This revolutionary process called helioculture was pioneered by Joule Biotechnologies and generates hydrocarbon-based fuel by combining brackish water, nutrients, photosynthetic organisms, carbon dioxide and sunlight. Unlike oils made from algae, helioculture produces fuel directly — in the form of ethanol or hydrocarbons — that does not need to be refined. The method essentially utilizes the natural process of photosynthesis to produce a ready-to-use fuel.