Joule Biotechnologies, a startup in—you guessed it—Cambridge, Massachusetts, unveiled the details of its recently-discovered biofuel manufacturing process yesterday. The group claims that it is possible to engineer microorganisms in a photobioreactor that can convert water and carbon dioxide into usable fuel by harnessing the sun’s energy. What sets this plan apart from other fuel alternatives, such as ethanol, is the relatively small space, energy input, and time it requires. In order for this new technology to succeed oil as a primary source of fuel, 6.7 million acres of farming space would need to be devoted to its production and generation. Given that the total acreage in the United States is nearly 922 million, this plan could be entirely feasible, were it to gain enough federal monetary support. This may just be one biofuel to watch.

Read the full story on Technology Review here.