As steam is one of the world's most used industrial fluids, used to
generate up to 90 % of electricity, as well as for water purification and food preparation, this
breakthrough could make a
big difference in many areas of society:
Gates hammered on points reported here for many years: that without a
big, and sustained, boost in spending on basic research and development on energy frontiers, the chances of triggering an energy revolution are nil; that while the private sector and venture capital investors are vital for transforming
breakthroughs into marketable products or services, they will not invest in the long - haul inquiry that's required to
generate game - changing
breakthroughs; that a 1 or 2 percent tax on carbon - emitting fuels could
generate a large, steady stream of money for invigorating the innovation pipeline; that a declining emissions cap and credit trading system --- if it could survive America's polarized politics --- would have to raise energy costs far beyond what would be politically tenable to
generate a similar scale of transformational activity.