As global warming threatens the future of military and commercial aviation, a Chinese team of researchers with a vision to end fossil fuel dependence is making a big splash in the engineering industry.

Led by a tenured expert researcher, the team intends to make modern airliners fly across the globe powered exclusively by air and electricity, all possible because of a secret ingredient: plasma.

The scientists have thus far designed a prototype jet engine that uses plasma technology to create thrust.

And while the group affirms that mankind is on the verge of moving one step closer to carbon emission-free air travel, several experts wonder if their secretive theories are just a load of hot air…