Fossil fuels are a limited resource, but that doesn't mean scientists aren't working on a workaround. They've found a way to make synthetic gas inexpensively, using carbon dioxide and carbon nanofibers.

Scientists have attempted this before but previous experiments involved using ionic liquid to trigger a reaction. They used silver, which was obviously too expensive.

Instead, researchers are replacing the silver with carbon nanofibers and pairing those with nitrogen to convert carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide. They replaced silver with carbon nanofibers and paired them with nitrogen to convert carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide. The scientists also discovered that this system works even better than with silver, "showing substantial synergistic effects."

Could this mean synthetic fuel might be an option in the future? Will it be expensive?

[Kansas State University Image Credit: stock.xchng]