Recent advances in the application of carbohydrates as renewable feedstocks for the synthesis of nitrogen-containing compounds

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Iraj Sadraei ◽  
Brent St Onge ◽  
John F. Trant
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Recent Progress ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Fine Chemicals ◽  
Economic Costs ◽  
Heterocycle Synthesis ◽  
Renewable Feedstocks ◽  
The Social ◽  
Nitrogen Containing Compounds

Abstract Carbohydrates, in the form of chitin, chitosan and cellulose, are one of the most available, renewable, and sustainable chemical feedstocks. Their conversion to biofuels, fine chemicals, and industrially-relevant monomers is becoming increasingly viable and promising as innovation decreases the price of this technology, and climate change and the price of fossil fuels increases the social and economic costs of using traditional feedstocks. In recent years, carbohydrates have been increasingly used as sources for nitrogen-containing fine chemicals. This chapter, with 86 references, provides a brief overview of the conversion of carbohydrate biomass to the standard hydrocarbon and oxygen-containing derivatives, and then provides a survey of recent progress in converting the biopolymers, and the derived mono and di-saccharides, into nitrogen-containing molecules with a special focus on N-heterocycle synthesis for medicinal applications.

scholarly journals Recent Progress on Chemical Production From Non-food Renewable Feedstocks Using Corynebacterium glutamicum

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Zhang ◽  
Yan Jiang ◽  
Zhimin Li ◽  
Fei Wang ◽  
Xiao-Yu Wu
Keyword(s):  
Corynebacterium Glutamicum ◽  
Lignocellulosic Biomass ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Recent Progress ◽  
Carbon Sources ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Chemical Production ◽  
Renewable Feedstocks ◽  
Alternative Feedstocks ◽  
Substrate Spectrum

Due to the non-renewable nature of fossil fuels, microbial fermentation is considered a sustainable approach for chemical production using glucose, xylose, menthol, and other complex carbon sources represented by lignocellulosic biomass. Among these, xylose, methanol, arabinose, glycerol, and other alternative feedstocks have been identified as superior non-food sustainable carbon substrates that can be effectively developed for microbe-based bioproduction. Corynebacterium glutamicum is a model gram-positive bacterium that has been extensively engineered to produce amino acids and other chemicals. Recently, in order to reduce production costs and avoid competition for human food, C. glutamicum has also been engineered to broaden its substrate spectrum. Strengthening endogenous metabolic pathways or assembling heterologous ones enables C. glutamicum to rapidly catabolize a multitude of carbon sources. This review summarizes recent progress in metabolic engineering of C. glutamicum toward a broad substrate spectrum and diverse chemical production. In particularly, utilization of lignocellulosic biomass-derived complex hybrid carbon source represents the futural direction for non-food renewable feedstocks was discussed.

From Chicken Little to Dr. Pangloss: William Nierenberg, Global Warming, and the Social Deconstruction of Scientific Knowledge

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naomi Oreskes ◽  
Erik M. Conway ◽  
Matthew Shindell
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Global Warming ◽  
Scientific Knowledge ◽  
Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
National Academy Of Sciences ◽  
The Road ◽  
The Social ◽  
Historical Episode ◽  
On The Road

In recent decades, historians and sociologists of science have been largely concerned with the social construction of scientific knowledge. This paper examines an important historical episode in the social deconstruction of scientific knowledge. In the early 1980s, a consensus emerged among climate scientists that increased atmospheric carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels would lead to mean global warming of 2––3°°C, probably by the mid-twenty-first century, and would have serious deleterious effects, including sea level rise of at least seventy centimeters. This consensus was challenged, however, by a committee of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, chaired by physicist William A. (Bill) Nierenberg, whose 1983 report arguably launched the climate change "debate." Drawing on perspectives provided by two economists on his committee, Nierenberg reframed the question not as a matter of climate change per se, but as a matter of the human capacity to adapt to change when it came, a capacity, his report asserted, that was very great. Thus, while accepting the scientific conclusion that warming would occur, Nierenberg rejected the interpretation that it would be a problem. In later years, he would play a major role in political challenges to the scientific conclusions themselves. Reframing was Nierenberg's first step on the road to the deconstruction of scientific knowledge of climate change.

