Breaking down lignin

I just saw a short article over at Discover Magazine which mentions work being done by Ratna Sharma-Shivappa at NCSU in developing a process to break down lignin in plants, allowing them to access hidden carbohydrates.  Lignin is the woody material found in grasses.  By grinding up the grass (miscanthus in her work) and then exposing this to ozone, she is able to break down the lignin while leaving in tack the valuable carbohydrates.  These can then be fermented to produce ethanol for fuel.