The Next Generation of Biofuels

Scientific American by Melinda Wenner | Apr. 21, 2009 (Special Report)

Companies are poised to go commercial with gasoline substitutes made from grass, algae and the ultimate source: engineered microorganisms

Once the next generation of biofuels becomes available, you could swing by the local energy station and fill up on a liquid that is virtually identical to gasoline. It would be made by U.S. companies, not shipped from the Middle East. And even though biofuels release carbon dioxide when they are burned, the organisms they are made from draw an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide from the air—making biofuels essentially carbon-neutral. Full Story »

Posted by Kaizar Campwala

More Info

Related Comments: Climate Change (9)

3.6

by Fabrice Florin - Apr. 22, 2009

In-depth report about gasoline substitutes made from grass, algae and engineered microorganisms. This article is factual, well researched, with many credible sources and helpful context about this promising alternative to fossil fuels.

See Full Review » (12 answers)

3.8

by Dwight Rousu - Apr. 21, 2009

Wenner provides an overview that looks more at the promise and glitter of new ideas. Some of the problems are mentioned, but expert review of the science, ecology, and costs is missing.

At least there seems to be a consensus that biodiesel from corn and cane is a bust. Thermal solar seems more ready.

See Full Review » (12 answers)

4.3

by Glenn LaBauve - Apr. 21, 2009

See Full Review » (11 answers)

4.3

by Kaizar Campwala - Apr. 21, 2009

Big Oil can't get beyond petroleum - 5 Reviews » ... More »

Exxon $600 Million Algae Investment Makes Khosla See Pipe Dream - 6 Reviews » ... More »

Kaizar posted this story.

See Full Review » (10 answers)

3.9

by Mindy Phypers - Apr. 24, 2009

I have learned to take glowing reviews of potential breakthroughs with a grain of salt. So many, for one reason or another, never make it to the market or successfully solve the problem they were intended to solve. Still an interesting avenue to think about. We need to think about all the tools available in this present global climate emergency and what mix is likely to be most effective.

See Full Review » (11 answers)

2.8

by Norman Rogers - Apr. 21, 2009

The Scientific American has a long history of leftist activism. I've read documents from the fuel from algae project that was killed by Clinton. It is interesting. However the gee whiz approach is not justified.

See Full Review » (5 answers)

4.6

by Charli West - Apr. 21, 2009

I think so, my biggest concern is which microbe will make the cut first.

See Full Review » (6 answers)

3.9

Good

from 7 reviews (50% confidence)

Quality

3.9

Facts

4.1

Fairness

3.9

Information

3.5

Sourcing

3.8

Style

3.8

Context

4.2

Depth

3.7

Enterprise

3.6

Relevance

4.0

Popularity

3.8

Recommendation

3.9

Credibility

4.0

# Reviews

3.5

# Views

5.0

# Likes

1.0

# Emails

1.0

How our ratings work »

Big Oil can't get beyond petroleum

Washington Post by Eborah Gordon, Daniel Sperling | Jun. 14, 2010 (Opinion)

Oil companies, of course, have invested heavily in marketing campaigns designed to show that they are busy thinking up ways to supply tomorrow's cleaner energy. In addition to ...

Posted by Beth Wellington

3.9

See Reviews »

Exxon $600 Million Algae Investment Makes Khosla See Pipe Dream

Bloomberg by Kambiz Foroohar | Jun. 3, 2010 (News)

“We’ve produced tens of thousands of gallons, and by the end of 2010, I hope I can say we’ve produced hundreds of thousands,” Wolfson, 39, says. “In the next two ...

Posted by Beth Wellington

4.0

See Reviews »

Add a related link