Scientists at ASU Develop Fuel from Bacteria

TEMPE - Scientists at ASU have found a way to produce fuel naturally, without drilling. The ASU-patented technology grows bacteria and turns it into a gas.

In a lab at the Biodesign Institute at ASU, scientists have engineers a special kind of bacteria that can turn into fuel.

"We are not growing gasoline but we are growing a bug, a bacteria, that produces gasoline," says Dr. Ravi Vannela.

It's similar to algae. It converts sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into biofuel, and it doesn't need any land to grow on.

So how many gallons of the bacteria does it take to make a gallon of gasoline for your car? "The answer is 12 gallons of that makes a gallon of fuel," says Dr. Vannela.

Scientists are working to scale the project up so that it's available to the public. If all goes well, ASU thinks the gasoline made from bacteria will hit the market in 5 to 6 years.

They're also hopeful that their biofuel will not cost any more than traditional gas costs at the pump. If it's competitively priced, it will be more successful.