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Engineers develop general, high-speed technology to model, understand catalytic reactions

A research team at Iowa State University has developed artificial intelligence technology that can model and understand complex chemical reactions, including those involved in ammonia production. The technology uses reinforcement learning to identify the optimal reaction pathway, promising to reduce production costs and emissions.

SourceIowa State University·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 5, 2024

An AI-powered wearable system tracks the 3D movement of smart pills in the gut

Scientists developed an AI-powered system to track tiny devices that monitor markers of disease in the gut. The system includes a wearable coil and ingestible pill with optical gas-sensing membranes, pinpointing device location and measuring gases like ammonia. Future improvements aim to make the device smaller and more power-efficient.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 12, 2024

A cleaner way to produce ammonia

Scientists from the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have discovered a new way to produce ammonia, an essential fertilizer and component of cleaning products, using rare-earth metals as catalysts. The process operates at ambient conditions, reducing energy consumption and promoting food security.

UIC engineers ‘symphonize’ cleaner ammonia production

University of Illinois Chicago engineers have developed a new ammonia production process that meets several green targets. The process combines nitrogen gas and ethanol with a charged lithium electrode, producing ammonia at low temperatures and regenerating materials with each cycle. If scaled up, the process could produce ammonia at 6...

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 1, 2024

Electrocatalytic ammonia synthesis: Towards an environmentally means of producing ammonia

Researchers at Tohoku University's AIMR have developed a novel approach to electrocatalytic ammonia synthesis, utilizing transition metal disulfides as catalysts. The breakthrough relies on the in-situ generation of S-vacancies on the catalyst surface, significantly enhancing nitrogen reduction activity.

SourceAdvanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·DateMar 22, 2024

Powering nitrogenases

Researchers have identified two essential ferredoxins that play a key role in determining the performance of iron nitrogenase. The discovery opens up new possibilities for elucidating and maximizing nitrogenase's potential, which could lead to sustainable enzymatic production of ammonia and carbon compounds.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalmBio·DateFeb 23, 2024

Unlocking Earth's ammonia mysteries: China's HIRAS/FY-3D satellite reveals first global map

Researchers from China have developed an algorithm to derive atmospheric ammonia concentrations from the HIRAS instrument on the FY-3D satellite. This marks the first global map of atmospheric ammonia observed by the HIRAS instrument, providing crucial insights into its environmental impact and climate change implications.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateJan 8, 2024

Study: Extreme rainfall increases ag nutrient runoff, conservation strategies can help

A new study from the University of Illinois finds that extreme rainfall leads to significant spikes in nutrient concentrations, particularly after ½ inch, 1 inch, and 2 inches of precipitation. However, agricultural management practices such as cover crops can lower nutrient levels in water and persist until the end of the growing season.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association·DateDec 11, 2023

Ammonia fuel offers great benefits but demands careful action

Researchers at Princeton University found that an ammonia economy can help achieve decarbonization goals, but it poses risks if not managed properly. The widespread use of ammonia could lead to significant emissions of nitrous oxide and nitrogen oxides, affecting air quality, water quality, and ecosystems.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 13, 2023

An ammonia trail to exoplanets

A team of researchers has detected ammonia isotopologues in the atmosphere of a cold brown dwarf, providing new clues to understanding gas giant formation. The ratio of two isotopologues reveals that the exoplanet formed through gravitational collapse, challenging traditional theories.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateNov 7, 2023

New study highlights feasibility and optimization of ammonia-based power generation for carbon neutrality

A recent study evaluates the feasibility of ammonia-based power generation through techno-economic and carbon footprint analyses. The research reveals an impressive energy efficiency rate of 46.7% within the designed power generation process, with costs and greenhouse gas emissions considered.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·DateSep 8, 2023

Can an artificial nose detect food spoilage?

A new artificial olfactory system, integrated on a single chip, detects food spoilage by identifying low levels of hydrogen sulfide and ammonia gases. The system tracks freshness scores in real-time during the spoilage process.

SourceWiley·JournalAdvanced Science·DateSep 5, 2023

Ammonia as a carbon-free hydrogen carrier for fuel cells: a perspective

Researchers discuss the potential of using ammonia as a hydrogen carrier for on-site power generation via ammonia decomposition. The high hydrogen content (17.6 wt%) and low toxicity make it an attractive alternative to traditional hydrogen storage methods, but challenges such as leakage and toxicity need to be addressed.

SourceIndustrial Chemistry & Materials·JournalIndustrial Chemistry and Materials·TypeLiterature review·DateAug 8, 2023

A safe, easy, and affordable way to store and retrieve hydrogen

Researchers at RIKEN CEMS have discovered a perovskite compound that can safely store corrosive ammonia gas as a nitrogen compound, allowing for efficient storage and retrieval of hydrogen. The process is much cheaper than traditional methods and can be repeated multiple times.

SourceRIKEN·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 10, 2023

For eco-friendly ammonia, just add water

Stanford researchers develop a simple and environmentally sound method to produce ammonia by combining nitrogen from the air with tiny water droplets, requiring minimal energy and low cost. This innovative approach could revolutionize agriculture and reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with current industrial methods.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 24, 2023

A panoramic view on lithium-mediated electrochemical dinitrogen reduction reaction

The review summarizes the recent progress of Li-eN2 RR, covering reaction mechanisms, catalysts developed, and electrolytes involved. It highlights the challenges and possible resolving strategies in the field. The study also discusses the importance of rational design of electrocatalysts and electrolytes for efficient NH3 production.

SourceIndustrial Chemistry & Materials·JournalIndustrial Chemistry and Materials·TypeLiterature review·DateApr 24, 2023

Opening a new frontier: PdMo intermetallic catalyst for promoting CO2 utilization

Researchers developed a stable and active catalyst for CO2 hydrogenation at room temperature, achieving high conversion efficiency comparable to state-of-the-art heterogeneous catalysts. The PdMo intermetallic catalyst was synthesized via a simple ammonolysis process and demonstrated robustness and durability in various conditions.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 5, 2023

Breaking the barrier: Low-temp ammonia synthesis with iron catalysts and barium hydride

Scientists have developed a new catalyst that enables the production of ammonia at lower temperatures, reducing energy consumption and potentially lowering global carbon emissions. The BaH2–BaO/Fe/CaH2 catalyst facilitates nitrogen gas adsorption, resulting in enhanced catalytic activity for ammonia production.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 30, 2023

Ammonia: Efficient hydrogen carrier and green steel enabler

Researchers at Max Planck Institute developed an ammonia-based direct reduction process to produce sustainable iron and steel, overcoming logistics and energetic disadvantages of hydrogen. The process yields the same metallization degree as hydrogen-based reduction while forming nitrides that protect the sponge iron from corrosion.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 25, 2023

Additive to make slurry more climate-friendly

A study by the University of Bonn has confirmed a significant reduction of methane emissions in slurry by 99% using calcium cyanamide, a long-standing fertilizer. This additive suppresses microbial degradation processes, resulting in lower greenhouse gas production during long-term storage.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalWaste Management·DateMar 3, 2023

Study demonstrates energy-efficient conversion of nitrate pollutants into ammonia

A new study by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign demonstrates an approach for integrated capture and conversion of nitrate-contaminated waters into valuable ammonia using a single electrochemical cell. The device shows significant enhancements in energy efficiency, nitrate removal, and ammonium production rate compared to ...

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 16, 2023