Plant Biofuels and Green Technologies Lecture Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the definitions and concepts related to biofuels, greenhouse gases, sustainable architecture, and food waste management based on the lecture notes.

Biofuel

A renewable fuel containing energy from recent photosynthesis and produced from living organisms, as opposed to fossil fuels.

Fossil Fuels

Organic substances found in underground deposits formed in previous geologic periods from ancient plants and animals.

Sulfur dioxide ($SO_2$)

A particle released into the atmosphere specifically from burning coal.

Nitrogen oxides ($N_2O$)

Atmospheric particles resulting from cars and power plants that burn fossil fuels.

Acid rain

Acidic deposition caused by sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides reacting with oxygen and water to form sulfuric and nitric acid.

Greenhouse effect

The process where carbon dioxide and other gases trap infrared light in the atmosphere, preventing heat from dispersing into space.

Bioethanol

An alcohol biofuel produced by the fermentation of sugars or starches from corn, sugar cane, or cellulosic biomass.

Biodiesels

Fuels produced by modifying plant vegetable oils, such as those from soybean and canola.

Cellulosic ethanol

Bioethanol made by breaking down farm waste, wood chips, and non-food grasses.

Saccharophagus degradans

A bacteria that produces enzymes used to break down materials for cellulosic ethanol production.

Switchgrass ($\textit{Panicum virgatum}$)

A perennial grass native to North America that provides high biomass yields with low inputs, featuring an energy output ratio of $1:20$.

Sustainable architecture

An approach to building that reduces negative environmental impacts through efficient design, materials, and use of space.

Green walls

Vertical surfaces covered with plants, soil, and watering systems designed to reduce building temperatures and reuse water.

Green roofs

Living systems on top of buildings that provide insulation, absorb pollutants, and can reduce energy usage by $26\%$.

WaterShed House

The solar-powered house designed by the University of Maryland team that won the 2011 Solar Decathlon.

Food loss

The wastage of food that occurs at the production, harvest, transport, and processing stages.

Food waste

The wastage of food that occurs specifically at the supermarket, restaurant, and consumer levels.