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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 613 records · Page 34
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Biomass carbon removal can help sustainable aviation fuels achieve on-time arrival

Biofuels, including sustainable aviation and marine fuels, and biomass carbon removal and storage (BiCRS) are often viewed as potentially competing pathways for advancing climate and energy goals. Their comparative economic, environmental, and temporal advantages remain debated. Rather than identifying a “best-use” for biomass, we show that the relative economic advantages of BiCRS versus biofuels exist along a continuum shaped by energy- and decarbonization-focused market conditions. These pathways need not be adversarial: BiCRS can enable, rather than displace, future biofuel deployment. While the lignocellulosic biofuel sector continues to face barriers associated with underdeveloped supply chains and technologies that have not yet been commercialized at scale, emerging BiCRS approaches are comparatively feedstock-flexible, rapidly deployable, and responsive to carbon removal markets. Early BiCRS deployment can help establish reliable biomass supply chains, reducing investment risk for future lignocellulosic biorefineries. By easing initial supply chain constraints, BiCRS can serve as a practical stepping stone toward meeting both near-term carbon removal needs and long-term sustainable fuel objectives under uncertain future market and policy conditions.

bioenvironmental engineering↗
DOE OSTI2026

Co-Location of Cellulosic Bioethanol and Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) Production Facilities for Targeted Scale-Up of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Production

Achieving aerospace industry net-zero emissions by 2050 requires rapid scaling of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production. Leveraging existing infrastructure, proven technologies like Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ), and low carbon intensity (CI) feedstocks (e.g., switchgrass and miscanthus) can support this transition and help achieve near-term emissions reduction targets. This study evaluates the implications of lignocellulosic ethanol biorefinery siting and integration with petroleum refineries to produce SAF across 1000 sites randomly sampled from areas suitable for perennial grasses in the U.S. rainfed region. To better understand the logistics of material transport and handoffs, we integrated models of biomass harvest, transport, ethanol, and ATJ production in a stochastic framework based on Monte Carlo simulations to characterize SAF minimum selling price (MSP) and carbon intensity (CI), considering site-specific parameters (e.g., feedstock production, transportation, taxes, incentives). The results indicate trade-offs between MSP and CI across locations, with median MSP ranging from 7.9 to 12.8 USD·gal −1 and CI from −9.7 to 39.4 gCO 2 e·MJ −1 . Despite high estimated decarbonization costs (580 USD·tonCO 2 e −1 ), our results indicate that site-specific deployment of ATJ with low-CI feedstocks can improve sustainability outcomes. The framework provides a systematic approach to assess cost and sustainability trade-offs across locations, considering the end-to-end supply chain and supporting an informed investment in SAF production.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Capture, storage, and re-use of liquid hydrogen boil-off for aviation and aerospace applications

Despite major interest in the use of liquid hydrogen as a fuel for aviation and aerospace sectors, loss of hydrogen through boil-off continues to be a hurdle as it causes financial loss, indirect greenhouse gas emissions, and safety concerns. Herein, we perform techno-economic analysis, calibrated with experimental measurements, to assess the use of sorbents to capture and condition hydrogen boil-off events in the range of 1.5 to 70 tonnes per day at launch sites and airports. We evaluate the direct delivery of captured boil-off to combustion engines and fuel cells, comparing against boil-off re-liquification and compression. Results indicate probable cost-effectiveness at delivered liquid hydrogen prices above 0.9 U.S. dollar ($) per kg H2 at airports, and above 10 $ per kg H2 at launch sites where 10% or more of hydrogen is lost to boil-off.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2012

Absorption and scattering of laser radiation by the diffusion flame of aviation kerosene

The absorption coefficient of the radiation of a repetitively pulsed Nd : YAG laser with an average output power up to 6 W and of a cw ytterbium optical fibre laser with an output power up to 3 kW was measured in the diffusion flame of aviation kerosene burning on a free surface in the atmospheric air. The absorption coefficient as a function of flame length, radiation power, and radiation intensity, which was varied in the {approx}10{sup 3} - 5 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 4} W cm{sup -2} range, was obtained for two distances (1 and 2 cm) between the laser beam axis and the surface. The coefficient of radiation absorption by kerosene flame was compared with that in ethanol and kerosene - ethanol mixture flames. The radiation power scattered by a small segment of the kerosene flame irradiated by Nd : YAG laser radiation was measured as a function of longitudinal and azimuthal coordinates. An estimate was made of the total scattered radiation power.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2021

