New virus makes butanol from cellulose, grass, paper

[spinningmagnets]

Tulane University has developed a virus that eats cellulose and produces butanol. The ability of ethanol (3 carbon center) to be used as a gasoline stretcher is well known (gasoline frequently found in the US with 10% ethanol). Butanol has 4 carbons at its center, and can be used as a direct replacement for gasoline without any changes to engines or the distribution infrastructure.

The most recent generation of gasoline pumps have already been upgraded to viton rubber seals to allow for the corrosiveness of the addition of ethanol.

I hope this is true. Its not a silver bullet that solves ALL the problems with military entanglements in the middle-east, pollution from automobile exhaust (global warming concerns, etc), or US independence from foreign resources, but...it couldn't hurt.

If true, it should be federally protected from oil-corporation intervention due to its strategic effect on vital national and GLOBAL interests. Genetically altered and robust saw-grass can produce cellulose from land that doesnt take away any national food-farming capacity or limited water resources.

http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-08-cars-recycled-newspaper-scientists.html

[Joseph C.]

It's not the only method of cultivating petrochemical. They have engineered bacteria to produce working diesel from sugar. However, this may be better.

The downside of both of course is there will be a trade off between food and fuel.

[eezz]

It's a clostridial bacteria, not a virus.

[nechaus]

They still don't know if a virus is dead or alive..

A virus needs a host to sustain it self.. so i don't understand how a virus can even do this

[TylerDurden]

It's a bacterium... it just needs food and cable tv.

[deVries]

It's a bacterium... it just needs food and cable tv.

At least Endless Sphere is a Big Step Up in the right direction... for a fuel efficient bacterium.