Rowan University Researcher Awarded NSF Grant
The grant supports developing new methods to turn biomass into sustainable aviation fuel.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Chemistry
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The National Science Foundation awarded a $199,999 grant to Rowan University researcher Jun Hee Jang. This funding supports a project aimed at converting biomass into sustainable aviation fuel.
Why it matters
The research project seeks to reduce the aviation industry's reliance on petroleum-based fuels. This development could help expand the domestic production of sustainable alternatives.
The grant was provided through the Engineering Research Initiation program to study lignin as an aromatic alternative. The research team, consisting of one doctoral student and one postdoctoral researcher, utilizes a size-selective catalyst to isolate molecules.
The players
Jun Hee Jang
A researcher at Rowan University who received a grant to study sustainable aviation fuel production.
National Science Foundation
An independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering.
Rowan University
A public research university located in New Jersey that hosts the fuel research team.
The details
The research team at Rowan University uses a size-selective catalyst to separate smaller molecules from larger biomass components. These molecules are then converted into aromatic compounds to serve as sustainable fuel for aircraft.
Timeline
2050: Target year for increased use of sustainable aviation fuel.
The Big Picture
The study marks a shift in chemical engineering by utilizing lignin as a primary feedstock for high-performance aviation applications. This research bridges the gap between agricultural biomass processing and the requirements for high-energy density aromatic fuel compounds.
This research could eventually lead to more widely available and cost-effective sustainable aviation fuels for the commercial airline industry. Such advancements may contribute to lower carbon emissions and decreased fuel price volatility for travelers in the future.
The takeaway
Advancements in biomass conversion are critical to meeting national targets for sustainable aviation fuel by 2050. Researchers believe that utilizing lignin could provide a viable path toward scaling domestic fuel production.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in Chemistry.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Hydrocarbononline.
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