archive.php

Biofuels in the aeronautical industry

Traveling by plane is an increasingly close possibility for people. Cheaper flights, more possible destinations to visit have meant that the number of passengers has skyrocketed in recent years, and this is a trend that will continue in the future.

IATA, the International Air Transport Association, estimates that the number of passengers will double by 2037, reaching 8.2 billion a year. Aircraft manufacturer Boeing forecasts that there will be a demand for more than 42,700 new aircraft over the next 20 years, while Airbus (another aircraft manufacturer) has a similar estimate.However, civil aeronautics (passenger transport by plane) faces the challenge of making its development compatible with caring for the environment. It is estimated that around 2% of total CO2 emissions correspond to air transport, and in fact the European Union has proposed that the CO2 emissions produced by this sector decreased by 75% by 2050.

The aviation industry has been looking for ways to reduce its carbon footprint and one of the solutions that has been proposed is the use of biofuels. Let’s discuss some advantages and disadvantages of its use in this industry.

Advantages

Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions

The use of biofuels in the aviation industry can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% compared to fossil fuels, according to a study by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). This reduction is due to the fact that biofuels emit less carbon dioxide during their production and combustion.

Less dependency on fossil fuels

Biofuels are produced from organic materials, such as plants and organic waste, which means they are not dependent on fossil fuels. This can help reduce the volatility of oil prices and ensure a more stable supply of fuel to the aviation industry.

Improvement of the image of the industry

The use of biofuels can improve the image of the aviation industry and its commitment to sustainability and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. This can be beneficial for companies seeking to appeal to consumers who are increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of their purchasing decisions.

Disadvantages

Competition with food production

One of the main problems with the use of biofuels is that they can compete with food production and therefore increase food prices. Plants used to produce biofuels could also be used to produce food, which could have a negative impact on food security in countries with high levels of poverty and malnutrition.

Land and water use

The production of biofuels requires large tracts of land and large amounts of water. This can have a negative impact on the environment and on the availability of water for other purposes, such as food production and human consumption.

High production costs

The production cost of biofuels is higher than that of fossil fuels due to the high costs of production and transformation of raw materials. This could limit its use in the aviation industry and increase the prices of airline tickets.

Food for thought:

What advantages and disadvantages do you think air travel has compared to other means of transportation?

Do you think that biofuels are a real alternative to fossil fuels in the aviation industry?

What other options could you propose to reduce CO2 emissions associated with air travel?

Boeing and The Pan American Development Fund Back Kids’ STEM Education with Lab4U Partnership

Lab4U could not be more excited to announce a new partnership with The Boeing Company and The Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) in support of science teachers and students in Querétaro, Mexico. Together, the companies will be providing free lab technology, materials, and support across three schools for the 2021-2022 school year.

“STEM education is critical for equipping students with the skills they need to thrive in the 21st century (…) However, in Latin America, up to 88% of schools don’t have science labs, and in those that do, much of the equipment is out of date. It puts those students at a disadvantage from an early age and leaves them uninspired.”

Komal Dadlani, CEO of Lab4U.

Dadlani co-founded Lab4U to help close that gap. The socially-conscious company increases access to quality science education by developing affordable new technologies and teaching methodologies that students can access from anywhere, thanks to their smartphones. Using Lab4U’s app and accessories, a cell phone becomes a pocket laboratory, allowing kids to complete a wide range of science labs in real time.

Lab4U and PADF teachers experimenting with Lab4Chemistry

The Boeing-Lab4U-PADF alliance will provide three Querétaro-based schools with unlimited access to Lab4U’s chemistry and physics applications, plus additional materials, training, and monitoring for science teachers and students in Upper Secondary Education. All tools will support CONALEP and COBAQ curricula; most importantly, they will promote meaningful learning and an increased interest in STEM subjects.

The effort comes at a particularly important time as schools navigate the ongoing shift between in-class and remote learning. Thanks to their portability, Lab4U’s phone-based products allow teachers to create an effective learning experience for their students both in school and at home. As a result, teachers can leverage real-world experiments to help their students to better understand their environment during this particularly challenging time.

Boeing chose Querétaro for the project’s launch, because the state is one of its largest producers of aircraft parts.

“STEM education prepares students to face the challenges of the future. At PADF Mexico, we are very happy to have the STEM Americas program in Querétaro, as it will help stimulate curiosity and an interest in scientific knowledge for the good of our country. Future graduates of the program will enjoy better work opportunities, and it’s an opportunity, also, for Mexico to promote workforce training that engages people with the economy and is rooted in human development and dignity.”

Valeria Uribe, Director of PADF Mexico.

To bolster these skills, Lab4U will be partnering with Boeing to design aerospace-related experiments to inspire students to pursue STEM-related careers. At Lab4U we are happy to join forces with an organization that cares about Education and has been working on it for a long time. For more information on other Education related topics from Boeing, check out the following link: Boeing Educational Resources. 

This year with PADF and Boeing, Lab4U is working in the Querétaro-area schools which are currently invited to apply for the STEM program; three teachers will be chosen to receive the program that includes Lab4U’s implementation and support. The project is also a part of the STEM Americas program, which encourages math and science education across Latin America through strategic partnerships between schools and the private sector. For more information on Boeing’s growth in Mexico, visit here. For more information on PADF, visit here. For more information on Lab4U’s novel approach to science education, visit lab4u.co.