Current Context : Researchers at IIT Guwahati have developed a sustainable method to convert methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) into biofuels using microbial and biocatalytic processes.
Method:
- The process employs microbes and engineered enzymes to catalyze the conversion of methane and carbon dioxide into cleaner biofuels like ethanol and butanol
Environmental Impact:
- Reduces reliance on fossil fuels.
- Mitigates methane and CO₂ emissions, both significant contributors to global warming.
About Biofuels
Biofuels are renewable energy sources derived from biological materials like plants, algae, and organic waste.
Types:
- First-generation: Made from food crops (e.g., ethanol from sugarcane).
- Second-generation: Derived from non-food biomass like agricultural residues.
- Third-generation: Produced using algae.
- Advanced biofuels: Created using innovative technologies such as microbial processing.