A new type of fossil fuel?

Energy production has had a potential massive boost with the discovery of a new liquid fuel.

Chemists and scientists from the Brigham Young University and the Scripps Research Institute claim the new liquid alcohol fuel is an upgrade on natural gas.

It is hoped that it will reduce dependance on oil and is created at temperatures of 180 degrees Celsius (356 degrees Fahrenheit) rather than the 1500 degrees Celsius (2732 degrees Fahrenheit) needed for traditional conversion methods. This reduced temperature will also make it easier and less energy consuming to create.

Using more common metals such as thallium as a catalyst, the gas is converted from its raw state into liquid alcohol.

Research is in its early stages but experts are hopeful it could be a major new breakthrough.