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"When I saw this I thought it was really a terrific contribution that could be very important," says Richard Schrock, professor of chemistry at MIT, who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2005, with two other scientists, for discovering the type of catalyst used in the second step. Combining two catalysts this way "is pretty rare," he says. "You can't just throw any two things together and expect to get the results you anticipated."
According to Robert Grubbs, professor of chemistry at Caltech, who shared the Nobel prize with Schrock, "The key is finding catalyst systems that are compatible, and will operate at the temperatures where you can do both processes together."
At this time, the new catalytic method is still a proof-of-concept, and not ready for commercial use. For example, the second catalyst tends to break down. But Schrock says this problem should be solvable: "It's theoretically possible that this could become practical. I e-mailed Alan Goldman and said, 'Look, we've got a lot of catalysts, and I can think of some things that might be thermally more stable.' So I'm going to send him some catalysts, and he's going to try them out."
It also might be possible to make catalysts that use products from the first reaction to regenerate themselves. "Then the catalyst wouldn't die, and you could in fact keep the reaction going," says Schrock.
Hope page image courtesy of Joseph Blumberg. Caption: Postdoctoral associate Ritu Ahuja demonstrates the catalyst material to graduate student Elizabeth Pelczar and professor Alan Goldman.
High fuel prices make the cars cost-effective in Europe.
Guest (S Fred Singer)
A historical note: I recall reading somewhere that the ORIGINAL engine developed by Mr Diesel in Germany ran on powdered coal -- before we had liquid fuels.
What happened?
Guest (kitk)
Professor Diesel experimented with many fuels--as did all other internal combustion pioneers--before settling on liquid fuel. The liquid could be stored and pumped safely, whereas coal dust clogged valves and often ignited. Diesel actually used a bio-fuel, intending his engine to be used on German farms and using locally derived fuel. But, petro-fuels are so much more readily available in bulk, that they took over the market. Until a bio-fuel is available in bulk, petroleum is king.
Guest (roy)
come on kids, if you are going to report new fuels cant you make *some* effort to estimate price/gallon. i dont want to waste my time reading cozy new deals how we are saved from oil crunch and then learn cost of just the energy it takes to manufacture it is 1000$/gallon , if oyu cant work it out just say why not and someone will help you.
Guest (Bob Hargraves)
Please do read Nobel prizewinner George Olah's new book, Beyond Oil and Gas: The Methanol Economy, for ways to make methanol fuel, from coal, from methane, or from recycled CO2 and H20, with energy possibly provided by nuclear power. Check out pebble bed reactors, too.
Guest (Bill)
The future, at least for power plant electrical generation will be nuclear, wind, biomass, geothermal, hydro, as well as the current use of coal and natural gas.
As far as ground transportation goes, the best bet is for flex-fuel plug-in hybrids. This will be the next big thing, since fuel cell technology is way too expensive and years away.
Guest (ed)
Unfortunately there is not a silver bullet against the oil addiction. But considering the oil is consumed vast majority by transportation, the bio-diesel (especially by recycled cooking oils and animal fats), coal
derived diesel and even power plant smoke stack diesel should be the ways to go. Indeed celluso based ethanol can be bronze bullet
Hopefully in 20 years, USA will buy back the Treasury-bonds exported to 'peace-loving' Sheiks
Guest (Eric)
There's plenty of oil in the US
we can create high paying jobs,lower the price of gas and keep more money in the US and be less dependent on foreign oil if the dems will stop blocking oil production and refineries in the US.President Bush has been trying to drill for oil in alaska since he's been in office and if he would have gotten his way we wouldn't be in this mess.
Guest (Tom)
Dept. of Energy's own estimates say Anwar would produce 3% maximum of our daily requirements, and that would be 15 years down the road.
http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/aeo/pdf/trend_4.pdf
Guest (Brian)
Yes, ANWAR may only provide 3%, but it doesn't take much to turn the global shortage into a surplus. 500,000 barrels a day is a huge factor in the world price of crude if it is a surplus. Also, increased domestic production coupled with alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, ethanol and a healthy dose of conservation would easily remove us from being at the mercy of OPEC and the big oil companies.
