Engineering students at Kingston University have turned to beeswax to power their rocket engine design.
For centuries, humans have used beeswax for a variety of purposes, including candles, cosmetics, medicine and lubricants. Students at Kingston University’s rocket lab have now discovered another use for it – as fuel for a rocket engine.
They chose beeswax because it has similar properties to paraffin, both being waxy substances made up of long-chain hydrocarbons. However, while paraffin is typically derived from petroleum, beeswax is a natural, renewable resource.
Aerospace engineering and space technology student Michaella Gapelbe Santander said: “In the industry fuels such as paraffin or [high-density polyethylene] are used as energy sources, but we decided to take a more interesting and sustainable approach by using beeswax.”
Bees produce wax to build comb for their hives. This comb features hexagonal cells that are used to store honey, pollen and larvae. Once filled, the bees cover...
