EFFECTIVE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT IN BIOFUEL PARAMOUNT FOR FUTURE OF AEROSPACE ECOSYSTEM
The Global Aerospace Summit will explore the vital role of academia, universities and R&D for sustainability of aerospace
Almasalla Arab Travel Portal News – Abu Dhab -The Global Aerospace Summit, in its second edition this year, will provide an opportunity for industry leaders to discuss the importance of research & development (R&D) in the aviation, aerospace, defense and space sectors.
The summit will attract Vice Presidents, Directors and Heads of sustainability, alternative fuels, renewable energy, research and development and innovation from various industries. They will discuss the challenges and opportunities along the path toward R&D and commercialization of alternative jet fuel.
Key themes such as the viability of biofuels, technical challenges of developing and commercializing biofuels for aviation, will be discussed during the summit. Short and long term challenges for airlines to adopting alternative fuels and the inherent risks in developing, selling and using these fuels will also be addressed.
“Though there has been strong progress in the field of alternative jet fuels, and particularly biofuels, further work is needed for biofuels to be fully integrated into the aviation fuel supply chain, “said Dr. Abdelqader Abusafieh, Head of Research and Development of Aerospace and Engineering Services at Mubadala. “There is a demand for biofuels from the sector, not just for environmental reasons, but also to increase long term fuel security.”
Dr. Abusafieh added: “Companies and universities need to work together within R&D, examine successes within fields like biofuels, and debate what the industry can do to further ensure that alternative fuel adoption becomes more common place.”
In the UAE, Etihad Airways, Takreer, Total and the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology have joined Boeing in its R&D efforts to develop a sustainable aviation biofuel supply chain. Etihad conducted a demonstration flight in a Boeing 777 using biofuel converted from plants by Total and refined into jet fuel by Takreer, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Oil.
Jeff Johnson, President of Boeing Middle East explained: “Through successful R&D, the UAE is now among a handful of countries that have produced and flown on their own aviation biofuel, which emits at least 50 percent less carbon dioxide than fossil fuel over its lifecycle. In addition, Masdar Institute, with support from Boeing and Etihad Airways, is conducting groundbreaking research into opportunities to use halophyte plants – which can be irrigated with saltwater and grown in the harsh desert – as a feedstock for biofuel.”
“We anticipate that the UAE will play a very important role in global biofuel efforts, with much more R&D investment required to ensure sustainability and profitability for the future aerospace eco-system,” added Mr. Johnson.
R&D within technology has also led to growing demand for lighter, stronger and more advanced materials and chemical advancements for aerospace applications.
“Academic capability takes both investment and time, and the growth of R&D rests upon a strong relationship between higher and vocational education institutes and the industry. In an era of austerity in public funding, the industry needs to discuss what it can do to protect academia and ensure its continued strengthening of the aerospace, aviation, space and defense industries,” commented Dr. Abusafieh.
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The Global Aerospace Summit will also focus on how advanced manufacturing and materials are transforming the aerospace industries. Specialized sessions at the summit will examine R&D within advanced manufacturing and its impact on development and supply chain. Panelists will consider the use of carbon fiber composites and developments in ferrous and non-ferrous metal, with the summit bringing together senior program and development representatives to predict the next materials of the future.
The Global Aerospace summit is an invitation-only strategic forum for senior international industry leaders in aviation, aerospace, defense and space. Hosted by Mubadala Development Company and organized by Streamline Marketing Group, the event will run from 7-8 April 2014 at the St. Regis Hotel, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. It will focus on the challenges of driving industrialization and growth across aviation, aerospace, defense and space.
