Scientists Fast-Track Algae into Crude in Less Than An Hour

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Published on January 17, 2014 12:36:10 AM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzRb8IKp0NM

Duration: 7:25

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Crude oil is in short supply. But scientists have successfully converted algae into a biofuel in a way that's actually cheap enough to compete with traditional gasoline! The key isn't replicating crude oil, but speeding up the same process of heating and compressing organic material (algae) into the same crude substance. It's called hydrothermal liquefaction, and while the process isn't new- the results today are very promising.

Read more from Smithsonian: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/scientists-turn-algae-into-crude-oil-in-less-than-an-hour-180948282/