Air Force Office of Scientific Research-sponsored university biofuel research holds the promise of utilizing hydrogen gas produced by algae and types of bacteria to power future military systems. Princeton University leads a group of eight academic institutions investigating under the BioSolarH2 initiative how to genetically engineer these microbes so that they will use light energy to split water and produce hydrogen in the presence of oxygen. Currently the microbes can only perform the process in the absence of oxygen. This initiative is one of USAF’s many activities aimed at exploiting renewable, affordable, and environmentally friendly sources of energy to lessen US dependence on foreign oil. (AFOSR report by Molly Lachance)
Aircraft readiness will suffer if Congress does not approve some $1.5 billion worth of spare parts the Air Force requested in its annual Unfunded Priorities List, sent to Capitol Hill last week, Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin said.