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Green Revolution: Biomass

6 minutes, 52 seconds

Now Playing As: Captioned (English) (Change)

"Green Revolution: Biomass" explains how energy stored in organic matter can be converted into usable fuels and electricity. The video explores biomass, biofuels, methane from landfill decomposition, algae oil, waste grease, and sawdust as renewable energy sources. It highlights key science concepts such as energy conversion, cellulose, fermentation, ethanol, catalysts, chemical reactions, and carbon cycling. Researchers at Arizona State University, the University of Wisconsin, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst demonstrate how biology, chemistry, engineering, and microbiology support the development of greener alternatives to fossil fuels. This curriculum-aligned science resource supports learning in life science, environmental science, and physical science by connecting plant biomass, decomposition, microbes, and fuel production to real-world sustainability challenges. Part of the "Green Revolution" series.

Media Details

Runtime: 6 minutes, 52 seconds

ASL
Closeup of a hand handling a small, green plant in a densely populated patch of similar plants. Caption: How do green roofs change how a building transfers heat?
Green Revolution
Episode 1
6 minutes 29 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Person talking with an inset picture of a laboratory. Caption: People usually think science happens in the lab.
Green Revolution
Episode 2
5 minutes 39 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Woman and man stand next to each other and face towards camera in a lab setting.
Green Revolution
Episode 3
5 minutes 41 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
ASL
Orange explosion throwing debris. Caption: And it contains a lot of energy.
Green Revolution
Episode 4
6 minutes 10 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
Gloved hands working with petri dishes covered in a variety of materials. Caption: (narrator) We always look for better ways to get energy we need.
Green Revolution
Episode 5
6 minutes 52 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Illustration of a windmill 100 meters tall receiving air current next to a much taller structure receiving a much larger air current. Caption: The beauty of wind turbines is that they're 100% clean.
Green Revolution
Episode 6
5 minutes 1 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Hillside covered in solar panels. Caption: collecting the sun's energy
Green Revolution
Episode 7
5 minutes 59 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Illustration of objects moving from a chamber with disk shaped spiny structures to an empty chamber. Caption: Here, we force bacteria to move electrons
Green Revolution
Episode 9
5 minutes 3 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Gauge in a vehicle with a range of 0 to 8. The indicator is at 1 and the gauge is labeled RPMx1000. Caption: How do electric vehicles compare with other cars?
Green Revolution
Episode 8
6 minutes 54 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12