[colarris (OP)]

Is anyone working on the idea of producing a combustion type engine using biological processes? Could enzymes not be used to produce some kind of combustual gas??

[RD]

Sh1t power ? ...

One type of biogas is produced by anaerobic digestion or fermentation of biodegradable materials such as biomass, manure or sewage

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biogas

[JimBob]

and algal

[LeeE]

Is anyone working on the idea of producing a combustion type engine using biological processes? Could enzymes not be used to produce some kind of combustual gas??

Been done: DARPA are already testing bio-fueled recon robots/drones that can gather their own raw bio-mass (primarily vegetation, but I believe that small insects will contribute too) and then 'digest' it to produce energy.

This, being a two-stage process is still a bit inefficient though, as there will be losses between the two stages.  Eventually, we'll be able to vat-grow muscles that can be used in place of steam/internal combustion type pistons.

[colarris (OP)]

Thanks for the replies, interesting stuff