The project UNIC (Understanding Non-CO2 Impact for deCarbonized aviation) aims to enhance scientific understanding of non-CO2 aviation emissions and their climate impact, focusing on decarbonization strategies such as Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and hydrogen (H2). It will also explore the role of lubrication oil in contrail formation. To meet these objectives, UNIC sets four specific goals:

• Improve emissions knowledge by developing in-flight sensors to measure real-world engine emissions and conduct detailed analysis of particle size, chemical composition, and the impact of lubrication oil on emissions
• Understand the impact of SAF and H2 on non-CO2 emissions through ground and in-flight tests, examining their role in soot and particle formation
• Enhance modelling tools by integrating new pollutants and parameters into models, improving the simulation of contrails and aerosol-cloud interactions, and assessing the global climate impact of aviation emissions
• Provide improved data and tools for policymakers to evaluate aviation's non-CO2 effects, supporting decisions on regulations and climate mitigation strategies.

Overall, UNIC aims to inform future regulations and improve climate models to better understand aviation’s environmental impact.

The Centre for Aviation of the ZHAW will contribute to the sensor development as well as the testing with real engine exhaust at the SR Technics test cell.