilic building blocks in catalytic reaction design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Switchgrass (SG) is considered a model bioenergy crop and a warm‐season perennial grass (WSPG) that traditionally served as forage feedstock in the United States. To avoid the sole dependence on SG for bioenergy production, evaluation of other crops to diversify the pool of feedstock is needed. We conducted a 3‐year field experiment evaluating eastern gamagrass (GG), another WSPG, as complementary feedstock to SG in one‐ and two‐cut systems, with or without intercropping with crimson clover or hairy vetch, and under different nitrogen (N) application rates. Our results showed that GG generally produced lower biomass (by 29.5%), theoretical ethanol potential (TEP, by 2.8%), and theoretical ethanol yield (TEY, by 32.9%) than corresponding SG under the same conditions. However, forage quality measures, namely acid detergent fiber (ADF), crude protein (CP), and elements P, K, Ca, and Mg were significantly higher in GG than those in SG. Nitrogen fertilizer significantly enhanced biomass (by 1.54 Mg ha−1), lignin content (by 2.10 g kg−1), and TEY (787.12 L ha−1) in the WSPGs compared to unfertilized treatments. Intercropping with crimson clover or hairy vetch did not significantly increase biomass of the WSPGs, or TEP and TEY in unfertilized plots. This study demonstrated that GG can serve as a complementary crop to SG and could be used as a dual‐purpose crop for bioenergy and forage feedstock in farmers' rotations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical dearomative spirocyclization serves as a green and sustainable approach to convert the flat, two‐dimension aromatic feedstock into the value‐added three‐dimension spirocyclic architectures. This review highlights the recent advances, emphasizes mechanistic discussions, and showcases synthetic applications of this emerging versatile and powerful transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The state‐of‐technology for corn stover harvest is a multi‐pass system that collects the stover after grain harvest. An alternative is a single‐stream system where the grain and stover are harvested as a bulk material co‐stored and preserved by anerobic fermentation, and finally, co‐transported to a biorefinery. In the present work, four single‐pass whole‐plant bulk systems were compared with a conventional multi‐pass bale system. The single‐stream systems consisted of the harvest of corn grain and a portion of the stover fraction. Four machine configurations were simulated. This work predicted that a multi‐pass bale system would result in a material cost of 111.80 $2021 Mg–1 stover DM delivered to the biorefinery gate. Alternatively, the lowest cost single‐stream system was the self‐propelled forage harvester (SPFH) configured with the whole‐plant header, which delivered feedstock for 74.76 $2021 Mg stover DM–1. In addition to machine configuration, a sensitivity analysis was performed to understand important drivers of feedstock cost. These analyses revealed that feedstock cost increased with moisture content, fertilizer price, and biorefinery size, and decreased with harvest season length, crop yield, and grower participation. This work demonstrated that single‐stream systems could reduce corn stover feedstock costs in comparison with state‐of‐technology systems. © 2022 The Authors. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining published by Society of Industrial Chemistry and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co‐firing residual lignocellulosic biomass with fossil fuels is often used to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, especially in processes like cement production where fuel costs are critical and residual biomass can be obtained at a low cost. Since plants remove CO2 from the atmosphere, CO2 emissions from biomass combustion are often assumed to have zero global warming potential (GWPbCO2= 0) and do not contribute to climate forcing. However, diverting residual biomass to energy use has recently been shown to increase the atmospheric CO2 load when compared to business‐as‐usual (BAU) practices, resulting in GWPbCO2 values between 0 and 1. A detailed process model for a natural gas‐fired cement plant producing 4200 megagrams of clinker per day was used to calculate the material and energy flows, as well as the lifecycle emissions associated with cement production without and with diverted biomass (supplying 50% of precalciner energy demand) from forestry and landfill sources. Biomass co‐firing reduced natural gas demand in the precalciner of the cement plant by 39% relative to the reference scenario (100% natural gas), but the total demands for thermal, electrical, and diesel (transportation) energy increased by at least 14%. Assuming GWPbCO2 values of zero for biomass combustion, cement's lifecycle GHG intensity changed from the reference (natural gas only) plant by −40, −23, and − 89 kg CO2/Mg clinker for diverted biomass from slash burning, forest floor and landfill biomass, respectively. However, using the calculated GWPbCO2 values for diverted biomass from these same fuel sources, the lifecycle GHG intensities changes were −37, +20 and +28 kg CO2/Mg clinker, respectively. The