How It Works: An electric fix for aviation's air pollution problem [design & production - aircraft

Abstract

Land vehicles' contribution to degrading air quality and climate change is significant. However, a study led by a team at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has found that aviation emissions are an increasingly important contributor to anthropogenic climate change. Upon reaching cruise altitude, aeroplanes spew out steady streams of oxides into the atmosphere. The suspended oxides, mostly nitrogen, linger long enough to spark new chemical reactions with atmospheric oxygen, producing ozone and fine particulate matter. Such highly reactive and toxic nitrogen oxides (NOx) are known to cause asthma, decreased lung function and cardiovascular disorders. Fortunately, there now seems to be a fix. With a new concept for aircraft propulsion, MIT engineers claim they can finally solve aviation's air pollution problem. The prototype aeroplane, which they say is capable of cutting aviation's hazardous nitrogen oxide emissions by 95 per cent, takes its inspiration from heavy-duty ground vehicles with post-combustion emission control systems.