Dr. Mohamed Pourkashanian
Head of the Energy Innovation Centre at University of Sheffield
Speech Title:
Beyond CO2 Understanding the True Climate Signature of Sustainable Aviation Fuels
Biography
Professor M. Pourkashanian OBE is Head of the Energy Innovation Centre and Chair in Energy Engineering at the University of Sheffield and serves as General Secretary of the International Flame Research Foundation. He is Managing Director of the Translational Energy Research Centre and the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Innovation Centre. With a career spanning Sheffield and Leeds, he has led more than 100 research projects on sustainable energy systems, low-carbon fuels, carbon capture, and multi scale modelling, and has authored over 500 peer-reviewed publications. He contributes extensively to national and international policy, including roles with the SAF Finish Group, Jet Zero Task Force, Industrial Decarbonisation Advisory Group, NEATS Scientific Panel on Non-CO2, and EUROCONTROL. He is a Fellow of the Energy Institute, a Chartered Engineer. In recognition of his contributions to net zero research and innovation, he was appointed to the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the King’s New Year Honours List 2023.
Abstract
This keynote will outline how key fuel-chemistry parameters, aromatic species, molecular structure, and the H/C ratio shape aviation’s non-CO₂ emissions. It will review the leading-order chemical drivers of gaseous pollutants, particulate formation, and particle toxicity, before presenting new engine and APU results for six SAFs produced via different pathways. These findings illustrate how molecular design translates into measurable differences in nvPM, vPM, NO/NO2 behaviour, energy density, and contrail-relevant properties.