The Air Force Research Laboratory and the Department of Energy will soon be working together on fuel research to reduce pollutants in the air. AFRL's Propulsion Directorate's Fuels Branch will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with DOE's National Energy and Technology Laboratory (NETL) to research, develop and demonstrate clean aviation fuels to reduce pollutant emissions. Research will be conducted on the effects of sulfur on particulate (smoke and soot) formation; strategies such as additives and new fuel blends to reduce these particulates; and the impact of these strategies on the cost of making cleaner jet fuels.

The research will be done as part of the DOE's Ultra Clean Transportation Fuels initiative. The Ultra Clean Transportation Fuels initiative is a $100 million national effort develop fuel technologies that will enable ground vehicles, marine vessels and aircraft to significantly reduce their pollutant emissions. The collaboration between AFRL and DOE includes aviation turbine fuels.

Contact: Anne Gunter (937) 656-9876