scholarly journals Recent Progress in Catalysts for Hydrogen-Chlorine Regenerative Fuel Cells

Catalysts ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1263
Author(s):  
Mireya Carvela ◽  
Alexandra Raschitor ◽  
Manuel A. Rodrigo ◽  
Justo Lobato
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Recent Progress ◽  
Precious Metals ◽  
Commercial Viability ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
Regenerative Cells ◽  
Renewable Energy Storage

The increasing energy demand and the subsequent climate change consequences are supporting the search for sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. In this scenario, the link between hydrogen and renewable energy is playing a key role and unitized hydrogen-chlorine (H2-Cl2) regenerative cells (RFCs) have become promising candidates for renewable energy storage. Described herein are the recent advances in cell configurations and catalysts for the different reactions that may take place in these systems, that work in both modes: electrolysis and fuel cell. It has been found that platinum (Pt)-based catalysts are the best choice for the electrode where hydrogen is involved, whereas for the case of chlorine, ruthenium (Ru)-based catalysts are the best candidates. Only a few studies were found where the catalysts had been tested in both modes and recent advances are focused on decreasing the amount of precious metals contained in the catalysts. Moreover, the durability of the catalysts tested under realistic conditions has not been thoroughly assessed, becoming a key and mandatory step to evaluate the commercial viability of the H2-Cl2 RFC technology.

scholarly journals Metal Fuels as Alternative Sources of Energy for Zero Carbon Emission

2021 ◽  
Vol 943 (1) ◽  
pp. 012016
Author(s):  
T Liu ◽  
A Panahi
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Wind Power ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Economic Costs

Abstract Global climate change is a pressing challenge of the 21st century that has gained attention of scientists and governments. It has been proven that climate change is largely associated with human activities such as burning fossil fuels to produce electricity, which emits excessive amounts of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gasses. To combat this concern, carbon free alternative energy sources have been proposed. Current renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power are expensive and limited. However, metal fuels could prove to be one of the solutions for those limitations. Since fossil fuels are the most common source of energy production, to be viable on a global scale, any new form of carbon-free energy must be economically competitive with fossil fuels. This work will determine the theoretical economic costs of several different metals which have comparable energy densities with fossil fuels. Furthermore, this work will evaluate the viability of these metals on a global scale based on their economic costs compared to fossil fuels including natural gas, petroleum, and coal. Additionally, further economic comparisons will be conducted with other forms of renewable energies, such as solar power, wind power, and hydropower.

Economic Costs of Climate Change

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Custodio ◽  
Miguel Almeida Ferreira ◽  
Emilia Garcia-Appendini ◽  
Adrian Lam
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Economic Costs

Ancient Approaches to Letter-Writing and the Configuration of Communities through Epistles

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thorsten Fögen
Keyword(s):  
Sense Of Community ◽  
Interpersonal Relationship ◽  
Letter Writing ◽  
Social Dimension ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Primary Concern ◽  
Pliny The Younger ◽  
The Social ◽  
Letter Writer

The chapter explores reflections on the practice of letter-writing, with equal attention to instructional handbooks (esp. Demetrius’ Περὶ ἑρμηνείας‎, Iulius Victor’s Rhetorica, Pseudo-Demetrius’ Τύποι ἐπιστολικοί‎, Pseudo-Libanius’ Ἐπιστολιμαῖοι χαρακτῆρες‎, and Erasmus of Rotterdam’s De conscribendis epistolis) and the meta-generic statements that letter-writers routinely embed in their correspondence (with a special focus on Cicero, Ovid, Seneca, and Pliny the Younger). In both types of sources, what one might call the social dimension of style registers as a primary concern: in order for the letter to fulfil its purpose, namely to generate a special bond between sender and recipient, the chosen idiolect has to be ‘appropriate’ (πρέπον‎/aptum) to the interpersonal relationship and its specific circumstances and exigencies. Shared stylistic values and the willingness of the letter-writer to adjust his character to that of the recipient generate a sense of community between the correspondents.

