Microbe power

Microbes have ruled the planet much before humans raised their heads. They have adapted in zillion ways to the myriad conditions on earth to survive and multiply. Smart as we humans think we are, it would be a good idea to learn a few tricks from these organisms.

Exactly what Luca Technologies did when they coaxed a few microorganisms to feed on coal and produce methane! According to a professor of economic geology at the University of Texas, all it requires would be one-hundredth of 1 percent of the coal in the US to generate natural gas demands in this way.

The company has raised $76 million to scale up a process that uses coal-digesting microorganisms to convert coal into methane. The methane produced, (the key component of natural gas) can then be pumped out and used to generate electricity or power vehicles. Once the process proves economical, it could even help reduce carbon-dioxide emissions. This is because burning natural gas releases half as much carbon dioxide as does burning coal.

There is more than one family of microbes at work here. While one breaks the hydrocarbon bonds, the other converts it into organic acids and alcohols. And another family produces the methane. By adding various nutrients, the researchers were able to increase the organism’s output of methane. They have done this in the lab and in coal beds.

A few months ago, research done at Montana State University discovered a fungus, Gliocladium roseum, which grows inside a tree in the Patagonian rainforest and naturally produces chemicals which are “remarkably similar to diesel” fuel. The organism produces an important combination of fuel substances. The chemical mixture ‘mycodiesel’, can be used in a modern diesel engine without modification according to the researchers. In fact, the genes of the fungus are just as useful as the fungus itself in the development of new biofuels.

These are findings which are still in initial stages and commercialization is still a far way off. But that’s about as much as a groping civilization in search of endless energy can do – clutch all straws! And hope some will keep us afloat.

Research into energy is the need of the hour and this has been recognized by India’s integrated energy policy as well, with its announcement of an energy fund with initial Rs 1000 crore allocation.

But perhaps more important is the need to develop academic institutions as centres of excellence in energy research. Universities could take a lead in this, taking a leaf from Stanford University which has raised $100 million to create a new research center focused on combating global warming and developing cleaner sources of energy.

The new Precourt Institute for Energy will focus on research related to improving energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, studying national energy policy and developing renewable power sources such as wind, solar and biomass.

We would love to hear about any research work from our institutions. There are a few projects ongoing at some of the IITs. Please let us know if you have heard of any.