Ralstonia

Ralstonia is a genus of proteobacteria, previously included in the genus Pseudomonas. It is named after the American bacteriologist E. Ralston.

Researchers at UCLA have genetically modified a variety of Ralstonia (Ralstonia eutropha H16) to produce isobutanol from CO₂ feedstock using electricity produced by a solar cell. The project, funded by the U.S. Dept. of Energy, is a potential high energy density Electrofuel that could use existing infrastructure to replace oil as a transportation fuel.