NASA research aims to cut aviation fuel use by half

Washington: NASA has zeroed in on five green technology concepts that have the potential to transform the aviation industry in the next decade by reducing aircraft fuel use by half and emissions by 75 per cent.

The concepts were selected under NASA's Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program for a two-year study, the US space agency said in a statement on Saturday.

The five concepts are --alternative fuel cells; using 3-D printing to increase electric motor output; the use of lithium-air batteries for energy storage; new mechanisms for changing the shape of an aircraft wing in flight; and the use of a lightweight material called aerogel in the design and development of aircraft antenna.

These five concepts address NASA's green aviation initiatives to cut fuel use by half, lower harmful emissions by 75 percent, and significantly reduce aircraft noise.

"There definitely was an emphasis in our selections on bringing forward activities that addressed a NASA aeronautics goal to reduce the carbon footprint of aviation during the 21st century," said Program Manager Doug Rohn.

Though there can be no guarantee the studies will result in deployable technologies, given the novelty of the concepts, researchers are confident much critical data and information will be gleaned from the studies that will inform future green aviation concepts and research efforts.