Research project: Biojet Fuels for Green and Sustainable Aviation (open for PhD application)

The aviation industry is amongst the fastest growing transport sector and consumer of global energy. Annual growth rates of air traffic and fuel consumption are projected at 5% and 3% per year over the next decades, with the bulk of the growth in the ASEAN region. This leads to environmental concerns, as the growth will be accompanied by a 3% increase in CO2 emissions per year. Unlike land-based transport, electricity, hydrogen and biodiesel are not viable for aviation. Biojet fuel, as the alternative to fossil kerosene, is the only solution to reduce carbon emissions.  In this project, we will explore new sustainable methods to produce biojet fuel through reactor and catalyst designs. Additionally, 3D numerical simulation will be performed to understand the underlying phenomena. Techno-societal aspects in the form of the Energy-Water-Food (EWF) nexus and life-cycle assessment (LCA) will be investigated to ensure a holistic sustainable solution for green aviation.