Is Bacteria Fuel the Next Big Thing? -- Alternative Fuels -- Biotechnology

0Reader Recommendations

Is Bacteria Fuel the Next Big Thing?

While LS9’s research seems promising, bacteria fuel will have some competition to become the fuel of the future. Here’s a look at how it compares with three other major players among alternative fuels.

Bacteria Fuel

PRO: 50% more energy per gallon than ethanol; no need for refining
CON: Hasn’t been tried on a large scale yet; potential regulatory issues

Algae Biodiesel

PRO: Cheaper and more efficient to produce than soy biodiesel or ethanol
CON: Delicate algae are hard to keep alive and churning oil by the billions

Ethanol

PRO: Made from common crops such as corn; proven and existing technology
CON: Less energy than biodiesel; needs pricey, eco-unfriendly refining

Soy Biodiesel

PRO: Made from soybean oil, which is already widely made; nontoxic
CON: Costlier than bacteria or algae fuel; turns solid at low temperatures

From Issue 122 | February 2008

Comment

Special Sections

Brought to you by FastCompany.com and Homewood Suites

Enter for a chance to win $5,000 and to be featured in a special article written by our editors.

Special Editions?

Featured Services

Click to See Why... Great companies run SAP, not just great big companies.
HP Officejet Pro Printers and Inks. Professional color printing for up to half the cost of laser.
Event Marketing Experts Freeman - Full-service strategic, creative and production services for any event.
HOOV LANE Your boss wants it and he wants it now. Done.
Laserjet3600N HP Color LaserJet 3600n printer. Up to 17 ppm, network-ready. $399 after $100 instant savings. SHOP NOW.
Why get a room when you can get a suite? Homewood Suites. Make Yourself at Home^TM
Biz Plans 101 Start yours here.
Alternative Thinking About Business And Technology: Learn how HP can help you run IT like a business at hp.com/alt

Whatever your size, there's a Sun solution for your business. Learn More.
Bye-Bye Paper Jams See Fellowes' new 100% Jam Proof shredders at fellowes.com/jamproof.
Join Richard BRANSON and others! March 9-12, 2008, Orlando, FL. Mention FastCompany.com, get 50% discount!
FedEx Kinko's® Print Online Simply upload your documents and we'll do the rest.
Harvard Business School STRATEGIC FINANCE FOR SMALLER BUSINESSES.
Comcast Business Class Internet, Voice, TV.
Red Hat Linux virtualization--Open source flexibility. No lock-in.
Get more leads. Pay-per-click puts your business at the top of search page results.

Fast Talk-?

Is there anything wrong with one company (eBay) buying a stake in another company (Craig’s List) and then starting a competing company (Kijiji)?

Question suggested by Fast Company staff

See All Responses

What do you want to ask the Fast Company community?

Suggest a Question

Have more to say on any topic?

Start a Blog

Most Popular Feeds ?

1.	Member Contributions	Add to my page
2.	Scobleizer -- Tech geek blogger	Add to my page
3.	RSS for Homepage Content	Add to my page
4.	Cool Tools	Add to my page
5.	Tom Peters	Add to my page
6.	Zen Habits	Add to my page
7.	Engadget	Add to my page
8.	Cool Hunting	Add to my page
9.	Eco Geek	Add to my page
10.	Fast Talk	Add to my page

Featured Members: Innovation?

Rip Empson, Chairperson
Blog post, 5/15/08
alex alex, Student
Blog post, 5/15/08
Robert Scoble, Director
Article, 5/15/08
Marc Vitorillo, Owner / Partner
Blog post, 5/15/08
Ralph Paglia, Director
Blog post, 5/15/08

Find People

Recently Active Groups?

Innovation
FastCompany.com has always been about the...

213 Members | 41 Discussions
Buffalo - Company of Friends
Welcome to the Buffalo COF group. This group...

15 Members | 1 Discussion
Las Vegas - Company of Friends
Welcome to the Las Vegas COF group. This group...

32 Members | 1 Discussion
Toronto - Company of Friends
Welcome to the Toronto COF group. This group...

235 Members | 7 Discussions
Wellington - Company of Friends
Welcome to the Wellington COF group. This...

12 Members | 1 Discussion

Find Groups

Search

0Reader Recommendations