Daily News—12/07/09

Human-powered cell phone charger

Outdoorsy types are sure to love mobile solar chargers, but what about those who rarely see sunlight? (No, we're not referring to “Twilight.”)

Easy Energy will launch the YoGen, a mobile charger that solely relies on hand power. The pocket-size charger lets you generates energy by repeatedly pulling a ripcord, similar to the way a lawnmower is started.

Here is an item that might be of interest to biodiesel fans, a way to charge a cell phone anytime, anywhere. How many pulls of the string would it take a fully charge your phone? Guess?

Will VW build the diesel-powered BlueSport Roadster?

Volkswagen BlueSport Concept

One of our favorite concepts from the last Detroit Auto Show was the Volkswagen BlueSport Roadster. The voluptuous Boxster-sized two-seater carried one of VW's TDI four cylinder diesels between the cabin and rear axle and most of the important bits came from the Golf. Because of the origins of those mechanical bits, it seemed reasonable that VW could build the car, but so far they have not committed to do so.

For biodiesel enthusiasts, this is a sporty car, but can you predict how it might respond to the different percentages of biodiesel fuel blends. Can anyone comment on that question? Anyone out there from VW, you are always welcome to comment here.

Algae oil as feedstock for biodiesel and other biofuels

Among future development plans are technologies that provide a higher degree of freedom for algae producers in algae strain selection and algae oil extraction for the production of biofuels.

Endicott Biofuels and TransAlgae have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the development of algae as a potential transportation fuel and renewable chemical feedstock source.

According to Endicott Chief Executive Officer David Robinson, TransAlgae's strategy is consistent with Endicott's goal to create economically sustainable new sources of energy through the development of renewable biofuels.

“We look forward to working with the TransAlgae team, who represent great expertise and experience, to rapidly advance the scale-up and commercialization of algae biofuels production as a high-quality, sustainable fuel source,” he said.

We are getting closer and closer to commercially viable algae-based oil feedstocks, which eliminate the eternal food-issue conflict. I see a bright future for algae biodfuels—how about you?

Freeways to Fuel: Growing biodiesel crops along the roadways

Roadsides and median strips may turn out to be the perfect place to grow crops for biodiesel.

“It’s a very non-traditional approach to utilizing some public lands that are not being utilized as well as they could be,” says Utah State University researcher Dallas Hanks. It is estimated that there are some 10 million available acres of land in roadsides, airports, military bases, railroad areas and more that currently require significant maintenance cost that could be used for producing biofuel crops such as safflower and canola which could be harvested a couple times a year. The benefits include a new source for biofuel feedstocks, as well as improved aesthetics and reduced roadside maintenance costs.

There are already plants of some kind growing along the highways and roads, why not something you can make into biodiesel? Sounds like most biodiesel ideas, a win-win situation.

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