The Navy does a lot of this. They funded a program to make biofuels from algae.
But don't forget that the stated purpose of funded research is often a lie[0] and this is not necessarily viable outside the lab.
[0] You get other benefits from the research including subsidizing your national industry, training your workforce, doing research you're interested in with a more politically palpable purpose.
But don't forget that the stated purpose of funded research is often a lie[0] and this is not necessarily viable outside the lab.
[0] You get other benefits from the research including subsidizing your national industry, training your workforce, doing research you're interested in with a more politically palpable purpose.