Toward net-zero sustainable aviation fuel with wet waste–derived volatile fatty acids

Significance To meet the growing demand for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), conversion pathways are needed that leverage wet waste carbon and meet jet fuel property specifications. Here, we demonstrate SAF production from food waste–derived volatile fatty acids (VFA) by targeting normal paraffins for a near-term path to market and branched isoparaffins to increase the renewable content long term. Combining these distinct paraffin structures was shown to synergistically improve VFA-SAF flash point and viscosity to increase the renewable blend limit to 70%. Life cycle analysis shows the dramatic impact on the carbon footprint if food waste is diverted from landfills to produce VFA-SAF, highlighting the potential to meet jet fuel safety, operability, and environmental goals.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Upgrading biocrude oil into sustainable aviation fuel using zeolite-supported iron-molybdenum carbide nanocatalysts

Food waste is an underdeveloped source for production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Now, there is no certified conversion process of food waste for SAF by American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). We report the use of zeolite-supported molybdenum carbide nanocatalysts in upgrading biocrudes, produced from food wastes through HTL, into SAF precursors. Our data show a complete removal of oxygen from the biocrude through hydrodeoxygenation and a higher heating value of 46.5 MJ/kg, which is comparable to that of Jet A (46.1 MJ/kg). The prescreening tests (tier alpha and beta) show the average carbon number of the distillation cut (150° to 230°C) of upgraded fuel is 10.6, close to the value of 11.4 for average conventional jet fuel, and the specifications of properties including surface tension, viscosity, heating value, flash point, and freezing point were found to meet the standards of SAF. The metal carbide nanocatalysts were reusable in upgrading tests, and the activity of deoxygenation was retained.

10 SYNTHETIC FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Aviation Security Screening Optimizer for Risk and ThroughputASSORT

The Aviation Security Screening Optimizer for Risk and Throughput (ASSORT) is designed to assess risk-based approaches for passenger screening and checkpoint operations. Additionally, ASSORT is exploring various traveler categories — general, trusted, and trusted-plus — along with different checkpoint screening Concept of Operations tailored to each traveler type

Brigantic, Robert [Pacific Northwest National Labo↗
DOE OSTI2024

Data for Spatially Varying Costs of GHG Abatement with Alternative Cellulosic Feedstocks for Sustainable Aviation Fuels

Cellulosic biomass-based sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) can be produced from various feedstocks. The breakeven price and carbon intensity of these feedstock-to-SAF pathways are likely to differ across feedstocks and across spatial locations due to differences in feedstock attributes, productivity, opportunity costs of land for feedstock production, soil carbon effects, and feedstock composition. We integrate feedstock to fuel supply chain economics and life-cycle carbon accounting using the same system boundary to quantify and compare the spatially varying greenhouse gas (GHG) intensities and costs of GHG abatement with SAFs derived from four feedstocks (switchgrass, miscanthus, energy sorghum, and corn stover) at 4 km resolution across the U.S. rainfed region. We show that the optimal feedstock for each location differs depending on whether the incentive is to lower breakeven price, carbon intensity, or cost of carbon abatement with biomass or to have high biomass production per unit land. The cost of abating GHG emissions with SAF ranges from $181 Mg−1 CO2e to more than $444 Mg−1 CO2e and is lowest with miscanthus in the Midwest, switchgrass in the south, and energy sorghum in a relatively small region in the Great Plains. While corn stover-based SAF has the lowest breakeven price per gallon, it has the highest cost of abatement due to its relatively high GHG intensity. Our findings imply that different types of policies, such as volumetric targets, tax credits, and low carbon fuel standards, will differ in the mix of feedstocks they incentivize and locations where they are produced in the U.S. rainfed region. Note: Column V in TableS7_DayCentSimulatedYield.csv should be labelled Corn Stover CoSo-NT-50% Max.

