Brian Mattingly, a graduate student in chemical engineering at the university, said the research allows biodiesel producers to assess different materials to see what works best as a fuel that can power diesel engines entirely or in part.

The university claim the chicken-fat method has already shown potential signs of success, reporting the fuel burns better, creates less particulate matter and lubricates and cleans cylinders, pistons and fuel lines.

"We're trying to expand the petroleum base. Five to 20% blending of biodiesel into petroleum-based diesel significantly reduces our dependence on foreign oil," Mattingly said.

The University claim that the research will reduce the nation's reliance on foreign oil, with soybean oil already being used in biodiesel fuels.

"Chicken fat can be a less-expensive substitute than soybean oil, because it is available at a low cost. However it is still to be determined if the process is economically feasible."

Traditionally, biodiesel producers have used refined products like soybean oil because they are easier to convert to fuels. However, the refining process makes soybean oil more expensive.

But problems have already been noticed with the chicken fat method, as some of the fatty acids in raw chicken fat can lead to the creation of soap products during various chemical processes.

"The project demonstrated that there is a very fine line between facilitating an adequate reaction and generating so much soap that the biodiesel yield is diminished," Mattingly said.

While the university claim that the chicken fat method will never entirely replace petroleum as a fuel for motor vehicles, it is just one of a huge inventory of potential underdeveloped energy sources that could reduce the dependency on traditional oil products.