I’m not a fan of ethanol, as many know, but this is a good example of the type of research we need done and which is being done as we explore genetic engineering and various applications for things such as alternative energy. This shows that improvements can be made. We’re learning more and getting better. The past few years has already seen tremendous improvements. Let’s keep it rolling.
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Oh, and for a quite similar project except for use in biowaste instead of ethanol, see here (around halfway in).
And for one of my favorite articles of late about a massive improvement in biofuels, see here, about algal fuels and baking soda.