Mayor of Phoenix: The American Jobs Act Should Be Passed Today

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"Empowerhouse": An Affordable, Energy-Efficient Home Built by College Students

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Renmatix Unlocks The Secret To Cheap, Abundant Biofuels and Biochemicals

As big businesses and consumers slowly realize that oil prices won't drop precipitously anytime soon, biofuels and biochemicals have begun to look ever more attractive. But up until now, there hasn't been a truly cost-effective way to to make fuel and chemicals out of biomass (i.e switchgrass, woodchips, and other nonedible crops). Enter Renmatix, a Kleiner Perkins-backed startup that emerged from stealth mode today.

While its competitors take the enzymatic approach to processing biomass--sticking the biomass in a vat with bugs, which convert the waste into fuel and other products--Renamtix simply uses pressurized water to solubilize and dissolve cellulose. The former approach can take hours or days, while Renmatix's process takes seconds or minutes. "Speed determines economics," says Hamilton.

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