Smart Cities and Smart Regulation

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita Rønne
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
System Analysis ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Smart Cities ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Political Agenda ◽  
Smart Regulation

Increasing focus on sustainable societies and ‘smart cities’ due to emphasis on mitigation of climate change is simultaneous with ‘smart regulation’ reaching the forefront of the political agenda. Consequently, the energy sector and its regulation are undergoing significant innovation and change. Energy innovations include transition from fossil fuels to more renewable energy sources and application of new computer technology, interactively matching production with consumer demand. Smart cities are growing and projects are being initiated for development of urban areas and energy systems. Analysis from ‘Smart Cities Accelerator’, developed under the EU Interreg funding programme that includes Climate-KIC,——provides background for the focus on a smart energy system. Analysis ensures the energy supply systems support the integration of renewables with the need for new technologies and investments. ‘Smart’ is trendy, but when becoming ‘smart’ leads to motivation that is an important step towards mitigating climate change.

Energy Markets and Trading

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Mares
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Adjustment Costs ◽  
Institutional Context ◽  
Energy Markets ◽  
Energy Resources ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
The Social ◽  
Impact Risk

This chapter discusses the role of energy in economic development, the transformation of energy markets, trade in energy resources themselves, and the geopolitical dynamics that result. The transformation of energy markets and their expansion via trade can help or hinder development, depending on the processes behind them and how stakeholders interact. The availability of renewable, climate-friendly sources of energy, domestically and internationally, means that there is no inherent trade-off between economic growth and the use of fossil fuels. The existence of economic, political, social, and geopolitical adjustment costs means that the expansion of international energy markets to incorporate alternatives to oil and coal is a complex balance of environmental trade-offs with no solutions completely free of negative impact risk. An understanding of the supply of and demand for energy must incorporate the institutional context within which they occur, as well as the social and political dynamics of their setting.

scholarly journals An Attack on the Separation of Powers? Strategic Climate Litigation in the Eyes of U.S. Judges

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 8335
Author(s):  
Jasmina Nedevska
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Climate Change ◽  
United States ◽  
Separation Of Powers ◽  
The United States ◽  
Checks And Balances ◽  
Climate Politics ◽  
The Social ◽  
Domestic Courts ◽  
Research Plan

Climate change litigation has emerged as a powerful tool as societies steer towards sustainable development. Although the litigation mainly takes place in domestic courts, the implications can be seen as global as specific climate rulings influence courts across national borders. However, while the phenomenon of judicialization is well-known in the social sciences, relatively few have studied issues of legitimacy that arise as climate politics move into courts. A comparatively large part of climate cases have appeared in the United States. This article presents a research plan for a study of judges’ opinions and dissents in the United States, regarding the justiciability of strategic climate cases. The purpose is to empirically study how judges navigate a perceived normative conflict—between the litigation and an overarching ideal of separation of powers—in a system marked by checks and balances.

scholarly journals Post COVID-19 Recovery and 2050 Climate Change Targets: Changing the Emphasis from Promotion of Renewables to Mandated Curtailment of Fossil Fuels in the EU Policies

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 1347
Author(s):  
Kyriakos Maniatis ◽  
David Chiaramonti ◽  
Eric van den Heuvel
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
European Union ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Climate Change Policy ◽  
Climate Impacts ◽  
The European Union

The present work considers the dramatic changes the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the global economy, with particular emphasis on energy. Focusing on the European Union, the article discusses the opportunities policy makers can implement to reduce the climate impacts and achieve the Paris Agreement 2050 targets. The analysis specifically looks at the fossil fuels industry and the future of the fossil sector post COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis first revises the fossil fuel sector, and then considers the need for a shift of the global climate change policy from promoting the deployment of renewable energy sources to curtailing the use of fossil fuels. This will be a change to the current global approach, from a relative passive one to a strategically dynamic and proactive one. Such a curtailment should be based on actual volumes of fossil fuels used and not on percentages. Finally, conclusions are preliminary applied to the European Union policies for net zero by 2050 based on a two-fold strategy: continuing and reinforcing the implementation of the Renewable Energy Directive to 2035, while adopting a new directive for fixed and over time increasing curtailment of fossils as of 2025 until 2050.

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