Next generation biofuels

The concern over climate change has motivated a search for low-carbon transportation fuels. One approach to low-carbon fuels is to exploit photosynthesis, which stores solar energy in plant biomass. I review here some aspects of the potential for making liquid fuels from biomasss. There appear to be significant amounts of currently un- or underutilized land available to raise biomass for liquid fuels. Rather than compete with feed crops, we have explored the potential of energy crops such as perennial grasses. Processes have been developed for efficient production of fuels from biomass. Lots of progress has been made but lessons are still being learned.