US scientists have stated that coating jet engines with paint that contains zirconia might help them burn hotter and cleaner. The zirconia, which is similar to the one found in fake diamonds, will be used to coat the turbine blades, and it will also prevent the engines from being damaged by sand.

Researchers are planning to coat the blades on the front of the engine with zirconia, also adding aluminium and titanium. The engines run by sucking air and increasing the pressure inside, where the fuel is injected and ignited. Sometimes, unwanted sand particles are sucked into the engine, and due to the high temperatures, this crystalises into glass. Thanks to the titanium and aluminium coating, the glass won’t damage the engine.

Using this new coating would allow engines to burn at higher temperatures, thus saving fuel and increasing speed. This measure would also increase the lifetime and efficiency of an engine. Still, it will be several years before this new coating will start being used.