nottelling
6th October 2011, 05:45
A MASSACHUSETTS biotechnology company says it can produce the fuel that runs cars and jet engines using the same ingredients that make grass grow.
Joule Unlimited has invented a genetically-engineered organism that it says simply secretes diesel fuel or ethanol wherever it finds sunlight, water and carbon dioxide.
The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company says it can manipulate the organism to produce the renewable fuels on demand at unprecedented rates, and can do it in facilities large and small at costs comparable to the cheapest fossil fuels.
What can it mean? No less than "energy independence", Joule's website tells the world, even if the world's not quite convinced.
"We make some lofty claims, all of which we believe, all of which we've validated, all of which we've shown to investors," said Joule chief executive Bill Sims.
More at the link: http://www.northernstar.com.au/story/2011/02/28/company-makes-diesel-with-sun-water-co2/
The Joule website: http://www.jouleunlimited.com/
The patents:
http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=1nznAQAAEBAJ&dq=U.S.+Patent+%237,981,647
http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=UTnnAQAAEBAJ
Other patents by Joule Unlimited: http://www.google.com/search?tbo=p&tbm=pts&hl=en&q=inassignee:%22Joule+Unlimited,+Inc.%22
I'm usually a little wary of anything which is genetically engineered. If this bacteria mutated and got out into the wild, we'd have an environmental disaster of global proportions which would far exceed the evils of the oil industry.
But having said that - Sounds awesome if it's feasible. Imagine a vehicle fuel reactor in every backyard? No more resource wars. Of course it remains to be seen if this technology will be "acquired" by some faceless multi-national and buried or not. I hope not. In the article the head honcho of Joule Unlimited is clearly obsessed with money, which is a clear sign he can be bought out. Open source tech which cannot be suppressed is needed in this situation.
Joule Unlimited has invented a genetically-engineered organism that it says simply secretes diesel fuel or ethanol wherever it finds sunlight, water and carbon dioxide.
The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company says it can manipulate the organism to produce the renewable fuels on demand at unprecedented rates, and can do it in facilities large and small at costs comparable to the cheapest fossil fuels.
What can it mean? No less than "energy independence", Joule's website tells the world, even if the world's not quite convinced.
"We make some lofty claims, all of which we believe, all of which we've validated, all of which we've shown to investors," said Joule chief executive Bill Sims.
More at the link: http://www.northernstar.com.au/story/2011/02/28/company-makes-diesel-with-sun-water-co2/
The Joule website: http://www.jouleunlimited.com/
The patents:
http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=1nznAQAAEBAJ&dq=U.S.+Patent+%237,981,647
http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=UTnnAQAAEBAJ
Other patents by Joule Unlimited: http://www.google.com/search?tbo=p&tbm=pts&hl=en&q=inassignee:%22Joule+Unlimited,+Inc.%22
I'm usually a little wary of anything which is genetically engineered. If this bacteria mutated and got out into the wild, we'd have an environmental disaster of global proportions which would far exceed the evils of the oil industry.
But having said that - Sounds awesome if it's feasible. Imagine a vehicle fuel reactor in every backyard? No more resource wars. Of course it remains to be seen if this technology will be "acquired" by some faceless multi-national and buried or not. I hope not. In the article the head honcho of Joule Unlimited is clearly obsessed with money, which is a clear sign he can be bought out. Open source tech which cannot be suppressed is needed in this situation.