Scientists at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Cincinnati achieved a breakthrough in understanding the vulnerability of microbes to the butanol they produce during fermentation of plant biomass. The discovery could pave the way for more efficient production of domestic fuels, chemicals, and materials.
The team used ORNL’s neutron scattering capabilities and molecular dynamics simulations to analyze the fermentation process producing butanol, an energy-packed alcohol that can be used as a biofuel, solvent, or chemical feedstock.