Molten salts give biofuels a boost

Liquids break down cellulose without producing toxic chemicals

CHICAGO — A new approach for breaking down cellulose could improve prospects for energy-efficient biofuels, researchers report.

Although making biofuels from the cellulose in cell walls of switchgrass or wood chips should require less energy than making corn-based ethanol, finding efficient ways to degrade cellulose has been difficult.