Hyderabad,Pilani: In a significant scientific development, researchers from BITS Pilani and Hyderabad have identified Dimethyl Ether (DME) as a viable alternative to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), offering potential relief amid global concerns over fuel supply disruptions linked to the Iran-US conflict.

The research team, led by Saunak Roy, Head of the Department of Research and Innovation, along with Satyapal Singh and retired professor BM Reddy, has successfully developed an innovative method to produce DME using flue gases emitted from power plants.

This breakthrough involves converting industrial flue gas into Dimethyl Ether by combining it with hydrogen generated through water electrolysis. The process is enabled by advanced bi-functional materials, marking a significant step forward in clean fuel technology.

According to the scientists, DME not only serves as an efficient alternative to LPG but also produces significantly lower emissions, making it an environmentally sustainable option.

This development comes at a crucial time when global geopolitical tensions have raised concerns over LPG availability, highlighting the importance of alternative energy solutions.