Renewable Petrol?!
Yeah, I know. Seems like fantasy talk, right?
Well, maybe not. A biotech firm called LS9 in Silicon Valley has announced something truly astounding. They have, in essence, engineered bacteria that break down organic waste and produce petroleum.
Some of you, specifically those with biochem knowledge, may be saying "BWAH?!" right about now. Check out this link. It explains a lot about their claims, and presents the info in relatively easy-to-understand language for the rest of us. You can also read this article for some different information but the same basic thrust.
What it boils down to is these bacteria, if used in large quantities successfully, will produce petroleum products in what is very nearly their final form. Instead of Flex-Fuels which require a whole new distribution system, these will simply be used instead of existing oil products, but in their place. They'll go through existing pipelines, into existing gas stations, and into existing engines. Or be used for other oil-based products. Like plastics, fertilizers, etc.
It's serious enough that the president of LS9 is a guy who spent 26 years as one of the big wigs at Shell Oil.
The company is releasing some of their scientific schematics soon, so if any debunking happens it will shortly follow those releases.
Really, check out those links. It's pretty fucking amazing. And while it won't solve the global warming concerns, it will help somewhat (read the articles). Also, it will be abig step towards solving the foreign oil concerns and could create a metric fuckton of new jobs in the U.S. Neither of which are bad things.
Well, maybe not. A biotech firm called LS9 in Silicon Valley has announced something truly astounding. They have, in essence, engineered bacteria that break down organic waste and produce petroleum.
Some of you, specifically those with biochem knowledge, may be saying "BWAH?!" right about now. Check out this link. It explains a lot about their claims, and presents the info in relatively easy-to-understand language for the rest of us. You can also read this article for some different information but the same basic thrust.
What it boils down to is these bacteria, if used in large quantities successfully, will produce petroleum products in what is very nearly their final form. Instead of Flex-Fuels which require a whole new distribution system, these will simply be used instead of existing oil products, but in their place. They'll go through existing pipelines, into existing gas stations, and into existing engines. Or be used for other oil-based products. Like plastics, fertilizers, etc.
It's serious enough that the president of LS9 is a guy who spent 26 years as one of the big wigs at Shell Oil.
The company is releasing some of their scientific schematics soon, so if any debunking happens it will shortly follow those releases.
Really, check out those links. It's pretty fucking amazing. And while it won't solve the global warming concerns, it will help somewhat (read the articles). Also, it will be abig step towards solving the foreign oil concerns and could create a metric fuckton of new jobs in the U.S. Neither of which are bad things.