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."

Comments

Re:Precision in Reporting ...

[Foske]

AUSTIN, Texas -- A newly created microbe [...] G.W. Bush has become father again ????

Do not let the Pope find out

[MazzThePianoman]

Because genetic manipulation is a moral sin. http://www.catholic.org/featured/headline.php?ID=5429 I feel bad for the Catholics that have to take insulin . . . .

Re:Very large surface area needed

[somersault]

Double fuel mileage and you only need 14350 square miles. Get commuters on more public transit: 12000 square miles. Get 25% of the cars on the road to go electric, 9000 square miles. And with all the suicidal bored people you've now created, you'll indirectly reduce the population even further, resulting in even less of a need for biofuel! Yay