Project Jet Fuel from Nonedible Vegetable Oils Program Engineering Term Academic Year 2025 Status Pending Research Area Energy and Environment Description The aviation industry relies heavily on jet fuel produced from petroleum-based kerosene, which primarily consists of C9 to C16 hydrocarbons. Kerosene’s composition consists of straight chain and branched alkanes, aromatic hydrocarbons, and cycloalkanes, which offer efficient combustion and stability for aviation. However, with the gradual depletion of fossil fuels and their destructive environmental impact, researchers are looking for a renewable and eco-friendly alternative. This research is intended to continue the research of decarboxylation, cracking, and hydrodeoxygenation of fatty acids in coffee oil, a byproduct of Spent Coffee Grounds (SCGs). Supervisor Enrico Martinez Sainz Mentor Type of work required Experimental lab work involving extraction of coffee oil from Spent Coffee Grounds followed by recovery of the solvent by evaporation and reaction of the oil with water and a catalyst in a high pressure and high temperature reactor. Websites https://engineering.purdue.edu/ChE/people/ptProfile?resource_id=56891 Qualifications Minimum 3.0 GPA and lab experience from first year engineering chemistry courses. Credit Hours 0 Weekly Hours 0 (estimated)