Articles tagged with "sustainable-fuel"
New tech converts factory's carbon emissions into fuel for jets
Scientists at RMIT University in Australia have developed a novel technology that simplifies the conversion of industrial carbon emissions into chemical building blocks for sustainable jet fuel. Unlike traditional methods that separate carbon capture and conversion into multiple energy-intensive steps, the RMIT team combined these processes into a single step, reducing energy consumption and complexity. This approach allows the system to operate effectively without requiring highly purified carbon dioxide, making it suitable for deployment near large industrial emission sources. To demonstrate industrial applicability, the researchers built and tested a 3-kilowatt prototype under real-world conditions, with plans to scale up to 20 kW and eventually a 100 kW commercial-scale system within six years. The technology aims to create a circular fuel economy by using emissions to produce jet fuel precursors, addressing the challenge of decarbonizing aviation—a sector where battery-powered alternatives remain inefficient for long-distance flights. While not a complete solution to emissions, the innovation offers a practical tool to help industries reduce their carbon footprint during the transition to
energycarbon-capturesustainable-fueljet-fuelemissions-reductionindustrial-technologyrenewable-energyPhotos: Land Rover Defender preps for 3,106-mile Dakar Rally with giant 35-inch tires
Land Rover has unveiled the Defender Dakar D7X R, an extensively modified version of the Defender Octa, designed to compete in the 2026 Dakar Rally’s Stock class. The rally SUV features significant upgrades including giant 35-inch tires, wider tracks for stability, and a reinforced suspension with Bilstein dampers to handle harsh off-road conditions. Exterior modifications enhance performance with improved cooling through hood vents and dual snorkels, better approach and departure angles via redesigned bumpers, and weight reduction by removing the tailgate-mounted spare wheel carrier. The vehicle sports a distinctive Geopalette livery inspired by desert landscapes. Under the hood, the Defender Dakar D7X R retains the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, now tuned to run on sustainable fuel per championship regulations, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission featuring a lower final drive ratio for challenging terrain. Advanced electronics include a motorsport control unit with a Flight Mode to smooth torque delivery during jumps. The interior is stripped down
energyautomotive-technologysustainable-fuelvehicle-suspensionmotorsport-electronicsrally-racingdrivetrain-systemsEthanol plant CO2 waste could be turned into sustainable jet fuel
The article discusses new research indicating that carbon dioxide (CO₂) emitted from ethanol plants can be repurposed to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) that reduces aviation emissions by over 80% compared to traditional fossil fuels. Ethanol fermentation releases about 85% of its volume as highly pure CO₂, making it easier and less energy-intensive to capture than emissions from coal or cement plants. Since the corn used in ethanol production absorbs CO₂ from the atmosphere, recycling the fermentation CO₂ effectively reuses existing carbon rather than adding new emissions. This approach presents a promising opportunity to convert what is currently considered waste into a valuable low-carbon fuel resource. The study evaluated several pathways for producing jet fuel from ethanol and captured CO₂, including the conventional Alcohol-to-Jet process and two CO₂-based routes involving synthesis gas (syngas) conversion: gas fermentation followed by Alcohol-to-Jet, and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Life cycle assessments showed that Fischer-Tropsch could reduce carbon intensity
energysustainable-fuelcarbon-captureethanol-productionjet-fueldecarbonizationaviation-emissionsCO2 can be turned into liquid hydrocarbons to make fuel for planes
Scientists from the National University of Singapore have developed a novel method to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into valuable liquid hydrocarbons, which are key components of jet fuel. Using nickel-based catalysts doped with fluoride ions and employing pulsed potential electrolysis, the team achieved unprecedented control over the production of hydrocarbons, particularly in tuning the molecular structure to favor branched and longer-chain hydrocarbons up to six carbon atoms (C6). This advancement addresses limitations seen in copper-based catalysts and enhances the selectivity and efficiency of the electrochemical CO2 reduction (CO2R) process. The study highlights that fluoride doping stabilizes the nickel catalyst’s oxidation state under reducing conditions, promoting the formation of longer hydrocarbon chains. Pulsed potential electrolysis significantly increased the ratio of branched to linear hydrocarbons by over 400% compared to conventional methods, which is important for producing advanced sustainable aviation fuels. By combining catalyst synthesis, mechanistic studies, and computational modeling, the researchers uncovered new reaction pathways and
