Primary school students, Ulster University collaborate on sunflower biodiesel research

In Northern Ireland, scientists from the Biomolecular Diagnostics and Engineering Group at the University of Ulster and children from St John the Baptist Primary School are involved in a novel research project to investigate the potential of sunflowers as a fuel source.

Children at the school planted sunflower seeds in small pots in their classrooms and then took the plants home to watch them grow in their own gardens. Seeds from the giant sunflowers have now been collected and are being used by the researchers to assess the effectiveness of new processes for transforming sunflower oil into biofuel.

Professor Davis from the University of Ulster adds that the success of the pilot project in St John the Baptist Primary School means that other schools will now be invited to get involved.