Biocatalysis

I love some of the promotional tag lines in the biofuels arena, and the newest one, courtesy of Joule Biotechnologies, is “fuel from thin air.” The Massachusetts-based firm has developed a genetically-engineered microbe that, according to the company, converts carbon dioxide, sunlight, and standard nutrients into ethanol. Joule estimates based on its lab data that the process can produce 25,000 gallons of ethanol for $50 per barrel. A pilot plant to prove this is planned for a yet-to-be-disclosed location in the American Southwest. Hold on to your horses!