Dive Brief:

• Researchers working with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) developed a form of bionic liquids created from biofuel by-products. 
• Materials stored in biomass, agricultural waste, and non-food crops can be used in the production of advanced biofuels, reducing the reliance on fossil fuels. 
• According to JBEI, more than 1 billion tons of biomass are created every year in the US that could potentially be utilized in the project.

Dive Insight:

JBEI said that there are some issues to address before the technology can be adopted on a wide scale. For instance, the complex substances in biomass are embedded into tough materials called lignin, presenting a challenge for researchers attempting to separate the substances.

But the process could lead to major breakthroughs once it is perfected. Fuels produced using the bionic liquids could become substitutes for gasoline, diesel, and even jet fuel.