Teaching algae to make fuel: New process could lead to production of hydrogen using bioengineered microorganisms
Tuesday, May 24, 2011 - 12:30
in Physics & Chemistry
Many kinds of algae and cyanobacteria, common water-dwelling microorganisms, are capable of using energy from sunlight to split water molecules and release hydrogen, which holds promise as a clean and carbon-free fuel for the future. One reason this approach hasn't yet been harnessed for fuel production is that under ordinary circumstances, hydrogen production takes a back seat to the production of compounds that the organisms use to support their own growth.