York forges biodiesel links

Biologists at the University of York have established new research links with Chinese scientists to investigate biodiesel, which is purported to be a more environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum.

Professor Ian Graham led a delegation of scientists from the Centre for Novel Agricultural Products (CNAP) at York to Sichuan University in China. The trip was funded by the British Consulate-General Office in Chongqing as part of the UK-China Partners in Science Programme.

Tim Summers, British Consul-General for Chongqing, said: ‘Renewable energy is one of the agreed priority areas for future co-operation between the two countries, and we hope this visit to Chengdu will be the first of many by Professor Graham and his colleagues.’

The CNAP scientists participated in a workshop arranged to explore production of biodiesel from the bush Jatropha curcas, a tree that grows in the tropics and produces oil-rich seeds that can be used to make biofuel. The York delegation included Professor Simon McQueen-Mason, Dr Yi Li, Dr Tony Larson and Dr Andrew King.