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You just have to hand it to our scientists. Really. I mean without them, where would we be? I don’t think we would’ve made any strides in evolving and improving our ways of life if they weren’t able to come up with a cool invention or discovery every now and then. So what have they done now that merits an entry? Well, it seems that a group of scientists from the biotech company, L9, have found a way to help in the speedy production of diesel oil.

How does it work? Well, what they were able to do was to create a certain bacteria – made from a harmless strain of E. coli - that once fed with plant materials, is able to produce and excrete diesel oil. That’s right, they were able to create a bacteria that pretty much poops diesel oil. Since it takes a while (a really long while to be exact) for our planet to create oil, scientist are hoping to eliminate the waiting process with the help of this bacteria.

While I honestly think that this is a breakthrough, I just couldn’t help but find it to be a little amusing as well. I mean, the human being is currently the top dog in the evolution chain. And here we are, solely dependent on the excretions of a simple – and altered – bacterium for one of our most important resources. Call me crazy but I can’t help but find humor in that.

So when can these new bacteria make an impact and start producing diesel oil by mass? Well, L9 expects it to be in about three to four years. Hopefully by that time, we’d still be dependent on the use of diesel fuel. You never know if the hybrids or electric vehicles will be able to take over by that time.

Sources: Kicking Tires, CNN



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Comments

  • curmudgeon said on Aug 15, 2008....
    Even so, producing oil from waste products won't just benefit the auto world. It will help with home heating, lubrication, petroleum-dependent products of every sort, all sorts of applications.
     
    The potential for energy independence is just staggering!

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