Future green cars to literally run with tree in gas tank

Washington, June 17 (ANI): Future green cars would run by just putting a tree in the gas tank, at least that's what researchers mean as they look at forest biomass as raw materials for the development of green biofuels and chemicals.

Dr. In-Gyu Choi, associate professor in the department of forest science at Seoul National University, who will coordinate a session at the 2010 IUFRO World Congress, said that forest biomass is renewable, abundant and carbon-neutral. Its importance as a future source of green energy and green chemicals should not be ignored.

The session will involve itself with "look-ahead" science - things such as innovative technologies to convert forest biomass into bioalcohol, synthetic gasoline and diesel as well as the future market possibilities for forest-based green chemicals to be used as the raw materials for biodegradable bioplastics.

Plastics from biomass are made the same way as petroleum-based plastics, but are actually cheaper to manufacture and meet or exceed most performance standards with the exception of water resistance and longevity.

Eco-efficiency - and this session falls under that broad category - aims at the delivery of competitively priced goods and services that satisfy human needs and improve quality of life, while progressively reducing ecological impacts and resource use intensity to a level compatible with the earth's estimated carrying capacity. (ANI)