The newest buzz on biofuels is from algae, yes, pond scum. Algae use photosynthesis to convert CO2 and sunlight into energy. It’s so efficient it can double its weight several times throughout the day. Algae can generate 15 times more oil per acre than other plants used for biofuels, such as corn or soy. It can grow in salt water, freshwater or even contaminated water, and even on land that is not suitable for food production. Algae has also been shown to grow at an even faster rate when it’s fed more of the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, or organic materials such as sewage. Harvesting algae would need only 1/7 of the area that corn requires and would not leech nutrients from pesticides and manure into the soil. The major downside to algae biofuels is that it is still a fairly new concept and to harvest it on a large scale would be costly. Scientists estimate that there is still a few more years of research to be done before algae biofuels can be harvested at a reasonable cost, but it will be well worth the wait. Companies worldwide still do not know the exact tailpipe emissions when algae fuel is used in a vehicle. Although further research and testing is required and has a long ways to go before our cars can chug some pond sludge down, using waste as energy seems easier to swallow than using perfectly good food as biofuel. Algae may be the next hip technology to replace hybrid technology.