Artificial Organism To Turn Sunlight into Diesel Fuel

19/09/2010 at 10:46 pm · Filed under Renewable Energies, Scientific Research, Technology and tagged: Bio-Fuels, Diesel, Exxon Mobil, Hydrocarbon, Joule Biotechnologies, Synthetic Genomics, USA

www.independent.co.uk 17th September 2o10

The American company Joule Biotechnologies announced on the 14th September that it has patented an organism that can create hydro-carbons directly from sunlight. The organism was created from a modified cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) merged with various enzymes. Unlike other bio-fuels, “Joule’s Liquid Energy” does not require additional sugar and, the company believes, can be used as a replacement for ethanol and diesel fuels. Current tests are taking place in Texas and if successful the organism can be rolled out on a commercial scale by 2012. Due to the relatively simple manufacturing process the bio-fuel could be on the market cheaper than conventional fossil fuels.

Exxon Mobil are pursuing a similar project with the help of Synthetic Genomics Inc.

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