The researchers wanted to see how different treatments affected the breakdown of cellulose in corn stalks. They tried using high heat, acid, alkali lye, and liquid ammonia. The best treatment was dilute alkali, making the cellulose easier to convert. The best conditions were with 1% NaOH, 15°C, and a 1:20 ratio of corn stalks to liquid. After 72 hours of this treatment, 73.5% of the cellulose turned into sugars, ready for energy use. However, some hemicellulose, another useful part of the plant, was lost in the process, decreasing by 33.1%. This approach improved how efficiently corn stalks can be used for making biofuels or other products.