Using a naturally-occurring iron-nickel alloy, some US researchers have developed a new method to produce methane. The scientists point out that if the process occurs within the Earth's crust, it would mean a source of methane other than the digestion or decomposting of dead organic matter. They say the process of methane formation is abiogenic, implying that it is not connected with biological processes. It has been developed by Berndt and Juske Horita of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and produces methane from biocarbonate ions and hydrogen at temperatures up to 400