And the first integrated circuit chip cost $1,000 each. Now they cost pennies. As usual the first customer was the military. Since the stone age, military spending drives the "cutting edge" of technology. If a world war breaks out America would have the algae fuel problem solved quickly. Until then we spend our national treasure on foodstamps.
The initial amount spent on algae to date may pay off eventually, and it’s proper for the military to try to determine what is possible. But look at how casually the current regime is funneling money to political buddies, let alone how the GOP has been complicit in other boondoggles. We see initiatives that are not ready getting government handouts. There is a difference between integrated circuits and ethanol.
It’s fine if the government looks at possible future energy options. I don’t want immature technologies to grow into jobs programs/slush funds for political ends.