Perspective
Feb. 24, 2022
The ‘aha’ moment: Meha Shah
In any scientific endeavor, coming up with the idea is just the first step in the journey to a breakthrough. The finish line of innovation requires the curiosity, patience and resolve to keep working through unexpected setbacks and technical challenges.
Perspective
Feb. 24, 2022
This is especially true as ExxonMobil researchers work together on researching and developing the next generation of lower-emission transportation fuels. Reducing emissions from ships and planes and on the roads is essential to meeting climate goals, as the transportation sector accounts for nearly one-quarter of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.
In this series, we spoke with some of ExxonMobil’s top scientists to find out what they’ve learned, what surprised them, and how they define success in the long game of scientific inquiry.
For as long as she can remember, Meha Shah knew she wanted to be a chemist and develop breakthrough medicine that would help people live better lives. But after completing a PhD in organic chemistry and a postdoctoral fellowship in pharmacology, she decided she wanted to broaden her horizons.
Today, Meha is a researcher at ExxonMobil helping create the next generation of bio-lubricants. While much of the work is in its infancy, it has the potential to lower emissions associated with producing the lubricants that help keep engines running smoothly.
ExxonMobil is working on a number of projects aimed at lowering emissions from transportation. The sector accounts for 29% of emissions in the U.S. Alongside lubricants, the company is also advancing research on several lower-emission fuels, such as renewable diesel.
Hear more about how Meha’s values continue to drive her work and how she’s thinking about next-generation technology.
Explore more
Can ships run on biofuel?
Key takeaways:
- The shipping industry produces around 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and our biofuels are helping reduce emissions in what is a hard-to-decarbonize sector.
- Biofuels – lower-emission fuels from renewable sources such as plant and waste biomass – are important to reducing emissions in the industry.
- In 2022 and 2023 we delivered very low sulphur fuel oil to ships in the Port of Singapore.
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• May 30, 2024Expert spotlight: Brianne Kanach - from intern to advancing lower-emission fuels
Key takeaways:
- The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers featured Brianne in their We Make Progress campaign, celebrating her contribution to the industry.
- Some of the LEFs we've tested can potentially reduce lifecycle GHG emissions by 20-75% vs conventional fuels.
- Liquid fuels can pack more energy than other options and can be used in existing vehicles.
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• May 28, 2024Fueling America's future with Toyota
Key takeaways:
- Lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emission liquid fuels hold promise.
- They seamlessly integrate with existing infrastructure and vehicles.
- With supportive policy, they could complement electric vehicles.
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2 min read
• May 9, 2024Co-processing: Making tomorrow’s fuel with today’s facilities
Key takeaways:
- Co-processing can accelerate the path to a lower-carbon future.
- This technology can use our existing infrastructure to produce more lower-emission fuels (LEFs).
- With policy support, co-processing can help meet rising demand for LEFs.
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2 min read
• April 17, 2024Let’s deliver sustainable aviation fuel – with our existing infrastructure in France
- Global air travel demand is increasing.
- Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) presents an opportunity to reduce emissions.
- Co-processing can help accelerate the energy transition.
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Dec. 5, 2023
Strathcona: The road to renewable fuel
Renewable fuel production is ramping up at the Strathcona refinery. With hundreds of employees and contractors, and the capacity to fill 500,000 vehicles per day, this facility could deliver more than 6 million barrels of renewable diesel per year.
Perspective
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Aug. 3, 2023