More, more, more – Many companies are moving toward the idea of using ethanol from crops as an alternative fuel. But the amount of ethanol produced by the crops is not as efficient as it could be. Until now. Researchers at the University of Georgia are looking into a new method that would increase the yield of ethanol produced by as much as 10%. The process involved pre-treating non-food crops such as switchgrass and Bermuda grass with an eco-friendly wash to increase sugar production. The sugar is then converted into ethanol. An increased yield has many benefits including more biofuel availability as well as reduced costs and carbon emissions in comparison to contemporary fuels such as petroleum and coal.

http://www.uga.edu/news/artman/publish/080728_biomass.shtml