Scientists from the Shanghai Advanced Research Institute have developed an iron-based catalyst that converts carbon dioxide and water into long-chain chemicals for jet fuel. The process operates at 330 degrees Celsius and demonstrated stability over an 800-hour continuous run, suggesting the technology is ready for industrial scaling. While the chemical efficiency is high, the path to commercial use faces regulatory hurdles. The aviation industry currently lacks airworthiness certification for fuels produced via carbon dioxide hydrogenation, meaning the technology must still pass rigorous safety and sustainability trials before it can be used in commercial flights.
