Biomass and Bioenergy

Biomass obtained from agricultural residues or forest can be used to produce different materials and bioenergy required in a modern society. As compared to other resources available, biomass is one of the most common and widespread resources in the world. Thus, biomass has the potential to provide a renewable energy source, both locally and across large areas of the world. It is estimated that the total investment in the biomass sector between 2008 and 2021 will reach the large sum of $104 billion. Presently bioenergy is the most important renewable energy option and will remain so the near and medium-term future. Previously several countries try to explore the utilization of biomass in bioenergy and composite sector. Biomass has the potential to become the world's largest and most sustainable energy source and will be very much in demand. Bioenergy is based on resources that can be utilized on a sustainable basis all around the world and can thus serve as an effective option for the provision of energy services. In addition, the benefits accrued go beyond energy provision, creating unique opportunities for regional development. The present book will provide an up-to-date account of non-wood, forest residues, agricultural biomass (natural fibers), and energy crops together with processing, properties and its applications to ensure biomass utilization and reuse. All aspects of biomass and bioenergy and their properties and applications will be critically re-examined. The book consists of three sections, presenting Non wood and forest products from forestry, arboriculture activities or from wood processing, agricultural biomass (natural fibers) from agricultural harvesting or processing and finally energy crops: high yield crops and grasses grown especially for energy production.

Dr. Khalid Rehman Hakeem (PhD) is working as Fellow Researcher at the Faculty of Forestry, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia and also Visiting Professor at Fatih University, Istanbul, Turkey. He has obtained his MSc. (Environmental Botany) as well as PhD (Botany) from Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India in 2006 and 2011 respectively. He did his Post Doctorate in the fields of Forest dynamics and biotechnological studies from Universiti Putra Malaysia from 2012-2013. Dr. Hakeem has more than Eight years of teaching and research experience in Plant Eco-Physiology, Biotechnology & Molecular biology as well as in Environmental sciences. Recipient of several fellowships at both national and international levels, Dr. Hakeem has so far edited and authored more than nine books with International publishers. He has also to his credit more than 50 research publications in peer reviewed international journals including 20 book chapters with foreign publishers. He is also the Editorial board member and reviewer of several high impact international Journals. Dr. Hakeem is currently engaged in studying the plant processes at ecophysiological as well as proteomic levels. Dr. Mohammad Jawaid (PhD) is currently working as Fellow Researcher (Associate Professor), at Bio composite Laboratory, Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products (INTROP), Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia and also Visiting Professor at Department of Chemical Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia since June 2013. He received his PhD from Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia. He has more than 10 years of experience in teaching, research and industries. His area of research includes natural fibers based polymer composites, hybrid composites, Nanocomposites, Nano cellulose, etc. So far he has published one Book, 10 Book Chapters and 75 ISI Journal Papers. He is also the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Malaysian Polymer Journal and reviewer of several high impact ISI Journals. Dr. Umer Rashid (PhD) is working as a Senior Fellow Researcher at Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia since 2011. He has obtained his M.S. in Chemistry in 2003, from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan and then completed his PhD degree also from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan in 2009 in the field of Analytical Chemistry. During his PhD he worked as a Visiting Scientist in the Food and Industrial Oil Research Group at the USDA in Peoria, IL, USA. He is also the recipient of 2007 The Industrial Oil Products Division Student Excellence Award by Industrial Oil Products Division of the American Oil Chemist's Society (AOCS), USA. He did his Post Doctorate in the field of Green Chemistry from Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Malaysia from 2010-2011. The focus of his research has been on the production and characterization of novel feed stocks for biodiesel production. He has produced 92 research papers in internationally recognized ISI journals, including 05 book chapters with foreign publishers. Currently, he is working on the synthesis of heterogeneous catalyst from carbon based sources for the utilization of high free fatty acid feed stocks for biodiesel production.