energysustainable-fuelcarbon-dioxide-reductionelectrocatalysisnickel-based-catalystliquid-hydrocarbonsaviation-fuelNew green hydrogen tech makes clean fuel directly from wastewater
Researchers from RMIT University, in collaboration with the University of Melbourne, Australian Synchrotron, and the University of New South Wales, have developed an innovative technology that produces green hydrogen fuel directly from wastewater without requiring purified water. This method leverages metals naturally present in wastewater—such as platinum, chromium, and nickel—as catalysts to enhance the electrochemical water-splitting process. Special electrodes made from carbon derived from agricultural waste absorb these metals, forming stable catalysts that accelerate hydrogen production while simultaneously generating oxygen. This oxygen can be reintegrated into wastewater treatment plants to improve their efficiency, thereby addressing both clean energy production and water pollution. In laboratory tests, the system operated continuously for 18 days with minimal performance decline, using partially treated wastewater representative of real-world conditions. The technology offers a sustainable and cost-effective solution by transforming wastewater, a global environmental pollutant, into a valuable resource for clean fuel generation. The research team emphasizes the dual benefits of reducing pollution and alleviating water scarcity, particularly
green-hydrogenclean-energywastewater-treatmentsustainable-fuelelectrochemical-catalysisrenewable-energycarbon-electrodesSwiss Startup Launches Solar Gasoline At Fossil Fuels
Swiss startup Synhelion has developed a novel "solar gasoline," a synthetic liquid fuel produced using solar energy in the form of heat. Unlike typical e-fuels that rely on green hydrogen from electrolysis powered by renewable electricity, Synhelion’s process uses concentrated solar heat to drive a thermochemical reaction that converts biogas and water into syngas (a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide). This syngas then serves as a precursor to various synthetic fuels, including gasoline, diesel, and kerosene jet fuel. The company highlights that its Sun-to-Liquid fuel cycle is carbon-neutral, releasing only the CO2 previously absorbed during production, making it a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Synhelion recently demonstrated the viability of its solar gasoline by powering a classic 1985 Audi Sport quattro without any engine modifications, showcasing the fuel as a direct drop-in replacement for conventional gasoline. This milestone, achieved at their industrial-scale DAWN plant in Germany, underscores the readiness of their technology for real
energyrenewable-energysolar-gasolinesynthetic-fuelse-fuelssustainable-fuelSynhelionUS: World’s most advanced rocket engine tested for hypersonic drones
The US startup New Frontier Aerospace (NFA) has successfully completed critical fire tests of its Mjölnir rocket engine, a cutting-edge propulsion system designed for next-generation hypersonic drones and space vehicles. Unlike most aerospace engines that use RP-1 or liquid hydrogen, Mjölnir runs on liquid natural gas (LNG), which is a cleaner-burning fuel and can become net carbon-negative when sourced from bio-waste. The engine features a full-flow staged combustion cycle—an advanced architecture that improves efficiency, thrust-to-weight ratio, and engine longevity—and is 3D-printed to reduce manufacturing costs and enable rapid development. Supported by NASA and the Defense Innovation Unit, Mjölnir demonstrated stable ignition, precise throttle control, and consistent thermal performance, confirming its reliability as a main propulsion system. Mjölnir is set to power two key NFA platforms: Pathfinder, a hypersonic vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial system aimed at rapid military
energyrocket-enginehypersonic-dronesliquid-natural-gasaerospace-propulsion3D-printingsustainable-fuelNew device splits water for green hydrogen fuel using only solar energy
Scientists at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS) in Bengaluru, India, have developed a scalable, next-generation device that produces green hydrogen by splitting water molecules using only solar energy. This innovative system relies solely on earth-abundant materials and solar power, eliminating the need for fossil fuels or expensive resources. The device features a silicon-based photoanode with an n-i-p heterojunction architecture composed of stacked n-type TiO2, intrinsic silicon, and p-type NiO semiconductor layers. These layers enhance charge separation and transport, improving light absorption and reducing recombination losses, which are critical for efficient solar-to-hydrogen conversion. The device demonstrated a surface photovoltage of 600 mV, a low onset potential of about 0.11 VRHE, and maintained long-term stability over 10 hours with minimal performance degradation. This advancement promises high efficiency, durability, and cost-effectiveness, with potential for large-scale production using industry-ready magnetron sputtering techniques.
green-hydrogensolar-energywater-splittingphotoelectrochemical-systemsilicon-based-photoanoderenewable-energysustainable-fuel