r/science • u/Wagamaga • Aug 06 '20

Chemistry Turning carbon dioxide into liquid fuel. Scientists have discovered a new electrocatalyst that converts carbon dioxide (CO2) and water into ethanol with very high energy efficiency, high selectivity for the desired final product and low cost.

https://www.anl.gov/article/turning-carbon-dioxide-into-liquid-fuel
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u/Knight_of_autumn Aug 06 '20

At the end of the day market forces, not innovative ideas drive technology.

I remember an article making the rounds a little over a decade ago about some company modifying algae that could convert garbage into a crude oil analogue. That was the first and last time I've heard of that technology. Most likely because it's just so much cheaper to pump oil from the ground. We learned this year that the oil is practically free, so we have to raise its price artificially.

It's cool that we have a way to turn water and CO2 into fuel, but it's much cheaper making it from corn. In the US, we subsidise the industry for that reason.

One place this COULD be applicable is on Mars, where CO2 is plentiful, and water can be extracted from the soil. Otherwise, I would not expect to ever see this process be used at any larger scale than a lab.

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u/USPO-222 Aug 06 '20

Wouldn’t be much use on Mars as fuel since there’s not enough free oxygen in the atmosphere. You’d have to carry your own oxygen and at that point you’re better off with batteries.

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u/Knight_of_autumn Aug 06 '20

I meant for propulsion, not combustion engines. There must be enough oxygen that can be chemically freed from the soil as the current plan for a Mars trip is for the crew to make their own fuel upon landing. And for that they will be using Methane+Oxygen.

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u/USPO-222 Aug 06 '20

Got it. Thought you meant for manned rovers... or wicked fast dune buggies!!