Processing biomass

Abstract

Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed for use in the production of useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems can use biomass materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, to enhance the production of a product, e.g., the production of ethanol and/or butanol by fermentation.

1 . A method comprising:
 irradiating a fibrous material with a beam of electrons in air to produce a functionalized fibrous material having carboxylic acid groups extending outwardly therefrom, and   contacting the functionalized fibrous material with organisms such that the organisms become immobilized on the fibrous material.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the fibrous material comprises a lignocellulosic material. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the material comprises corn cobs and/or corn stover. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the electrons are accelerated. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the organisms comprise fermentative organisms. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the organisms comprise yeast and/or bacteria. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising, after immobilization of the organisms on the fibrous material, placing the fibrous material in an aqueous medium containing one or more low molecular weight sugars.