gasoline

Recycled newspapers could fuel your car, say scientists

Don't give up on the newspaper industry just yet--it could soon be powering your car. Researchers at Tulane University have discovered a strain of bacteria that can turn paper into butanol, a biofuel substitue for gasoline.

The bacteria, dubbed "TU-103," was found when the folks in David Mullin's lab in Tulane's Department of Cell and Molecular Biology were weeding through the contents of some animal droppings one day. It turned out to be some lucky scat--TU-103 is believed to be the first bacterial strain from nature that produces butanol directly from cellulose, an organic matter found in everything from paper to Caesar salads.

"Cellulose is found in all green plants, and is the most abundant organic material on earth, and converting it into butanol is the dream of many," said Harshad Velankar, a postdoctoral fellow in Mullin's lab, in a statement last week. "In the United States alone, at least 323 million tons of cellulosic materials that could be used to produce butanol are thrown out each year." … Read more

Cellulosic-ethanol industry struggles to take off

The great promise of a car fuel made from cheap, clean-burning prairie grass or wood chips--and not from expensive corn that feeds the world--is more mirage than reality.

Despite years of research, testing, and some hype, the next-generation ethanol industry is far from the commercial success envisioned by President George W. Bush in 2006, when he pledged so-called cellulosic biofuels would be "practical and competitive" by 2012.

Instead the only real alternative to traditional gasoline is ethanol made from corn, a fuel environmentalists say is not green at all because of the energy-intensive nature of modern farming.

Critics … Read more

GasBuddy might just be a driver's best friend

GasBuddy uses your mobile device's GPS and the latest user-reported gas station data to help you locate the lowest fuel prices in your area. It's a free download that will very likely save you money in the long run.

GasBuddy is cleanly designed and easy to use. Fire it up, and search by city or ZIP code, or simply click Find Gas Near Me. Either way, the app will quickly pull up a list of the gas stations in your area and sort by price or distance. And if you want, you can switch to the slightly more … Read more

Obama calls for deep cuts in U.S. oil imports

President Barack Obama set an ambitious goal today to cut U.S. oil imports by a third over 10 years, focusing on a source of anxiety for Americans as high gasoline prices threaten economic recovery.

Obama outlined his strategy in a speech after spending days explaining U.S.-led military action in Libya, where fighting, accompanied by unrest elsewhere in the Arab world, has helped push U.S. gasoline prices toward $4 a gallon.

"There are no quick fixes. And we will keep on being a victim to shifts in the oil market until we get serious about a … Read more

Mercedes debuts new, efficient, four-cylinder E-Class models

Mercedes-Benz has announced the addition of new four-cylinder E 200 CDI and CGI BlueEfficiency models to the European 2010 E-Class lineup.

The thrifty E 200 CDI is powered by a common-rail, direct-injected, 2.1-liter, diesel engine that outputs 136-horsepower and a staggering 365 pound-feet of torque. Zero to 62 mph happens in a decent 10.2 seconds, but what's most impressive is the 45.2 mpg that it averages while doing so.

Those who want a little bit more speed can hit 62 mph in 8.7 seconds in the E 200 CGI, which is powered by a turbocharged, … Read more

Virent Energy to turn sugar into green gasoline

NEW YORK--Virent Energy Systems later this year will open a demonstration plant that will convert sugar water into the chemical equivalent of gasoline.

The company is now in the process of raising a C round of funding to build the facility in Madison, Wis., which is scheduled to be open by the third quarter of this year, said Virent Energy CEO Lee Edwards.

The pilot plant will be able to produce 10,000 gallons a year of liquid hydrocarbons--either gasoline, jet fuel, or diesel, he said. The feedstock can be sugar cane, sugar beets, or other plants.

Edwards spoke at … Read more

Shell announces new nitrogen-enhanced gasoline

Starting today, all Shell gas stations will be pumping a new fuel: Shell's nitrogen-enhanced gasoline.

Before you start speculating about the wonder fuel of tomorrow, understand that this nitrogen-enriched gasoline differs from the gas Shell was pumping yesterday in its engine-cleaning detergents and additives.

Shell claims that its nitrogen-enriched gasoline cleans better than before and protects better against engine buildup. Of note, all three grades of gasoline will contain the nitrogen-enriched detergents, with its V-Power premium grade containing five times the government-mandated amount. The results are fewer intake deposits, cleaner combustion chambers, and less fuel injector fouling and intake … Read more

The 404 172: Where it's twenty-O eight

What should we call this decade? The "aughts"? Come 2011, will we be in the "teens"? Audiophiliac blogger Steve Guttenberg philosophizes on the show today and shows off his math skills before abandoning all human decency in his disdain for Eric Clapton. Also, Senator John McCain and Daddy Yankee swap gasolina as Justin ogles pictures of his beloved Sarah Silverman.

Dan the Mantern here, blogging for Justin, who left the office to run off poster size color copies of Sarah Silverman. Speaking of nice Jewish girls, today's show was like Friday night services with Jeff, … Read more

Where we're biting off a little more than we can actually chew

Today Dave Karp from Tumblr.com tells us why we should all be tumblelogging. Plus we'll get a movie review from Justin and Dave about--brace yourself--Teeth. All this and the new Cleveland show, Indiana Jones 4, and Uwe Boll's craptastic Postal movie. EPISODE 102 Download today's podcast