Electromethanogenesis: The Direct Bioconversion of Current to Methane - Article Example

Recently, according to a number of specialists, methane could be the answer to the problem, or perhaps the problem itself. Specialists have been examining the development of methane in microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) in an attempt to prevent it. Surprisingly, they discovered that a microbe, which they assumed to be a Methanobacterium palustre, can produce methane-utilizing electrons from current plus utilizing hydrogen gas. These very important findings could result in an efficient means to produce methane, the primary element of natural gas, then transform it into electricity and might have other important environmental use.

The transmission of electrical current, or specifically, electrons, into methanogens indicates that it could be probable to produce methane from natural power sources such as wind and solar power; then, the methane could be amassed and stored as fuel for future use. At present, biofuels can be produced from anything that is recyclable and environmental, yet it is a complicated process. What the specialists suggest is that if there is a source of current, then there is a source of electrons and methane can be produced electrochemically.