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Gasoline From Thin Air

Posted by kdawson on from the vanadium-nitrogenase dept.

disco_tracy writes "An enzyme found in the roots of soybeans could be the key to cars that run on air. If perfected, the tech could lead to cars partially powered on their own fumes. Even further into the future, vehicles could draw fuel from the air itself. Quoting: 'The new enzyme can only make two and three carbon chains, not the longer strands that make up liquid gasoline. However, Ribbe thinks he can modify the enzyme so it could produce gasoline. ... [Perfecting this process] won't happen anytime soon... "It's very, very difficult," to extract the vanadium nitrogenase, said Ribbe.'

7 of 283 comments (clear)

  1. Call me when it's in production by Red+Flayer · · Score: 4, Funny

    Vaporware, literally.

    --
    "Trolls they were, but filled with the evil will of their master: a fell race..." -- J.R.R. Tolkien on Olog-hai
    1. Re:Call me when it's in production by cthulu_mt · · Score: 4, Funny

      It should balance out those Prius drivers that love the smell of their own farts.

      --
      Virginia is for lovers. EVE is for griefers.
    2. Re:Call me when it's in production by EdIII · · Score: 2, Funny

      It should balance out those Prius drivers that love the smell of their own farts.

      We ALL love the smell of our own farts. One of those things we don't talk about or admit, like picking our noses in traffic.

      Now when you can't handle the smell of your own fart, that is when you can stand up and be proud.

  2. Lisa, get in here! by FrYGuY101 · · Score: 2, Funny

    In this house, we obey the laws of thermodynamics!

    --
    "If we let things terrify us, life will not be worth living."

    - Seneca
  3. Re:i dont understand why by danbert8 · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's because then you'd constantly require more vespene gas, and imagine how annoying that would be!

    --
    Yes it's an anecdote! Were you expecting original research in a Slashdot comment?
  4. Re:i dont understand why by Flea+of+Pain · · Score: 2, Funny

    Same as gasoline...you always require more vespene gas and eventually you just run out.

    --
    Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
  5. Re:Yet another by MJMullinII · · Score: 3, Funny

    Derr... if it gets too hot, we just turn up the A/C. A small increase in fossil fuel consumption to produce the required electricity is expected, which may increase AGW, but we can just turn up the A/C to compensate.

    Solving the problem once and for all!

    ONCE AND FOR ALL!!!

    --
    "Don't be a martyr -- BE THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY!"