Lowering the Cost of Biofuel Production

sciencehabit writes: 2014 was a banner year for making automotive fuel from nonfood crops, with a series of major new production plants opening in the United States. However, producing this so-called cellulosic ethanol remains considerably more expensive than gasoline. So researchers are always on the lookout for new ways to trim costs. Now they have a new lead: a microbe that can use abundant nitrogen gas as the fertilizer it needs to produce ethanol from plants. The discovery (abstract) is "a major commercial accomplishment for biofuel production," says microbiologist Steven Ricke.

Comments

What's really needed

[Anonymous Coward]

is an engine than runs on shit. Need some fuel? Pull them down and let er rip. Someone giving you shit? Thank him and be one your way.

Alcohol is not the answer

[penguinoid]

Sad to see that yet another person, when faced with the problem of our reliance on fossil fuels, turns to alcohol.

I'd tell them to get off my lawn, but if there's a chance they can turn my grass into fuel for my car, I guess I'll let them stay.