A new biofuel production process using microbes to manufacture biofuel and hydrogen, all while consuming agricultural wastes, produces 20 times more energy than existing methods.

Bioelectrochemical systems known as microbial electrolysis cells, or MECs, use bacteria to break down and ferment agricultural waste into ethanol.

The process employs a second bacterium which, when added to the mix, removes all the waste fermentation byproducts or non-ethanol materials while generating electricity.