While scientists across the world are up with their gloves to make motor fuel from waste, Richard Gross on the other hand, has taken an unusual approach. He has designed a ‘fuel-latent plastic,’ to be used for conversion. It is a bioplastic, made from vegetable oils.
The new material can be used like ordinary plastic, for packaging or other purposes. But, once it goes to the landfill as a waste, it can easily be turned into a substitute diesel fuel!
Though it is not in the stage of working well enough commercially, the Pentagon impressed by the environment-friendly innovation has given $2.34 million for more research on the material.
The new technique could reduce the amount of material, the military has to ship to soldiers at remote bases. It is because the plastic would be of double use — first as packaging and then as fuel.
At the same time, the material is also environment-friendly as would also reduce trash disposal problems, the Defense Advanced Projects Research Agency – Darpa – said.
