Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 474,842 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,276 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 305,558 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,276 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 305,558 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,223 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Custom Masterclasses
Join the world's leading brands who leverage our custom programs to accelerate innovation.
FuturistU 5-Day Program
Become a Futurist with our immersive 5-Day program at Future Festival World Summit.
Online eLearning
Learn the fundamentals of futurism and trends with 100+ online courses about innovation.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
Learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Search our database of 474,842 cutting edge ideas.

Fuel That Grows on Trees

Myco Diesel Made of Fungus

— November 11, 2008 — Autos
We all know that money doesn’t grow on trees, but now it seems that diesel fuel just might! According to Guardian.co.uk, scientists have discovered a fungus in the Patagonian rain forest that “naturally produces a mixture of chemicals that is remarkably similar to diesel." These chemicals are reportedly “virtually identical” to fuel grade compounds currently found in fossil fuels.

Although other organisms, such as algae, are already known to have the capability to produce fuel-like chemicals, this fungus is the only one known to produce hydrocarbons of this nature.

"This is the only organism that has ever been shown to produce such an important combination of fuel substances," said Gary Strobel, a plant scientist from Montana State University who led the work. "We were totally surprised to learn that it was making a plethora of hydrocarbons."

Yes! A plethora, no less! In fact, the chemical mix is so similar to conventional fossil fuel that Mr. Strobel dubbed the mixture “Myco-diesel”.

If a process can be developed to grow the fungus and extract the “myco-diesel” on a commercial scale, this discovery could lead to another piece of the alternative fuel technology puzzle.
Trend Themes
1. Alternative Fuel Production - The discovery of a fungus that produces chemicals similar to diesel fuel opens up opportunities for alternative fuel production using natural organisms.
2. Sustainable Energy Solutions - The development of a process to grow and extract myco-diesel could contribute to the creation of sustainable energy solutions.
3. Biochemical Innovation - The fungus's ability to produce a wide range of hydrocarbons presents opportunities for innovation in biochemical production.
Industry Implications
1. Biofuel - The biofuel industry can explore the use of the fungus to produce diesel-like chemicals for fuel production.
2. Renewable Energy - The renewable energy industry can benefit from harnessing myco-diesel as a source of sustainable fuel.
3. Chemical Manufacturing - Chemical manufacturers can leverage the discovery to develop new processes for producing hydrocarbons and biofuels.
3.9
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness