It is often said, "You can't live only on air. " But now the Chinese scientists can tell you: Maybe you can.
Recently, some Chinese scientists have developed a new technique (技术). They turned CO2, one of the main greenhouse gases, into starch (淀粉).
Starch is the main part of flour (面粉), rice and com that we eat every day. Usually, it's created by plants with CO2, water and sunlight. According to the team's director Ma Yanhe, it takes the plants nearly 60 steps to produce starch. But now, the team, after six years of hard work, has found a simpler way to do this, with only 11 steps.
"Our study shows that creating something like starch is possible in a lab, and this technology may be helpful in many areas. " said Ma.
The scientists first turned CO2 and hydrogen (氢气) into methanol (甲醇). Then they pieced (分解) these methanol molecules (分子) into bigger and more complex (复杂的) molecules. Finally the starch was produced.
This method makes it possible to produce food in factories, replacing traditional farming. This will not only help make plenty of food, but also save water and land. It may also help recycle CO2 to deal with climate (气候) change, according to China Daily.
The study can be helpful in space, too. Astronauts may no longer need to worry about their food as they travel in space. They may simply turn the CO? they breathe out into the food they eat!