switch from decreasing to increasing cement plant GHG emissions (i.e., forest floor or landfill feedstocks scenarios) highlights the importance of calculating and using the GWPbCO2 factor when quantifying lifecycle GHG impacts associated with diverting residual biomass to bioenergy use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mild and versatile cerium‐mediated decarboxylative strategy for sequential alkylation/cyclization was developed for the synthesis of quaternary oxindoles and benzimidazo[2,1‐a]isoquinolin‐6(5H)‐ones via photoinduced‐LMCT. This operationally simple procedure relies on inexpensive and feedstock carboxylic acids as alkyl radical surrogates and aerial molecular oxygen as the terminal oxidant. This mild and atom economical protocol showed viability with a wide range of alkyl carboxylic acids (1° to 3° acids) as coupling partners and also allows the late‐stage modification of pharmaceutically‐important acids. Mechanistic studies revealed the reaction to follow radical pathway, while the decarboxylative event was studied by in situ FTIR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ar‐CF2H moiety is featured in an increasing number of bioactive compounds due to its unique combination of properties. The hydrodefluorination of Ar‐CF3 compounds is a direct and efficient route toward this motif. As reported methods for this transformation have focused on specific substrate families, herein we describe a general—electronically ambivalent—procedure for the single‐step direct mono‐hydrodefluorination of a variety of feedstock and functionalized Ar‐CF3 compounds. Exploiting the inherent tunability of electrochemistry and the selectivity enabled by a Ni cathode, the deep reduction garners high selectivity for ArCF2H products, with good to excellent yields up to gram scale. The protocol has been extended to a single‐step di‐hydrodefluorination yielding benzyl fluorides. The late‐stage peripheral editing of a single CF3 feedstock to construct fluoromethyl (CF2H, CFH2) moieties will aid the rapid diversification of lead‐compounds and compound libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ar‐CF2H moiety is featured in an increasing number of bioactive compounds due to its unique combination of properties. The hydrodefluorination of Ar‐CF3 compounds is a direct and efficient route toward this motif. As reported methods for this transformation have focused on specific substrate families, herein we describe a general—electronically ambivalent—procedure for the single‐step direct mono‐hydrodefluorination of a variety of feedstock and functionalized Ar‐CF3 compounds. Exploiting the inherent tunability of electrochemistry and the selectivity enabled by a Ni cathode, the deep reduction garners high selectivity for ArCF2H products, with good to excellent yields up to gram scale. The protocol has been extended to a single‐step di‐hydrodefluorination yielding benzyl fluorides. The late‐stage peripheral editing of a single CF3 feedstock to construct fluoromethyl (CF2H, CFH2) moieties will aid the rapid diversification of lead‐compounds and compound libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To achieve a sustainable circular economy, polymer production must start transitioning to recycled and biobased feedstock and accomplish CO2 emission neutrality. This is not only true for structural polymers, such as in packaging or engineering applications, but also for functional polymers in liquid formulations, such as adhesives, lubricants, thickeners or dispersants. At their end of life, polymers must be either collected and recycled via a technical pathway, or be biodegradable if they are not collectable. Advances in polymer chemistry and applications, aided by computational material science, open the way to addressing these issues comprehensively by designing for recyclability and biodegradability. This Review explores how scientific progress, together with emerging regulatory frameworks, societal expectations and economic boundary conditions, paint pathways for the transformation towards a circular economy of polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decarbonisation from a variety of industrial and power emission sectors highlights a marked need for capture technologies that can be optimized for different CO2 sources and integrated into an equally diverse range of applications of captured CO2 as a feedstock. Some capture technologies are already operated at an industrial scale but may not be optimal for all required applications. Advanced tailored sorbent‐based technologies allow flexible operation and reduced costs as they offer higher capture capacities and significantly lower energy penalties than the state‐of‐the‐art systems. To accelerate the discovery, development, and deployment of novel advanced materials, it is critically important that efforts between experimentalists, theoreticians, and process engineers are coordinated. The PrISMa project addresses this challenge by integrating materials design with process design and environmental considerations to allow for tailor‐making carbon capture solutions optimally tuned for local sources and sinks. In this article, we highlight some of the recent results obtained with the PrISMa platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perennial grass mixtures established on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands can be an important source of feedstock for bioenergy production. This study aimed to evaluate management practices for optimizing the quality of bioenergy feedstock and stand persistence of grass‐legume mixtures under diverse environments. A 5‐year field study (2008–2012) was conducted to assess the effects of two harvest timings (at anthesis vs after complete senescence) and three nitrogen (N) rates (0, 56, 112 kg N ha−1) on biomass chemical compositions (i.e., cell wall components, ash, volatiles, total carbon, and N contents) and the feedstock energy potential, examined by the theoretical ethanol yield (TEY) and the total TEY (i.e., the product of biomass yield and TEY, L ha−1), of cool‐season mixtures in Georgia and Missouri and a warm‐season mixture in Kansas. The canonical correlation analysis (CCA) was used to investigate the effect of vegetative species transitions on feedstock quality. Although environmental variations (mainly precipitation) greatly influenced the management effect on chemical compositions, the delayed harvest after senescence generally improved feedstock quality. In particular, the overall cell wall concentrations and TEY of the warm‐season mixtures increased by approximately 7%. Additional N supplies improved the total TEY of both mixtures by ~1.6–4.2 L ha−1 per 1.0 kg N ha−1 input but likely lowered the feedstock quality, particularly for the cool‐season mixture. The cell wall concentrations of cool‐season mixture reduced by approximately 3%–6%. The CCA results indicated that the increased legume compositions (under low N input) likely enhanced lignin but reduced ash concentrations. This field research demonstrated that with proper management, grass‐legume mixtures on CRP lands can provide high‐quality feedstock for bioenergy productions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dairy industry processes vast amounts of milk and generates high amounts of secondary by‐products, which are still rich in nutrients (high Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels) but contain high concentrations of salt. The current European legislation only allows disposing of these effluents directly into the waterways with previous treatment, which is laborious and expensive. Therefore, as much as possible, these by‐products are reutilized as animal feed material and, if not applicable, used as fertilizers adding phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen, and other nutrients to the soil. Finding biological alternatives to revalue dairy by‐products is of crucial interest in order to improve the utilization of dry dairy matter and reduce the environmental impact of every litre of milk produced. Debaryomyces hansenii is a halotolerant non‐conventional yeast with high potential for this purpose. It presents some beneficial traits – capacity to metabolize a variety of sugars, tolerance to high osmotic environments, resistance to extreme temperatures and pHs – that make this yeast a well‐suited option to grow using complex feedstock, such as industrial waste, instead of the traditional commercial media. In this work, we study for the first time D. hansenii's ability to grow and produce a recombinant protein (YFP) from dairy saline whey by‐products. Cultivations at different scales (1.5, 100 and 500 ml) were performed without neither sterilizing the medium nor using pure water. Our results conclude that D. hansenii is able to perform well and produce YFP in the aforementioned salty substrate. Interestingly, it is able to outcompete other microorganisms present in the waste without altering its cell performance or protein production capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Ester‐linked p‐coumarate (pCA) is a hallmark feature of the secondary cell walls in commelinid monocot plants. It has been shown that pCA groups arise during lignin polymerisation from the participation of monolignol conjugates assembled by p‐coumaroyl‐CoA:monolignol transferase (PMT) enzymes, members of the BAHD superfamily of acyltransferases.Herein, we report that a eudicot species, kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus), naturally contains p‐coumaroylated lignin in the core tissues of the stems but not in the bast fibres. Moreover, we identified a novel acyltransferase, HcPMT, that shares <30% amino acid identity with known monocot PMT sequences.Recombinant HcPMT showed a preference in enzyme assays for p‐coumaroyl‐CoA and benzoyl‐CoA as acyl donor substrates and sinapyl alcohol as an acyl acceptor. Heterologous expression of HcPMT in hybrid poplar trees led to the incorporation of pCA in lignin, but no improvement in the saccharification potential of the wood.This work illustrates the value in mining diverse plant taxa for new monolignol acyltransferases. Furthermore, the occurrence of pCA outside monocot lineages may represent another example of convergent evolution in lignin structure. This discovery expands textbook views on cell wall biochemistry and provides a new molecular tool for engineering the lignin of biomass feedstock plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]