Mascoma gets grant for ethanol research

Mascoma Corp., of Cambridge, has received $4.9 million from the US Department of Energy to help develop ways to turn cellulosic biomass into fuel-grade ethanol more quickly.

Mascoma’s researchers look for efficient ways to make ethanol from grass, wood, and various agricultural and forestry wastes.

The company will use the money in a joint project with Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, the DOE’s largest science and energy laboratory.

‘‘Commercializing the production of cellulosic ethanol is capital intensive, since it requires maintaining world-class R&D labs,’’ Mascoma CEO Bruce Jamerson said.

‘‘Though our investors have been extremely supportive, public support plays a critical complementary role in advancing the industry.’’
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)