The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has received an $800,000 grant from the U.S. Air Force to research green rocket and missile fuels that are safer, cheaper, and better for the environment. Professors Rui Sun and Ralf I. Kaiser of UH Mānoa’s Department of Chemistry are leading the effort, focusing on Deep Eutectic Propellants (DeEPs)—fuels made from less toxic, affordable materials that can be adjusted to burn reliably in rocket engines. This research supports the larger move toward “green chemistry,” which aims to design products and processes that reduce hazardous impacts while also cutting costs for space exploration and defense.
The project will combine lab experiments using ultrasonic levitation with advanced computer modeling and machine learning to study how these propellants ignite and break down. By uncovering the chemical steps and reaction speeds, the team hopes to pave the way for next-generation fuels. Along with advancing science, the project offers hands-on research opportunities for UH students and builds connections with Department of Defense labs and industry partners to help transition discoveries into real-world applications.