Craig Venter: 18 months until 4th generation fuels
Filed under: Biodiesel, Emerging Technologies, Ethanol
13 minutes into his Ted Talk (see video below), Dr. Craig Venter says fourth generation fuels, that is, biofuels made by bacteria from C02, are just 18 months away. The systems might work with sequestered CO2 and possibly even solar energy. What are the "modest goals" of this project?
As you can see in the screen grab after the jump, #2 on his list is to "replace petrol-chemical industry" and #3 is to "become a major source of energy." Can he do it? Considering Venter mapped the human genome and casually talks about manipulating the blueprints of life like it was software code, I would not bet against him.
[Source: Ted.com via EcoGeek]
Spy Shots: Honda Civic Hybrid facelift
Spy Shots: Honda's hybrid-only Prius fighter!
Downer of the Day: Chevy Beat not coming to U.S.
Valmet to assemble Fisker Karma in Finland
GM to cut truck production by 300K units by 2009, cuts V8 development
Autoblog Green Podcast #24
Popular Mechanics to debunk the "run your car on water" myth
T. Boone Pickens unveils "The Plan" - big on wind power and natural gas
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-12-2008 @ 9:49AM
KarenRei said...
Algae farming for fuel, in studies I've seen so far, is typically quite expensive. But perhaps he can get the costs down.
Reply
3-12-2008 @ 10:01AM
Zigster said...
I would like to place a bet against him, please.
Reply
3-12-2008 @ 10:04AM
Schmeltz said...
Swwwwooooooooooshhh!
That was the sound of this article going over my head!
Reply
3-12-2008 @ 10:15AM
Dan said...
come on, all we need is one major breakthrough that actually works and we'll be on our way to real sustainable energy!
Reply
3-12-2008 @ 12:53PM
BoomBoom said...
I'll believe it when I can buy it at the pump. Ethanol folks went on and on about saving the planet and then just turned around and used corn for a really inefficient biofuel production. I hope this guy is right.
Reply
3-12-2008 @ 9:25PM
Ideno said...
Come now! Look at that classy hand gesture. This guy obviously knows what he's talking about. If I had more money, I'd put it on this guy. I hope he can give us solid breakthrough.
Reply
3-13-2008 @ 4:10PM
steve church sr said...
I have got a way to help save the enviroment i think, it will help but who knows. but an engineer. and someone who is smarter than me but I will share what I have copywitten and see what the public thinks about or maybe some feed back on if this could work or not.. thanks for the interest now lets get down to the idea. first do you know those smoke stakes that are all over the world causing pollution real bad.. this device will go around the top of that stake and cover it. nex the smoke or pollution thats getting into the atmosphere is deverted into a cylindric, type cylo, i guess thats how you would describe it and this cylo would be filled with 2 tons of deactivated charcoal. and at the bottom of the cylo would be a clear glass tube that would have a special type light that would neutralize what would come out of the charcoal.. why not we filter everything from coffee to our water why not emmissions. as well i have desighned a muffler for an automobile that would do the same whatt are the chances of this working.. I would like to know.. but it would probably work..any feedback would be appreciated.
Reply
3-14-2008 @ 4:05AM
Das Boese said...
Keeping in mind that artificial "bacteria" have already been created, I'd say he isn't too far off. I'm not so optimistic on the timescale, but we should have an economically feasible solution within the next 10 years or so. Biotechnology has great perspectives, just think of that new strain of bacteria recently discovered for cellulosic ethanol production.
Reply
3-18-2008 @ 11:10AM
steve church sr said...
plese send replys here sothers can tell me what they think
Reply
3-18-2008 @ 11:48AM
steve church sr said...
these comments should be placed in the right position im sorry but new to this sight,thanks
Reply