The same bug that can cause upset stomachs in humans is now being used to produce a biofuel that could someday replace gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. The process uses a genetically modified version of E. coli, which is mixed with sugar cane in large vats of water. As the microbes metabolize the sugars, they produce fatty acids with the same hydrocarbon configuration as petroleum. The fuel has a higher energy content than ethanol or butanol and can go directly into vehicles or be further processed at a refinery. The price is already competitive with conventional diesel. Large-scale production is expected to begin as early as 2011.
Could the process work with other biomass, making it even more cost effective? What other trends do you see happening in the race for crude oil independence?
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Tags: Alternative Fuel, BioFuel, Biomass, Burrus, Dan Burrus, Daniel Burrus, Energy, Energy Independence, Future, Future Technology, Future Trends, Oil Dependency
