ST. PAUL (WCCO) ― It's revolutionary technology and one step closer to energy independence. It's a new way to make biodiesel fuel that was invented right here in Minnesota. But now that technology has "gone up a notch" through the work of college students.

They have created the most portable biodiesel system in the world. What now fits in the back of a pick up truck, used to be as big as four trailers.

Project Energy first told you about it about a year ago. Taking an idea from Brian Krohn -- Clayton McNeff, Augsburg Professor Arlin Gyberg and Ben Yan developed this process using zirconia.

Known as the Mcgyan process, it can change anything with oil -- pine trees, soybeans, used cooking oil, even algae -- into biodiesel. There's no water and no waste. And it's cheap.

"Biofuels fit very well with the state of Minnesota and our natural resources which we've been blessed with," said St. Thomas University Professor Greg Mowry.

When he heard about the process, he couldn't wait to get his engineering students working on a way to make the process even more portable. And with donations from local companies, and grant money from the Department of Energy through New Mexico Technical College, the students have done it.

"This is merely a prototype," said St. Thomas University Mechanical Engineer student John Gorman. "So it's a first stage of many to get it to the end user."

"It's a proof of concept to see whether it could be done in general," said St. Thomas University Electrical Engineer student Jake Myers.

"Bottom line is they've taken concept of nothing and have a working prototype system that will serve as that first critical step for us in attempt to get to a final single-user version," said Mowry.

The system is designed to be shipped in three parts, but comes together in the back of a truck. That will make it portable enough to allow one person to make fuel on their own.

Mowry is hoping to take one to a sustainable hospital in Tanzania. It could also be used on American farms -- getting away from using food for fuel at the same time as creating true energy independence from foreign oil.

"Anyone who can take the process in the back of a pickup truck and bring it over to their farm and put the feedstocks in and get biodiesel out," said St. Thomas University Mechanical Engineer student Phil Buchner.

The students know they can make the processor even smaller and easier to use, but they're going to need more funding. The state of Minnesota might have the money, but the school must find $30,000 in matching money first.

"Would this be a good investment for the public to maybe put some tax dollars behind in the future of biodiesel and clean technology?" asked WCCO's Don Shelby.

"Absolutely," said the students.

"This system, unlike other systems, is really clean," said Gorman. "It doesn't use the harsh chemicals, no water's involved. This system really is revolutionary."

"It has the potential to really change the energy economy of the United States," said Myers.

The students showed this portable biofuel system as part of their senior project earlier this month. Needless to say, they'll all pass with flying colors.