What if waste biogas could become a viable source of sustainable aviation fuel, using light rather than combustion to drive the chemistry? As aviation searches for scalable ways to decarbonize, Trevor Best, Co-Founder and CEO of Syzygy Plasmonics, shares how breakthroughs in photocatalysis could offer a path that turns waste into a valuable fuel while tackling one of the sector’s toughest climate challenges. In this episode of Hardware to Save A Planet, host Dylan Garrett speaks with Trevor about how a promising photocatalyst discovered at Rice University is being used to develop an industrial technology designed for commercial-scale applications that decarbonizes aviation fuel. Trevor explains how Syzygy developed its plasmonic photocatalysis platform, moved from early work in hydrogen to sustainable aviation fuel, and engineered an annular reactor capable of achieving more than 80% energy efficiency. He also explores why co-processing methane and CO2 can significantly increase fuel output, how regulatory mandates are shaping the SAF market, and why choosing the right project site can be just as important as the underlying technology. Along the way, Trevor shares lessons on building climate hardware, navigating funding challenges, and turning audacious scientific ideas into commercial reality. Hardware to Save a Planet is brought to you by Synapse. We are a global product development and engineering firm that partners with visionary companies to design, develop, and realize breakthrough hardware and AI-powered innovations that advance climate technologies. To learn more about Synapse and potential business partnerships we offer outside of the podcast, please visit: https://www.synapse.com/contact/ to get in touch!