Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have pioneered a biological method to transform methane and carbon dioxide into eco-friendly biofuel, marking a significant stride in sustainable energy innovation.
The advanced technique, developed using Methylosinus trichosporium bacteria, offers a cleaner and more cost-effective alternative to existing chemical methods for bio-methanol production.
This groundbreaking research, led by Prof. Debasish Das and Dr. Krishna Kalyani Sahoo of the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, was published in Fuel, a renowned journal by Elsevier.
Methane, a greenhouse gas nearly 30 times more potent than carbon dioxide, is a major driver of global warming.
Existing chemical approaches to converting these gases into liquid fuels are energy-intensive, expensive, and often yield toxic by-products, making them unsuitable for large-scale applications.
The IIT Guwahati team’s fully biological process operates under mild conditions, negating the need for costly catalysts or harmful by-products.
Speaking about this innovative breakthrough, Prof. Das stated, “This research demonstrates that bio-methanol, derived from bacteria feeding on methane and carbon dioxide, can be a viable alternative to fossil fuels.”
He further explained that this method circumvents the “food vs. fuel” dilemma, which arises when biofuels are produced from agricultural crops.
Instead, it utilises greenhouse gases, making it both environmentally and economically sustainable.
The produced bio-methanol has versatile applications, not only as a clean fuel but also as an industrial precursor for chemicals like formaldehyde and acetic acid.
Dr. Sahoo highlighted its potential to decarbonise critical industries, such as oil refining and chemical manufacturing, providing a pathway towards a greener industrial future.
This pioneering research addresses dual challenges—greenhouse gas emissions and dwindling fossil fuel reserves—offering hope for mitigating climate change while advancing renewable energy technologies.
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