http://www.gov.state.md.us/pressreleases/080310.htmlGovernor O'Malley, UM Scientists Announce New Energy Technology
Bay bacterium discovery could turn waste products into Ethanol
COLLEGE PARK, MD (March 10, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley today joined a crowd of University of Maryland scientists and students in College Park to announce the discovery of a bacterium that could lead to the production of 75 billion gallons a year of carbon-neutral ethanol.
“Marylanders are leading the nation in scientific discovery and technology innovation,” said Governor O’Malley. “We must continue to invest in Marylanders like Steve Hutcheson and in their revolutionary ideas to protect our environment, create jobs, and improve lives.”
Zymetis Inc, a tenant in the University’s Mtech incubator program, has discovered a bacterium found in the Chesapeake Bay that, when fully staged, could potentially lead to the production of 75 billion gallons a year of carbon-neutral ethanol. The bacterium, called Saccharophagus degradans, creates a mixture of enzymes—through a patent-pending system developed by College of Chemical and Life Sciences Professors Steve Hutcheson and Ron Weiner—that breaks down almost any source of biomass, or plant life, into sugars, which are then converted into ethanol and other biofuels.
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“Zymetis’ new technology is a win for the State of Maryland, for the University and for the environment,” said University of Maryland President C.D. Mote, Jr. “It makes affordable ethanol production a reality and makes it from waste materials. This benefits everyone, and supports the green-friendly goal of carbon-neutrality. It also highlights the importance of transformational basic research and of technology incubators at the University. Partnership with the State enables University of Maryland faculty and students to commercialize new discoveries quickly.”
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