Futuristic Fuels – Article by the Texas Scientist

Some of the most revolutionary ideas for powering our increasingly energy-hungry society sound a bit like science fiction, requiring only abundantly available and affordable resources. Yet University of Texas at Austin scientists are taking steps in the direction of that future even now. They are looking to harness the extreme conditions inside the sun and the immense energy stored in atoms for new sources of energy. They’re exploring exotic quasiparticles to turn water and sunlight into hydrogen fuel. And they’re examining the genetics and microbial keys to what some would call a weed with the potential to become the best-ever biofuel. Here are four leading ideas about the future of energy and Texas scientists’ assessments of how close we are to switching them on.

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