SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
This biotech startup uses methane-eating bacteria to create fully biodegradable polymers.
Mango Materials is a biotech startup from San Francisco that has come up with an ingenious method for transforming methane, a potent greenhouse gas, into plastic. The process involves feeding methane to bacteria, which then produce a biodegradable polymer (polyhydroxyalkanoate, or PHA). This polymer can be spun into polyester fabric and used for clothing, carpets, and possibly packaging, although the company is most focused on the garment industry right now.
The methane used by Mango Materials comes from a waste treatment plant in the Bay Area, but the company is looking at partnering with other sources of methane, such as dairy farms, in order to get more. The technology creates value for methane, which is a novel idea.
How long would it take to fart a sweater — are we talking one burrito, or two?
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday October 07 2017, @12:00PM (3 children)
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Saturday October 07 2017, @03:32PM (2 children)
Little known fact, in America, at least. Sheep droppings don't stink. There's no sulfur in the droppings, so they don't stink. If you'd like a pet, but worry about the odors, get a sheep. A ram might knock intruders off their feet, but they can't object to smelly droppings!!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday October 07 2017, @09:14PM (1 child)
That's not my experience.
I provided instrumentation support for an medical research lab that used sheep and the place definitely had an unpleasant oder.
-- OriginalOwner_ [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Saturday October 07 2017, @09:19PM
Sheep have a smell, from the lanolin in their wool. Some people find that odor to be unpleasant, some don't. I bet you didn't smell the stench associated with pig manure, or cow manure, or even horse manure. You certainly didn't smell the stench of predatory animals like cats or dogs.