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Plants produce gasoline

12.04.2016

American scientists led by Timothy Devaren identified a protein contained in the extremely widespread algae Botryococcus braunii. It is he who is the reason for the unique ability of these algae to produce combustible materials that can be used in a variety of fuels (for example, to create a replacement for kerosene, diesel fuel, and so on).

These algae can be found in water of all temperatures throughout the Earth, and are very good at producing hydrocarbon fuels that can be burned in place of oil and its derivatives. But the problem is that algae produce them in rather small quantities, and therefore the researchers were looking for the natural mechanism that allows Botryococcus braunii to generate such valuable material. They now know that a protein controlled by a gene called lycopaoctane synthase regulates the level of carbohydrate production.

By introducing this gene into other plants (such as tobacco plants) or another algae, scientists could potentially significantly increase the production of biofuels.

It takes a single Botryococcus cell about a week to double in size, while fast-growing algae - which currently does not produce biofuels - doubles the number of cells in just six hours. It may be possible to transfer genetic information into organisms like fast-growing algae, or simply land plants that produce a lot of biomass, and make them generate fuel for us.

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The German company "Baufritz" produces prefabricated houses with shielding from electromagnetic radiation. The rooms of such a house are finished with plasterboard panels, on which carbon powder is sprayed, absorbing electromagnetic waves by 98 percent.

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True, radios and televisions with a built-in antenna do not work well inside the house. And it is better not to use a cell phone in a shielded house: many models automatically increase the radiation power in case of poor hearing, and the speaker is holding this generator of electromagnetic waves right at the temple.

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