Solein

Solein is food made from air and energy. Yes, this actually exists.

Viability

Solein is not scaleable:

• the machinery requires too many rare minerals, especially platinum. Read more
• the energy requirements are too high for what can be produced without fossil fuels. Read more

Nutrition

Solein is a complete protein.

Yields

If the energy comes from solar panels, the protein per acre would be compareable to algae production. Both are higher than conventional agriculture. Read more

Chemistry

Special bacteria are given a mix of nitrogen gas (from air), oxygen gas (from air), CO2 (from air and/or other sources), hydrogen gas (produced via electricity), water and minerals. These provide the building blocks for the bacteria to produce proteins and carbohydrates.