WSU researchers look ways to boost sustainable aviation
In Washington, Washington State University (WSU) said that researchers in eight programs among three colleges on two campuses are exploring energy sources, testing, supply-chain logistics and policy in the quest for sustainable air transportation.
The university noted that it is a co‑leader with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology of ASCENT, a consortium of research universities, government agencies, national laboratories, and private entities convened by the Federal Aviation Administration nearly a decade ago.
The university also highlighted that WSU Regents Professor and Associate Vice President of Research Michael Wolcott helped author the nation’s roadmap for sustainable aviation fuel.
Researchers, including those at WSU, are looking at how electricity and liquid hydrogen might be employed to reduce the carbon footprint of air travel.
WSU researchers are working to identity supply-chain and infrastructure costs and logistics, and testing potential fuels to ensure they meet the extraordinarily tight characteristics for aviation.
“This full vertical integration of capabilities at WSU is unique,” said Joshua Heyne, associate professor and director of the Bioproducts Science and Engineering Laboratory at WSU Tri‑Cities. “We have people who are leading in every one of these bottlenecks for SAF.”
Category: Research