Guest (Mason)
Actually, Anwar could provide up to 1,000,000 barrels a day which is far greater than your 3% projections. We should have started years ago in Anwar and more offshore continental shelf exploration.
Guest (Phil)
Maybe the WMD's are in Anwar too. My problem is that even if people really know they would still lie about it. When parties run for election by distorting their opponents positions - well who should be surprised that they will lie most anytime.
Guest (David W.)
I'm in the market for a small SUV and I've been toying with the idea if buying the Jeep Liberty with the diesel engine. It's supposed to get 30 MPG. If the price of diesel remains stable or comes down compared to gas, it may be an attractive option. Any thoughts?
Guest (Fil)
Why not buy a wagon? Volkswagen Passat and Jetta are available w/ terrific TDI diesel engines -- 40-45mpg. For Escape hybrid allegedly gets 36mpg, but longer distances (highway driving) w. hybrids can be an issue. Why not get a smaller car with better mpg and skip the diesel altogether? There was a slightly interesting op-ed on this in the NY Times last week; also see http://lime.com/post/article/2000/11/30/The-Greenest-Cleanest-Car-Better-Mileage-or-Different-Fuel-
Guest (POGO)
The dems are comsumers, The repubs are Producers
Guest (Karl)
Yea, POGO, a unwarranted war in Iraq, a huge deficit, Abu Grev (sp), Lies, law breakers, etc. The most corrupt administration in out lifetime.
Guest (prem shankar)
what are the two catalysts used in formation of clean diesel from coal
ft liquids from coal---expensive to set up------cellulose expensive to operate,bse -laden animal fat kills 2 birds with one stone--------but for the money alberta tarsands beats even new oil---and there is enough that we wouldnt have to be held hostage by bigoil--shieks,or texas republicans
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Guest (Joy H.)
Clean Diesel from Coal
...because swapping one non-renewable resource for another is a good idea? There are other ways to produce fuel, although they probably can't keep up with our consumption levels. Besides, transport fuel should be the least of our worries. Petroleum is the staple of most man-produced goods. It's in your plastic water bottle, your clothes, your dashboard, your iPod, medicines, foods, solar panels, carpet, rubber, pesticides, asphalt, glues, waxes, inks and dyes, cosmetics, etc. Even if we cut back on transport of products, the act of manufacturing them is at stake. As far as dependancy on foreign oil goes, there's oil in other places besides the middle east, like Canada. Oh, wait - our penchant for cheap (petroleum-based) goods ala dollar stores and Walmart has fueled the growth of a middle class in China, so we're competing against them for that Canadian oil. Oops again.
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Guest (dave)
Your going to die Joy!
Joy, the're coming for you...the mindless hordes of unemployed....they're coming for you! James Kunstler is leading them......you're going to die because we're all out of oil...its the end.....you're going to die.......HA HA HA HA HA HA HA ! Remember Soylent Green is people! Eric Pianka is going to get you! You won't be one of the 10% allowed to survive.......HA HA HA!
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Guest (ronda allen)
fuel prices
I do not think truck drivers should
pay over $2.00/gal. for fuel. If
our cost gets worse,how can we get
products to customers and buyers?
I would like to help solve this
problem.
Reply
Guest (Landon)
Fuel Prices
If the free market does not set the price of diesel for truckers then the Government must artificially freeze diesel prices, which means either (1) the companies producing the diesel will quit making it when they are losing money by selling their product at a price below their cost to produce it or (2) the Government must subsidize the producers to keep them producing. Now would you rather have the free market determine the price of any products you purchase or have the government, with its built in inefficiencies, setting prices? For me it is a no brainer. The free market reacts to supply/demand imbalances with infinitely greater efficiency than Government ever can.
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Guest (Mike H)
fuel prices
We Truck drivers thank you for your concern,my top was 3.32 in Corning Ca. for 185 gallons of diesel
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