UC Irvine Earth system scientists plot pathways for climate-conscious air travel

With its high-carbon footprint, air travel challenges the goal set by many countries of stabilizing global mean temperature by the middle of the 21st century. The aviation sector could achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 through a combination of technology and a change in habits, but it’s not going to be easy, according to Earth system scientists at the University of California, Irvine.

GW Expert Available: Southwest Airlines offers 25K bonus points to travelers stranded by holiday meltdown

Southwest Airlines cancelled more than 15,000 flights over the holidays after a storm and a breakdown of its internal technology. Now, the company says it’s offering affected customers 25,000 bonus points as a “gesture of goodwill,” according to The Washington Post. …

Cycloalkanes a strong candidate for reducing aviation emissions

Scientists at Sandia National Laboratories have released data that could play an important role in the future development of cleaner and more sustainable aviation fuel. The team explored the physical properties of cycloalkanes, which, when used in jet fuel may reduce condensation trail formation and soot emissions as compared to current fuels.

For Aviation, an ‘Unprecedented Opportunity’

Air transportation policy and logistics expert Martin Dresner says the post-COVID period will provide the aviation industry with a tremendous opportunity to build back better and greener, and this hinges on cooperative initiatives under centralized leadership.

Cleared for takeoff

A 30-year program that made flying safer through continued innovations in airplane inspection, maintenance and airworthiness research has ended its tenure at Sandia National Laboratories. The Federal Aviation Administration Airworthiness Assurance Center, or AANC, operated by Sandia for the FAA, is moving to the National Institute of Aviation Research at Wichita State University to combine with another long-standing FAA center. The planned move supports shifts in structure at both Sandia and the FAA.

Story Tips from the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, December 2019

An additively manufactured polymer layer applied to specialized plastic proved effective to protect aircraft from lightning strikes in lab test; injecting shattered argon pellets into a super-hot plasma, when needed, could protect a fusion reactor’s interior wall from runaway electrons; ORNL will celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Liane Russell on December 20.