Scientists making 'aviation fuel of the future' in Scotland

The aviation fuel of the future could be made in Scotland - with scientists working to create an environmentally-sustainable replacement. The fuel is made from waste wooden pellets which are heated, turned into a gas and mixed with other ingredients. A team from Heriot-Watt University is close to working with a major airline on piloting the biomass fuel. It comes as Scottish and UK ministers prepare to receive fresh advice on when to aim for net-zero carbon emissions. The Edinburgh-based university is one of three which are through to the finals of a British Airways competition to create a green fuel which can carry 300 passengers on a long-haul flight. Prof Mercedes Maroto-Valer, who is leading the project, said: "We are really addressing global challenges and finding solutions for decreasing carbon dioxide emissions. The aviation sector in particular is increasing its CO2 emissions and what we want is to help them to find the fuels of the future that will be sustainable. What we have demonstrated over the last three years is that our process is viable, that it actually works and produces aviation fuel lower in CO2 emissions than current fuels, and we're now ready to jump into the next stage."<br/>