Geospatial↗
DOE OSTI2020

Evaluating Use of the NASA Nowcastof Atmospheric Ionizing Radiation for Aviation Safety (NAIRAS) System for Verifying/Validating AMS Cosmic Background Radiation Measurements, RSLA-006-20, Year 1

This presentation will be presented at FY 2020 SDRD Annual (Webex) Meeting scheduled for September 23–24, 2020. Evaluating Use of the NASA Nowcastof Atmospheric Ionizing Radiation for Aviation Safety (NAIRAS) System for Verifying/Validating AMS Cosmic Background Radiation Measurements, RSLA-006-20, Year 1

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2023

Workshop on Sustainable Aviation Fuel-Use Research Opportunities

On February 15-16, 2022, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Vehicle Technology Office (VTO) within Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) convened a workshop to assess the end-use research opportunities for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). This report summarizes the proceedings and findings of the workshop, which the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory hosted as a virtual event. During these two half-days, invited members of national laboratories, industry, government, and academia connected virtually to share perspectives on SAF research needs for improving end-use adoption.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Deploying Purpose-Grown Energy Crops for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (Workshop Summary Report)

From June 6–7, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) hosted the workshop “Deploying Purpose-Grown Energy Crops for Sustainable Aviation Fuel” in Kansas City, Missouri. The purpose of the workshop was to examine topics related to large-scale cultivation of purpose-grown energy crops—including algae—that can contribute feedstocks for the production of biofuels and bioproducts. This workshop was a means to gather a variety of stakeholders with the intent to identify elements for a potential future research strategy designed to overcome challenges and delve into the barriers related to the large-scale cultivation of purpose-grown crops. This document provides an overview and summary of the workshop’s presentations, breakout session discussions, and outcomes.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Decarbonization of Off-Road, Rail, Marine, and Aviation (DORMA) Program (2022 Annual Progress Report)

This document summarizes the progress of VTO's Decarbonization of Off-Road, Rail, Marine, and Aviation (DORMA) program during the fiscal year 2022. DORMA's R&D focus was on research, development, and demonstration of new propulsion and vehicle technologies that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in difficult-to-decarbonize transportation applications.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Decarbonization of Off-Road, Rail, Marine, and Aviation (DORMA) Program (2023 Annual Progress Report)

This document summarizes the progress of VTO's Decarbonization of Off-Road, Rail, Marine, and Aviation (DORMA) program during the fiscal year 2023. DORMA's R&D focus was on research, development, and demonstration of new propulsion and vehicle technologies that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in difficult-to-decarbonize transportation applications.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Updated Commercial Aviation Non-Airport Crash Density Values Using Data Obtained from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board for 2000 through 2019

This report documents the calculation of the commercial aviation (CA) non-airport crash density for Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) area associated with the Contiguous United States (CONUS) using the methodology outlined in the Department of Energy (DOE) Standard 3014-2006, Accident Analysis for Aircraft Crash Into Hazardous Facilities. For analytical purposes, the CA aircraft fleet is comprised of aircraft engaged in operations under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 121 (i.e., Air Carrier) and Part 135 (i.e., Air Taxi).

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Updated General Aviation Non-Airport Crash Density Values Using Data Obtained from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board for 2000 through 2019

This report documents the calculation of the General Aviation (GA) non-airport crash density for Department of Energy (DOE) sites and power generating facilities licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) using the methodology outlined in DOE-STD-3014-2006, Accident Analysis for Aircraft Crash Into Hazardous Facilities. The results of this report will be used by the American Nuclear Society (ANS) for the development of ANS standard 2.36, Accident Analysis for Aircraft Crash into Reactor and Nonreactor Nuclear Facilities.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Product Portfolios within a Distributed Logistical System for Aviation Components

A structural model of a distributed logistical system based on fuzzy sets is proposed. This model permits the optimal organization of product portfolios. The model assumes a central organization that produces and distributes parts in the aviation industry; and peripheral organizations within the network of the central organization.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2018

Gas-Turbines and the Competitiveness of Aviation Plants

The challenge for Russian gas-turbine manufacturers is to create an optimal product line—optimal in the sense that gas-turbine engines may be supplied not only to the aviation industry but to other prospective customers with limited finances. That approach will not only ensure the efficient use of available resources but also quickly bring up-to-date marine and stationary gas-turbine engines to the market. For gas-turbine manufacturers, expansion of the markets for their products will result in significant increase in competitiveness.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