Tracking Biofuel Innovation: A Graph-Based Analysis of Sustainable Aviation Fuel Patents

• Published in: Energies (Basel) Vol. 17; no. 15; p. 3683
• Main Authors: de Oliveira, Matheus Noschang, Mosquéra, Letícia Rezende, Martins, Patricia Helena dos Santos, Serrano, André Luiz Marques, Bispo, Guilherme Dantas, Vergara, Guilherme Fay, Saiki, Gabriela Mayumi, Neumann, Clovis, Gonçalves, Vinícius Pereira
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01-08-2024
• Subjects: Aeronautics; Air pollution; Air quality; Algorithms; Alternative energy sources; Aviation fuel; Biodiesel fuels; biofuel; Biofuels; Biomass energy; Carbon dioxide; Emissions; Energy minerals; Energy resources; Environmental impact; Fossil fuels; Graph representations; graph theory; Green technology; Greenhouse gases; Hydrogen as fuel; Innovations; Intellectual property; Kerosene; R&D; Renewable resources; Research & development; SAF; Trends; Brazil; China
• ISSN: 1996-1073; 1996-1073
• DOI: 10.3390/en17153683

The use of biofuels represents a promising means of achieving a sustainable future and offers considerable economic and environmental benefits. Since they are derived from organic sources, such as vegetable oils and animal fats, biofuels can mitigate the effects of greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, support local agriculture, create employment opportunities, and enhance energy security by reducing dependence on fossil fuels. However, introducing these alternative fuels to the aviation sector remains a significant challenge. Thus, it is vital to investigate the potential of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and discover how to overcome the technological obstacles to its integration into mainstream aviation to attain broader decarbonization objectives. This article seeks to contribute to a discussion about SAF by examining how it has evolved and its connections to related patents. This article is a comprehensive study of biofuel innovation, highlighting the complex relationships between academia, industry, and other stakeholders. It is hoped that the findings from this study will provide a clearer understanding of the catalysts involved in SAF innovation and provide valuable insights for policymakers, academics, and professionals in the field who are committed to shaping the trajectory of sustainable energy technologies in the future.