This week, President Bush called for greater reliance on ethanol as a fuel source, along with increased use of alternative fuels such as biodiesel and hydrogen. Nobel Laureate George Olah says that the answer isn't ethanol or hydrogen--it's methanol. In this hour, we'll talk about the idea of a methanol economy and how it might wean us off oil.

More energy coverage

We'll also take a look at what's known about the potential environmental and health risks of nanotechnology. What can be done to make sure that small tech doesn't lead to big problems? Call in with your questions and comments at 1-800-989-8255 (2-3 Eastern). Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.

Guests:
George Olah
Nobel Laureate in Chemistry,1994
Co-author, "Beyond Oil and Gas: The Methanol Economy" (Wiley VCH, 2006)
Donald P. and Katherine B. Loker Distinguished Professor of Organic Chemistry
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

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Kristen Kulinowski
Department of Chemistry
Executive Director for Education and Public Policy, Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology
Director, International Council on Nanotechnology
Rice University
Houston, Texas

Books/Articles Discussed:

"Beyond Oil and Gas: The Methanol Economy" by George A. Olah, Alain Goeppert, G. K. Surya Prakash. Wiley VCH, 2006.

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This segment produced by Charles Bergquist