This study assesses the economic and environmental implications of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production using Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) and Gasification Fischer-Tropsch (GFT) technologies, focusing on Colombian lignocellulosic feedstocks and evaluating key performance indicators such as yield, minimum fuel selling price, and life cycle assessment. GFT demonstrates promising results, yielding and Minimum Fuel Selling Price (MFSP) of about 1.3 USD/L and a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of 3.2 to 7.7 gCO2 eq/MJ. However, its scalability is constrained by the volumes it manages. On the other hand, ATJ has an MFSP between 1.9 and 2.4 USD/L. Aligned with aviation industry goals for carbon-neutral growth, this analysis provides valuable insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders, supporting informed decisions toward sustainable aviation fuel adoption in the Colombian context.@en

We have demonstrated three 4×2 hot electron bolometer (HEB) mixer arrays for operation at local oscillator (LO) frequencies of 1.4, 1.9 and 4.7 THz, respectively. These arrays consist of spiral antenna coupled NbN HEB mixers combined with elliptical lenses. These are to date the highest pixel count arrays using a quasi-optical coupling scheme at supra-THz frequencies. At 1.4 THz, we obtained an average double sideband mixer noise temperature of 330 K, a mixer conversion loss of 5.2 dB, and an optimum LO power of 210 nW. The array at 1.9 THz has an average mixer noise temperature of 425K, a mixer conversion loss of 6.4 dB, and an optimum LO power of 190 nW. For the array at 4.7 THz we obtained an average mixer noise temperature of 715 K, a mixer conversion loss of 8.9 dB, and an optimum LO power of 240 nW. We found the arrays to be uniform regarding the mixer noise temperature with a standard deviation of 3-4%, the conversion loss with a standard deviation of 8-11%, and optimum LO power with a standard deviation of 5-6%. The noise bandwidth was also measured, being 3.5 GHz for the three arrays. These performances are comparable to previously reported values in the literature for single pixels and also other detector arrays at similar frequencies. Our arrays met the requirements and were employed in the Galactic/Extra-Galactic ULDB Spectroscopic Terahertz Observatory (GUSTO), a NASA balloon borne observatory. GUSTO launched from Antarctica on the 31st December 2023 having a successful flight of 57 days, the longest ever recorded by NASA for such mission profile.@en

This research explores the optimization of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) production in Colombia, emphasizing economic and environmental factors. It examines feedstock availability, production technologies Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ), Fischer-Tropsch (FT), and geographical considerations to determine the Minimum Fuel Selling Price (MFSP) of SAF. The environmental analysis employs a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), considering CO2 emissions at each value chain step with an energy allocation factor for equitable carbon footprint distribution. Results highlight increased SAF demand in urban centers, necessitating diverse biomass sourcing. Fischer-Tropsch proves efficient but with high energy requirements impacting costs, while Alcohol-to-Jet offers an alternative leveraging existing bioethanol facilities. The study emphasizes data sensitivity importance, addressing limitations and showcasing 0.072 USD/L change for 1% allocation change and 0.03 USD per liter for 1% conversion drop in Gas-to-Liquid Fuel, and 0.04 USD/L for allocation and 0.1 USD/L for 1% conversion drop in Alcohol-to-Jet. Compared to prior work, this research provides detailed economic and environmental insights, extending analysis depth and acknowledging limitations, thereby enhancing research comprehensiveness and applicability.@en

This article reviews the current scenario and the main uncertainties and challenges associated with implementing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in Colombia, from which it determines the possible certified technologies under the ASTM D 7566 standard as well as co-processing technologies contemplated within the ASTM D 1655 standard, more suitable for the implementation of SAF production. Likewise, through the PESTEL tool (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, and Legal), a diagnosis is made in order to obtain an updated overview of the implementation of SAF in Colombia. Based on the above, it provides recommendations to mitigate the uncertainties identified, and it is complemented by the ECOCANVAS tool, which applies to businesses related to the circular economy, and also include the net production potential of SAF in Colombia, considering the production of feedstock, in agricultural residue of sugarcane, oil palm, corn, and coffee. This study concludes with some policy recommendations that can make SAF implementation viable and allow responsible institutions to organize themselves for better strategic action and identify the fields of research and the need for investment in R + D + i to strengthen the supply chain.@en