Weekly Technology Current Event

Topic: Some British scientists discovered a way to create gasoline from thin air and water.


Article: Title: British Scientists Create Gasoline From Thin Air (And Water)!


Article Source: www.dogonews.com


Summary: Engineers at U.K. based Air Fuel Synthesis (AFS) created a fuel made from just air and water. The team of scientist start by extracting carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and hydrogen from water. . Both of the gasses are then combined in a reactor.


Afterwards, with the help of a catalyst, the hydrocarbon mixture is converted into methanol, which is later transformed into usable fuel using a procedure known as the MOBIL methanol-to-gasoline reaction.


In the last three months the engineers have only created a total of 5 liters (1.32 gallons) of the synthetic gasoline. AFS is planning a commercial refinery that will be ready for larger scale fuel production by 2015. The gas made will not be sold to stations around the country, but instead reserved fir race cars and other vehicles that require special fuel.


Reaction: I think this invention is really cool. It could save a lot of money and time. The price for gas is slowly rising, but with this invention gas could become an easy resource to maintain and would be at a cheaper price.


This is truly an unbelievable invention. People can come up with so many different things now a days. This is a whole new era of creative thinking.


World Impact: This could impact the world greatly! There is an advantage of using up harmful carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.The synthetic fuel is also better for the environment because it uses the exact raw materials that are needed to make methanol and does not create harmful byproducts that result when fossil fuels are burnt.


The raw materials are also abundantly given. This could help make Earth a better planet. Using this method of creating gasoline, would help us preserve our natural resources.