From H20 Cooler Genius:

Bacteria normally make energy-rich fatty acids (oil) for their own use. Specialized microbes called cyanobacteria use photosynthesis to convert sunlight into energy, just like plants. Researchers at The Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University (who said ASU was just a party school?) found a way to utilize this process as a source of renewable energy. How’d they do it? Genetic modifications permitting the bacteria to significantly increase their lipid (stored energy) production and secretion (so we can collect & use them) without dying in the process.

• Big-time pros:
• Oil produced and processed in 1 step.
• Only energy input required is sunlight.
• No need to use/maintain cropland (e.g. for plant-based sources)
• Questions I have:
• How much processing after collecting the bacterial oil would be needed in order to use it?
• What other resources are needed for the bacteria to survive & how much do they cost?
• Cost-effective for large-scale energy production?

(Microbes ooze oil for renewable energy from Biodesign Institute at ASU on Vimeo.)

Source: ASU’s solution for the world’s looming energy crisis – bacteria