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Shamus Funk

ProfessorFunk

Shamus is a freelance writer for the Motley Fool focusing on energy, agriculture, and materials. He has his Ph.D. in Chemistry from North Dakota State University. After graduation, Shamus worked at a small biotechnology firm before becoming a professor of chemistry.

Recent Articles by Shamus Funk

Mar 21, 2014 by Shamus Funk

Can Fuel Cells Survive Without Subsidies?

The orders for Plug Power fuel cell units keep coming in, and the company's stock price has seen a lot of volatility recently on account of these orders. Will the orders keep coming when the Recovery Act stops sharing the customers' costs?

Mar 19, 2014 by Shamus Funk

Biofuels Trying to Hit Big Oil Where It Hurts

Biofuel companies will struggle to match the sheer volume and production costs realized by Big Oil companies, but they can challenge Big Oil in the production of specialty chemicals.

Mar 18, 2014 by Shamus Funk

KiOR Earnings Not Worth the Wait

KiOR delayed reporting its financials as long as possible. When the filing was finally made, big operational and technological troubles were revealed.

Mar 16, 2014 by Shamus Funk

The Biggest Threat to the Banana Industry Doesn't End With Bananas

Corn and bananas share vulnerabilities that should have Monsanto and Chiquita worried.

Mar 9, 2014 by Shamus Funk

Why Does BMW Have a Heart-Pounding Performance Driving School That Anyone Can Attend?

BMW is marketing a brand synonymous with performance, and the BMW Performance Driving School is the perfect marketing tool for attracting interest from the company's target market.

Mar 8, 2014 by Shamus Funk

Winners and Losers When Crop Prices Drop

Long before the situation in Ukraine began dominating news coverage, the USDA predicted that crop commodity prices would drop in 2014. Here are some companies that would be affected by such a drop.

Mar 6, 2014 by Shamus Funk

Will Biofuels Be at the Core of the Next Manhattan Project?

Biofuels are a necessary component of the energy future for the United States, but major investments are needed before they can play a leading role.

Mar 3, 2014 by Shamus Funk

The Forgotten Fertilizer

When investors think, read, or talk about fertilizers, the topic is most often just nitrogen, with a little potash thrown into the discussion if global unrest dictates. What about phosphates?

Feb 27, 2014 by Shamus Funk

The Future of Ethanol Demand

There are many ways to capitalize on renewable fuels investments, but is ethanol still a viable consideration for renewable energy investors?

Feb 25, 2014 by Shamus Funk

Who Will Follow Chipotle’s Anti-GMO Lead?

Chipotle currently labels all GMO-containing ingredients and has vowed to go GMO-free as soon as it can. What other restaurants have what it takes to follow Chipotle's lead?

Feb 20, 2014 by Shamus Funk

Are Monsanto Company and GMOs the Victim?

GMOs are controversial to say the least, and in part due to its role in the spread of GMOs, Monsanto has all but secured its position as America's most hated company. Is Monsanto deserving of the public distaste, or should its research and development efforts be applauded?

Feb 16, 2014 by Shamus Funk

Big Companies Are Buying Into Biofuels

Big oil and chemical companies have financial resources and established infrastructure that is, at this point, unavailable to smaller biofuel companies. In the world of biofuels, maybe size does matter.

Feb 13, 2014 by Shamus Funk

How to Power a Fuel Cell Company

Plug Power and Ballard Power are both making their marks in the fuel cell market, albeit via different business approaches. Which company's approach will win out over the long-term?

Feb 11, 2014 by Shamus Funk

Should You Trust Weather Predictions From the Government?

The U.S. Energy Information Administration predicts warmer weather for 2014, which would lead to a decrease in natural gas consumption. Should investors be wary of natural gas producers based on government forecasting?

Feb 11, 2014 by Shamus Funk

Mosaic Earnings Set a Baseline for Fertilizers

Mosaic's year-over-year earnings were ugly, and that is to be expected for the rest of the fertilizer industry as well. Mosaic's operational improvements, however, provide a baseline for comparison on how fertilizer companies are able to handle the decline in nutrient prices.

Feb 10, 2014 by Shamus Funk

Is Wheat the Next Big GMO for Monsanto Company?

Two roads diverge for Monsanto: bringing engineered wheat to the commercial market or backing away from GMOs. Which path will Monsanto take?

Feb 7, 2014 by Shamus Funk

Can Shark Liver Oil Boost Biofuels?

Amyris continues to expand their market for renewable specialty chemicals as it ramps up production rates. Cosmetics and other niche markets will help to pay the bills while the biofuel market gains momentum.

Feb 5, 2014 by Shamus Funk

Fertilizers May Be the EPA's Latest Victim

Proposed changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard established by the Environmental Protection Agency call for a cut in ethanol production, which could have a cascading effect on nitrogen fertilizer companies.

Feb 4, 2014 by Shamus Funk

Can DuPont Take a Bite From the GMO Pie?

DuPont's agricultural segment continues to outperform the rest of the company's business segments. Does it have what it takes to compete with Monsanto?

Feb 3, 2014 by Shamus Funk

January's Hottest "Grandma Stocks"

Kimberly-Clark and Hershey both saw gains in January as the biggest market indexes saw declines. It looks to be a good year for classic grandma stocks!

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