Nobel laureate Steve Chu (
Speaking on bio-energy solutions to the energy crisis at a Taiwan's Year of Physics forum, Chu said that as petroleum reserves are "running out," some countries have turned to nuclear power to meet their growing energy demands, but nuclear waste poses a great challenge to scientists.
Other "alternative-energy" sources, like solar and wind power, may not be economically viable or efficient. Bio-energy seems a more reliable source to reduce fossil-fuel dependency, he said.
Biofuel made out of modified genes does not pollute the environment. Moreover, living organisms grow continuously and their output is recyclable, which is why many countries have been using corn, sugar cane and even weeds to produce energy, he said.
For example, Chu said, Brazil has been using sugar cane to produce ethanol to fuel automobiles and the US has been producing energy out of corn.
He then turned to a novel research project at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, which he has headed since August last year. The project looks into the possibility of producing energy out of the interaction between termites and certain parasites they carry in their bodies.
Termites create surplus energy that is used by the microbes to turn the insect's cellulose into energy, creating a symbiotic relationship.
This symbiosis inspired Chu to try creating a new generation of microbes which, after being genetically modified, would produce more ethanol or fuel than they need.
His idea is that microbes that can decompose large amounts of cellulose will survive while those that cannot will perish. Step by step, microbes will be created that can effectively produce hydrogen and alcohol.
Taipei has once again made it to the top 100 in Oxford Economics’ Global Cities Index 2025 report, moving up five places from last year to 60. The annual index, which was published last month, evaluated 1,000 of the most populated metropolises based on five indices — economics, human capital, quality of life, environment and governance. New York maintained its top spot this year, placing first in the economics index thanks to the strength of its vibrant financial industry and economic stability. Taipei ranked 263rd in economics, 44th in human capital, 15th in quality of life, 284th for environment and 75th in governance,
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