Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble – there's a new genetically enhanced bacteria strain that literally craps ethanol at high temperatures. The bacteria strain, called TM242, is particularly special because it can eat any kind of organic waste and metabolize it into ethanol, so long as it's kept "snug as a bug in a rug" at a sizzling 65 degrees Celcius.
Britain's TMO Renewables is looking to mass produce this bug juice in many regions, with the feed dependent on what the area has in excess. For instance, U.S. production will utilize the five and a half feet of corn stalk that isn't edible – a definite advantage over current ethanol production methods.
TMO Renewables seems to be leaps and bounds ahead of the competition in terms of a green and economically sound method for production – but they can't quite compete with the massive volume other methods put out… yet.
"We have an interesting beasty that was found on the side of a volcano in Montserrat just before it exploded (in 1995)," said Curran. "That one eats vegetable oil, drinks methanol and shits biodiesel."
Oh how cute – I want one!
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