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Biofuels in the solid form has been in use ever since man discovered fire. Wood was the first form of biofuel that was used even by the ancient people for cooking and heating.

Biofuels were humanity’s first liquid fuels. They include vegetable oils, animal fats, ethanol from crops, and methanol and turpentine from wood.

Our atmosphere has too much carbon dioxide, and we need to find a way to get rid of some of it. That's a two-part challenge, because it means we must figure out how to not only pull carbon dioxide out of the air but also a way to store it afterward.

The article discusses plant-production capacities and resource limits associated with production and use of biofuels. It explains that creation of ethanol from plants is a conversion of solar energy absorbed by plants. It explains the chemistry of photosynthesis and the production of organic compounds. It also notes the natural resources required for plant growth including light, water, and nitrogen.

Microalgae have long been recognized as potentially good sources for biofuel production because of their relatively high oil content and rapid biomass production.