Chinese researchers develop energy-dense aviation biofuel from cellulosic feedstock

In China, researchers at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics have developed an energy-dense drop-in aviation biofuel using cellulosic feedstocks that they say will allow planes to fly further than using conventional aviation fuel, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions during takeoff and landing. With 10% more energy density than conventional aviation fuel, the researchers used wheat straw as feedstock to produce the biofuel which also has a low freezing point thanks to a mixture of C12 and C18 polycycloalkanes.