Chemist Laura Jansen of Radboud University has succeeded in making a well-functioning soap from sugar beet pulp – a residual product of sugar beet. This breakthrough offers a sustainable alternative to the usual soaps. Jansen received her PhD on 8 November for this innovative research. Sugar beet pulp is a residual product that is created after sucrose has been removed from the sugar beet…
A surprising discovery off the volcanic coast of Italy could fundamentally change our approach to carbon capture. Meet Chonkus, a cyanobacterium that grows rapidly and naturally sinks to the ocean floor. What started as a simple expedition by international scientists near the Italian island of Vulcano turned into a major discovery. With wetsuits on,…
Starting this month, the West Brabant region will have a new facility aimed at accelerating innovations in the materials and energy transition. MNEXT, a collaborative initiative of Avans University of Applied Sciences and HZ University of Applied Sciences, in collaboration with vocational training institute Curio, will open a brand new research lab on the Steenakker industrial estate in Breda. The festive opening will take place…
A new scientific article, published in Energy, Sustainability and Society, emphasizes the importance of the circular bioeconomy for better cooperation between different systems, such as energy, agriculture and industry. The article is based on research from IEA Bioenergy Task 40 and Task 44 and focuses on how we can improve our economy and technologies…
Research carried out by Liverpool John Moores University's School of Biological and Environmental Sciences has led to a breakthrough in the commercial production of Miscanthus grass, a key material for the growing biomass energy sector. The research focuses on increasing Miscanthus seed production, which is essential for large-scale planting and sustainable energy production.…
On July 10, the Scientific Climate Council (WKR) published its advice 'Clearing the air?'. The core of the report is that the Netherlands and Europe should not only focus on CO₂ reduction, but also on carbon removal. Biogenic CO₂ is mentioned as one of the techniques to achieve this. Deputy WKR director Heleen de Coninck said about it on BNN VARA: "That can be done, for example, by using biomass, and the CO₂ emissions from that consumption are then captured and stored deep underground". Several media picked up that message. On EénVandaag, viewers were explained how storage of short-cycle biogenic CO₂ contributes to combating climate change. With pictures!
Wood is widely used for the production of everyday goods such as building materials, furniture, packaging materials and even textiles. Bark, which makes up 10-15% of a tree trunk, is a byproduct of wood processing and has only current value in energy production. What if softwood bark could be turned into a valuable source of…
The 2nd edition of the four-day Biobased Battle took place in March. 142 students from 7 different colleges in the Netherlands and Finland worked in multidisciplinary teams on corporate sustainability issues. The target? Presenting the best practical biobased solutions! The Biobased Battle 2024 is organized by Avans/MNEXT, HAN, HZ, Karelia, LAB, OAMK and…
The new Master's program in Materials & Energy Transition (MET) from Avans University of Applied Sciences seems likely to start in September 2024. The Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organization has taken a positive decision. This means that students can officially register via Studielink in mid-April. Teacher-researchers Ad Breukel, Michiel Michels and Mertijn Weeda are in the team…
Enlargement of a biochar particle that has preserved the pore structure of the wood. Photo: TNO TNO has recently developed an innovative method called “EnerChar” to produce clean carbon on a large scale. This method makes it possible to produce biocarbon with various properties, while simultaneously generating heat and capturing CO2. The…
