4.14.2010

ASU's solution for the world's looming energy crisis, bacteria

  • Bacteria normally make energy-rich fatty acids (Oil) for their own use.
  • Specialized microbes called cyanobacteria use photosynthesis to convert sunlight into energy, just like plants.
  • Researchers at The Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University (who said ASU was just a party school?) found a way to utilize this process as a source of renewable energy.
  • How'd they do it? Genetic modifications permitting the bacteria to significantly increase their lipid (stored energy) production and secretion (so we can collect & use them) without dying in the process.
  • Big-time pros:
    • Oil produced and processed in 1 step.
    • Only energy input required is sunlight.
    • No need to use/maintain cropland (e.g. for plant-based sources)
  • Questions I have:
    • How much processing after collecting the bacterial oil would be needed in order to use it?
    • What other resources are needed for the bacteria to survive & how much do they cost?
    • Cost-effective for large-scale energy production?

Microbes ooze oil for renewable energy from Biodesign Institute on Vimeo.


http://www.biodesign.asu.edu/news/microbes-reprogrammed-to-ooze-oil-for-renewable-biofuel

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