(UW Photo Service)

Primary Research Objective

The Center for Biogenic Natural Gas Research is developing technology that will transform coal - a complex polymeric solid - into soluble constituents that can be used as a food source by the methane-producing microorganisms.

Commercial-scale implementation will take advantage of the same benefits that natural gas offers over other fossil fuels - it is clean burning, requires minimal surface disruption, and energy can be derived from unmineable resources.

At present, there are no other known centers working to address these specific questions, and University of Wyoming inventors are some of the earliest patent-holders for relevant technologies.