Advanced biofuels: The evolution of international research networks
| Pages | 151-161 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/20425945201000010 |
| Date | 01 May 2010 |
| Published date | 01 May 2010 |
| Author | Pablo Catalan,Elena Berger |
| Subject Matter | Public policy & environmental management |
Copyright © 2010 WASD
World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, Vol. 7, No. 2, 2010
151
AdvAnced Biofuels: the
evolution of internAtionAl
reseArch networks1
Pablo Catalan*
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, USA
Universidad de Concepción, Chile
Elena Berger†
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, USA
Abstract: Alternative fuels for transportation are gaining momentum in the global
market. Ethanol has been the most used biofuel as an additive and as a substitute for gaso-
line in a number of countries. Current technology to produce ethanol based on sugar and
starch crops creates price imbalances in the food market and cannot supply a sustainable
industry of ethanol in the long term. Second generation technologies based on cellulose-
based feedstocks use non-edible crops and have a positive energy balance. Notwithstand-
ing, they are not yet economic at the industrial level, requiring investment in Research and
Development (R&D) to help overcome technological barriers. Many countries recognise
the value of collaboration to increase benefits and reduce costs of research, and some of
them have in place policy instruments to promote this practice. Given the policy relevance,
multidisciplinary characteristics of biofuels, and increasing incentives towards internation-
al cooperation, the monitoring of the evolution and patterns of international collabora-
tion in R&D is in place. We map the evolution of the global scientific activity of research
on cellulosic ethanol. We carry out a bibliometric analysis by building a publication data-
set drawn from the ISI Thompson Science Citation Index database covering the period
between 1970 and 2006. We identify the most productive institutions and countries,
their historical evolution and interaction patterns.
Keywords: cellulosic ethanol; biofuels; international collaboration; energy;
Research and Development; R&D.
introduction And BAckground
Biofuels for transportation are gaining
momentum in the global policy scenario.
Main factors driving growing production of
biofuels include geopolitical instability in
oil producing countries, increased energy
demand in China and India, and environ-
mental concerns over the consequences of
intense fossil fuel consumption (Bettelheim,
2006; U.S.DOE, 2007). Ethanol has been
the biofuel most used as an octane enhancer
and as a substitute of gasoline in a number
* Corresponding author: Technology Policy Assessment Center, School of Public Policy, Georgia Institute of
Technology, Atlanta, USA, Universidad de Concepción, Chile; e-mail: pablo.catalan@gatech.edu
†
Technology Policy Assessment Center, School of Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta,
USA; e-mail: elena.berger@gatech.edu
03_Catalan.indd 151 3/12/10 2:18:01 PM
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