Page 64 - The Microworld Miracle

completed. 29 Nitrate is a form of nitrogen that plants can absorb.
This nitrate also reaches human beings and the animals that con-

sume plants for food. By these means, therefore, the needs of all liv-
ing things are met.
Creating artificial fertilizer containing nitrates gave rise to one
of the major branches of industry. Combustible hydrogen, used
during this dangerous and complex process, is heated at very high
pressure. Although chemical factories spend great
efforts on this costly and dangerous

work, bacteria perform the same
process at room temperature and
normal atmospheric pressure.
Some researchers now think that
they have unraveled part of the
secret behind bacteria's success.
Another group of scientists
have adopted bacteria as a
model in producing free hydro-

gen, a clean and cheap fuel.
Hydrogen-powered cars
According to an article in the 8
October 2001, edition of Nature maga-
zine, scientists believe they have imitated bacterial enzymes that
turn cheap acids into hydrogen. Unlike other fuels, hydrogen does
THE MICROWORLD MIRACLE his colleagues in a research team affiliated with Illinois University,
not harm the environment when burned. Thomas Rauchfuss, and

think they will be able to copy and use these secret formulae of bac-
30
teria.
These bacteria possess hydrogenases, enzymes able to produce
hydrogen from acids. Scientists are trying to produce systems that

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