A team of researchers from the UK have revealed how they "sea" the future of biofuel.
Scientists from York University and Portsmouth University have been getting to grips with gribble, a small wood nibbling insect that feeds from the bottom of old boats, piers and docks, causing erosion to the wood material.
In the team’s research, which forms part of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, published yesterday (Monday March 8th) the scientists reveal that the enzymes found in gribbles’ digestive system could be nature’s best kept secret to converting biomass.
However, bioenergy firms won’t be rolling their conveyors and elevators out into the North Sea just yet, as the researchers hope to find a way that the process could be used in an industrial capacity.
It’s not the first time scientists have looked to the sea for biofuel. Seaweed and algae are already used to produce biodiesel from several plants.
The breakthrough is a welcome boost to the biofuels industry however, as it is a major growth sector in the UK.
Expansion of the industry could propel the supply of specialist handling equipment such as chain and flight conveyors and en-masse elevators.