Green Options

Could the next war be powered by potatoes?  The U.S. military is exploring bio-batteries and fuel cells as part of its overall commitment to transformational energy, particularly portable power.  To help kick-start the effort, the Department of Defense is soliciting bids for cutting edge bio-battery and fuel cell development through its Small Business Innovation Research grant program.  That could mean just about anything for a fuel source, from sugar to potatoes, vodka or beer.  Stay tuned for more: the deadline for submitting SBIR proposals is June 17.

President Obama announced new federal funding goals for science, particularly the transformational energy research program ARPA-E, just as a a global swine flu pandemic was getting underway, so it’s little wonder that the news sank with barely a ripple.  Among those who did take notice, the Sierra Club stated that “we have finally closed the books on the Bush era of climate denial.”  But a closer look at ARPA-E suggests that it’s way too soon to pop the corks.