Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

An emerging research direction in Professor Avi Domb’s group focuses on the development of sustainable chemical approaches for the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The research addresses the growing need for alternative aviation fuels that can be produced from renewable and non-fossil carbon sources while reducing dependence on conventional petroleum-derived feedstocks. A central focus is the development of efficient and economically viable catalytic processes for converting renewable and alternative feedstocks into hydrocarbons suitable for aviation fuel applications. Particular attention is given to hydrogenation and related catalytic transformations that enable the conversion of oxygenated or unsaturated intermediates into more stable hydrocarbon products with properties relevant to aviation fuels. An important component of this research is the development of low-cost, efficient catalysts based on readily available materials, with the aim of reducing reliance on expensive noble-metal catalysts. The design of such catalytic systems considers not only catalytic activity, but also selectivity, stability, scalability, and the overall economic and environmental sustainability of the process. The research is guided by principles of green chemistry and sustainable synthesis, with an emphasis on reducing waste, minimizing hazardous reagents and energy consumption, and developing efficient chemical routes that can potentially be translated into scalable fuel-production processes. By combining organic synthesis, catalysis, materials chemistry, and process-oriented approaches, this research aims to contribute to the development of practical and sustainable technologies for next-generation aviation fuels. The ultimate goal is to establish efficient chemical platforms that can transform renewable or alternative carbon resources into high-value fuel molecules suitable for future aviation applications.