The plasmatron probably wouldn't be able to power a fuel-cell vehicle by itself or eliminate the need for hydrogen-fueling stations but, say the engineers, it could be a bridge to hydrogen technology.

FORBES: Clearing the Air

Even some green groups opposed to all things fossil say they are willing to accept sequestration as a bridge to a renewables-based hydrogen future.

ECONOMIST: The environment

Natural gas is considered to be a bridge fuel between crude oil and the clean hydrogen-based energy sources of the future.

FORBES: Will ConocoPhillips Help China Tap Its Shale Gas Reserves?