is the three-way catalyst. For dieselengines operating under leanconditions, the tighter particulatematter limits are met by using a pgm-coated diesel particulate filter. Goodprogress has been made on thecontrol of NOx from gasoline enginesand developments are being made onlowering NOx emissions from dieselsto meet upcoming emissions limits. Aconference review of the Society ofAutomotive Engineers 2012 WorldCongress by Timothy Johnson fromCorning Environmental Technologies,USA, focuses on the keydevelopments related to the pgms forboth diesel and gasoline engineemissions control. Also in the issue, abook review by Bruno Pollet of HySASystems Competence Centre,University of the Western Cape, SouthAfrica, covers topics such as pgmelectrocatalysts, fuels and materials,durability tests, and the main (in situ)techniques and methods currentlyemployed in characterising themembrane electrode assembly and itssubcomponents. The conversion ofbiomass to fuels and chemicals as away to mitigate global warming anddiversify energy sources is alsofeatured in the latest issue, with aconference review highlighting theprogress of pgm catalysts. Shapedmetal nanoparticles and theirapplications in catalysis are coveredin a book review by Laura Ashfield ofJohnson Matthey Technology Centre,Sonning Common, UK. Other topics inthis issue include the role of platinumin superconductors and thecrystallographic properties ofruthenium.

Original Source: Johnson Matthey Platinum Today,website: http://www.platinum.matthey.com/ (1 May2013) © Johnson Matthey plc 2013

Bacteria produce fuel identical withpetrol

John Love and his colleagues at theUniversity of Exeter in the UKmodified Escherichia coli to producehydrocarbons that can be used asdesirable biofuels. The researchersinserted the genes of camphor tree,soil bacteria, and blue-green algaeinto the DNA of E coli. The enzymesin the modified E coli turned fattyacids into hydrocarbons that areidentical with those of commercialfuel. This process could produce

biofuels that are suitable for, andwould not corrode, vehicle engines.

Original Source: New Scientist – UK Edition, 27 Apr2013, 218 (2914), 18 (Website:http://www.newscientist.com) © Reed BusinessInformation Ltd 2013

Akermin demonstrates CO2 captureusing Biocatalyst Delivery System

Akermin announces the successfulcommissioning and testing of itsproprietary Biocatalyst Delivery Systemat the National Carbon Capture Centrein Wilsonville, AL. The pilot unit hasoperated continuously for severalweeks capturing close to 90% CO2from flue gas with significant rateenhancement and no degradation inperformance. The pilot plant willcontinue operations for several monthswith no replenishment of enzyme. Theoperating data provide technical andeconomic validation for CO2 removalfrom target markets such as biogasupgrading, LNG and ammoniaproduction and support larger-scalefield pilot testing for natural gas andcoal-fired power plants.

Original Source: Akermin, 2013. Found on PRNewswire, 3 Jun 2013, (Website:http://www.prnewswire.com)

UK researchers devise PEdecomposition additive

London-based Advanced EnzymeScience has developed Enzymoplast,a polyethylene additive that can breakdown polyethylene “in a natural way”.Decomposition of plastic bags occurswhen plastic bags with additive comesinto contact with microorganisms. Thepolymer chain is broken when themicroorganisms consumes theprotein. The process is acceleratedwith activation of enzymes. Theprocess leaves only water and CO2after a few months.

Original Source: Plastics News, 8 May 2013, (Website:http://www.plasticsnews.com) © CrainCommunications Inc 2013

PATENTSMicrobiological production of metallicnanoparticles

Nanoparticles of metals (Au, Ag, Zn,Hg, Pd, Pt, Bi) are made bycontacting aqueous solutions of the

metals with bacteria (eg lactobacillus)which incorporate the metals in theirmembranes. The bacteria areharvested in various ways, yieldingsuspensions of metals havingbactericidal properties.

US 8,455,226, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse,Belgium, 4 Jun 2013

Acrylic acid from fumaric acid

Fumaric acid is made from biomassby fermentation with a genetically-modified micro-organism. Then thefumaric acid is combined withethylene by cross-metathesis,catalysed by known metathesiscatalysts. These are mostly based onruthenium with a complex ligand.

US 8,455,683, Genomatica Inc, San Diego, C, USA, 4Jun 2013

Ethanol made by hydrogenating aceticacid and ethyl acetate

Ethanol is made from acetic acid orethyl acetate by hydrogenating it overa supported catalyst containing cobaltand tin.

US 8,455,702, Celanese International Corp, Irving, TX,USA, 4 Jun 2013

Conversion of oxygenates to liquid fuels

This is an extension of the BioformingProcess invented in the University ofWisconsin. Mono-oxygenatedhydrocarbons obtained by aqueousphase reforming of biomass arecatalytically hydrogenated.

US 8,455,705, Virent Inc, Madison, WI, USA, 4 Jun2013

Structured F-T catalysts

Fischer-Tropsch catalysts traditionallycontain cobalt and iron on a solidsupport.In this example, the cobaltmetal is obtained by reducing thesupported oxide, and iron is depositedon its surface by the decomposition ofiron carbonyl.

US 8,455,556, Shell Oil Co, Houston, TX, USA, 4 Jun2013

Preparation of granular mesoporouscarbon

Initially a composite is preparedcontaining a silica precursor, a carbonprecursor, and a pore-forming additive.

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