The crux of the climate problem is the reliance on fossil fuels. Whether deployed directly as fuel or used in the production of other chemicals, these fuels are the primary driver of planet-warming carbon emissions. In the United States, the transportation sector is responsible for the lion’s share of greenhouse gas emissions. A not-insignificant chunk of those transportation emissions come from the jet fuel needed to fly planes. While electric vehicles and other more sustainable transportation options can reduce transportation emissions on the ground, finding a greener alternative to jet fuel remains a tricky problem. 

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A research team led by Daniel Nocera, Patterson Rockwood Professor of Energy, is developing a biofuel alternative to fossil-based jet fuel. The hybrid inorganic-biological system only requires sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide from the air to produce hydrocarbons. This removes the need for fossil fuels and directly reduces the amount of planet-warming carbon in the atmosphere.

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With funding, the team will work to optimize the engineered bacteria strain and increase the output of the bioreactor system, with the end goal of large-scale and competitive jet fuel production.