Little help from little beings

Research is exploring how organisms could be used to generate energy without photosynthesis. Converting carbon dioxide into organic molecules, liquid fuels could be made more efficiently is the belief. Maybe even pair the organisms with solar cells! Some microorganisms can use electricity to form organic molecules, such as methane. Tweak them a bit more and you could get liquid fuels?

Another approach involves microorganisms such as extremophiles. These don't use light as an energy source, nor draw energy from organic molecules, such as sugars, because those aren't available to them. Instead they draw energy from other sources, such as metal sulfides. They use inorganic molecules, such as carbon dioxide.

In a coming together of energy research and genetics, the genome structures of these has allowed scientists to identify entire metabolic pathways for converting carbon dioxide into various organic molecules. A bit more modification and these organisms produce fuels?

Or simply solar energy and inorganic catalysts to make fuel from water and carbon dioxide? Yes, artificial photosynthesis. But what is the EROEI is the troubling question? Not very high as of now.

Desperate times, desperate measures? Looks like Nature is the best teacher.