A University of Arkansas graduate student successfully turned chicken fat into a biodiesel [1], adding poultry to the growing list of food products that can power your car in place of petroleum. Vegetable and soybean oil are already converted into biodiesel [1], which you can use to fill the gas tank of your diesel vehicle and is available at some gas stations [2] around the country (as well as through distributors [3]).

Biodiesel is made from renewable resources, unlike gasoline, and has far lower emissions.

The student, Brian Mattingly, said that chicken fat must be properly refined in order to limit the amount of soap formed as a byproduct. But chicken fat could produce a cheaper alternative to biodiesels made from soybeans, which cost more to buy and convert, according to an Associated Press story [4].

Image credit: USDA.gov