Posted on 04/16/2015 5:03:40 PM PDT by BenLurkin
The breakthrough technology is a hybrid of semiconducting nanowires and bacteria that can take in carbon dioxide and use solar energy to convert it into pharmaceutical drugs, biodegradable plastics or liquid fuels.
The U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the University of California, Berkeley, developed the system.
The hybrid system mimics natural photosynthesis, the process used by plants to take energy from sunlight and synthesize carbohydrates out of water and carbon dioxide.
In the hybrid system, however, the CO2 and water are used to synthesis acetate, a basic building block for biosynthesis, the researchers explain.
(Excerpt) Read more at techtimes.com ...
Unintended consequences, anyone?
“...the CO2 and water are used to synthesis acetate...”
That’s effing nail polish remover! Paint thinner!
Yep. That’ll be GREAT for our lakes and rivers!
*Rolleyes*
This type of energy conversion is inherently the most efficient, but living things renew themselves (just by living); the trick here is to make such an artificial system durable and lasting.
You might be thinking of acetone.
I guess I am. Time for a Mani-Pedi, LOL!
BUT - my sentiment stays. This is more of the same with these EnviroWeenies.
Re: CF Bulbs FULL of Mercury. I need to don a Hazmat suit at work when one of those suckers breaks!
We never allowed CFL bulbs in our house. Mercury notwithstanding, the quality of the light they emit is AWFUL.
We’re in the process of switching to LED bulbs. They throw clean, white light, are dimmable, and are supposed to last just short of forever. Also, they use very little electricity (compared to incandescent lighting).
And no mercury.
Agreed. We’re having our entire store re-lit. It’s going to be gawd-awful expense, but the return on investment is just a few years.
CFL bulbs improved greatly over the years. Most of them have less flicker than incandescents. However, they are getting harder to find. LED bulbs vary in quality, usually in relation to price paid. They won’t last forever. The LED’s dim over time, but usually the electronics will burn out first.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.