Europe’s first biorefinery uses algae to make jet biofuel
The global aviation industry is responsible for more than 2 percent of human-produced carbon dioxide emissions. To put a dent in that statistic, scientists have been actively searching for cost-effective and eco-friendly aviation fuels derived from natural resources. In recent years, microalgae Read More...
Automated aircraft towing tech aims to save fuel and cut emissions
Airlines consume billions of gallons of jet fuel every year to transport passengers around the world. About five percent of that fuel is used on the ground, as airliners have to run their jet engines to taxi along the runway, generating a lot of carbon emissions in the process. A novel in-ground Read More...
Food waste-based biofuel could help airlines reduce their carbon footprint
Overhauling current air transportation and transitioning to electric motors is essential for shifting the industry towards zero-carbon, but this process will take time and we need a solution now that will make a significant dent in growing greenhouse gas emissions. Biofuels could be one immediate Read More...
NASA is building quiet plane wings to reduce noise pollution at airports
When we think of aircraft noise pollution, the first thing that likely comes to mind is the roar and whine of jet engines that propel the large vehicle through the sky. However, an airplane’s fuselage and wings are also to blame. This is called aerodynamic noise and is the result of the airflow Read More...
Zero-carbon flying: Rolls-Royce tests 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuels
As the aviation industry seeks to transition towards a post-carbon future, airplane manufactures are working in high gear to find greener alternatives to dirty jet fuel. One of the latest feats in this endeavor comes from Rolls-Royce engineers, who have begun testing the viability of using 100 Read More...
Scientists engineer plane component that cuts NOx emissions by 95%
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are one of the biggest contributors to air pollution and have been associated with a variety of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Research shows that the aviation industry’s share of total NOx emissions contributes to an estimated 16,000 premature deaths every Read More...
New technique turns carbon dioxide into jet fuel
As the aviation industry seeks to shrink its environmental footprint, a new development from Oxford University may just help airline companies reach their carbon-reduction goals. The new technology involves an experimental process that can turn carbon dioxide into jet fuel. If successful, it could Read More...
Hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft successfully completes maiden flight
Over the last few years, hydrogen has been gaining serious traction for its potential to replace jet fuel and propel the aviation industry towards a zero-emissions future. More recently, aerospace giant Airbus announced its ZeroE initiative to manufacture hydrogen-powered commercial planes by 2035. Read More...
Norway to make all of its domestic flights electric by 2040
When it comes to the electric mobility revolution, Norway is certainly at its forefront. The country possesses the largest fleet of plug-in electric cars per capita in the world, with over 50 percent of Norway’s new car sales being electric. Now, the country plans to electrify its skies by making Read More...
Changing the altitude of some aircraft could reduce the climate impact of flying
Greener fuels, electric engines, and more efficient aircraft are all being touted as ways to reduce the environmental harm of flying, but a new study suggests one simple move could help existing flights drastically cut their impact. Getting planes to fly just a couple of thousand feet higher or Read More...