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Solar Powered Microbes Manufacture Biofuels
esocid alerts us to news that scientists from the University of Texas at Austin have created a microbe capable of making cellulose, which can then be turned into ethanol. The bacteria use sunlight as an energy source, and the cellulose can be harvested without destroying them. Quoting:
"The new cyanobacteria produce a relatively pure, gel-like form of cellulose that can be broken down easily into glucose.
'The problem with cellulose harvested from plants is that it's difficult to break down because it's highly crystalline and mixed with lignins [for structure] and other compounds,' Nobles says. He was surprised to discover that the cyanobacteria also secrete large amounts of glucose or sucrose, sugars that can be directly harvested from the organisms."
Any other "useful" *wink wink* chemicals produced in that gel?
I imagine that what they'll get is a horse's head in their bed, courtesy of InterGlobalPetroCorp.
If you were blocking sigs, you wouldn't have to read this.
I don't think that was his intention. The area required to farm any useful amount of karma would be around 820,000 square miles.
That's an area almost the size of the entire Midwest.
I think you got lapped, dude. You were so insightful, moderation overflowed longint and wrapped back around to -1 troll. One more mod point and you'll unset all the bits and be back at 0.
If you frequent McDonald's, you already produce gas, meat, and plastic in a bio-reactor, so this isn't new technology.
Just callin' it like I see it.
... that is, Protozoa for the Ethical Treatment of Amoebae. Humans don't have the right to enslave bacteria.
Research shows that 67% of those who use the term "research shows", are just making shit up.
They're still workin on the linux drivers. But don't worry, this year really is *the* year.
Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
Gatorade factory?
If your neighbours roof is flying past your window, you know it's cyclone season.
Didn't you guys see I am Legend? I just saw it last weekend. This is a terrible Idea, they're going to develope a mutant strain of bacteria that will turn all 'designated' corn into fuel. Then in a few years it will turn all the plants, not just the corn into human eating vegimonsters that will devower all people and force us to live in New Hampsher in a walled colony with just the few vegetables (asparagus, brussel sprouts) that are immune. That is until a super smart plant in manhattan develops are cure and is killed right after it's made. Luckily he attached it to a few dandylion seeds that floated to NH so the cure was not lost.
No Thanks, I'll just keep burning oil!
Do not meddle in the affairs of sysadmins, for they are subtle, and quick to anger.
It's got what cyanobacteria crave!
LOL... I've seen this, too. Another reason to hate driving. At least you can't claim to be bored!
This, by the way, just feeds my friends theory that cars are too safe. He claims that putting a giant metal spike in the middle of the steering wheel will make everyone safer (and presumably dissuade horn usage).
W..w..W - Willy Waterloo washes Warren Wiggins who is washing Waldo Woo.