A new catalyst consisting of iron nanospheres (dark areas)
converts gas generated from plant waste into biofuel and
bioplastic building blocks in a single step. (Source: Hirsa M.
Torres Galvis, Utrecht University.) Interesting new material,
Ann. Since the result is a material that is not more
biodegradable than oil products, I would imagine the researchers
are seeking other advantages from the material. Is it that
branches are less expensive than oil? This reminds me of those
Mobil commercials where the research talks about the wonders of
algae and how they're growing them in the lab so they can one
day be used as a source of renewable fuel. The difference here,
and in other recent materials you've written about, Ann, is that
the "one day" is today. Think it's a way forward, most
landscaping companies and timber companies just dump branches
(in Africa), but they did mention production of Methane in large
amounts, it might be another way to go, as methane looks like a
good alternative to oil. Oil being more ca