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Mild ammonia synthesis

A team of researchers has discovered that reactive boron compounds can efficiently target and activate molecular nitrogen, converting it to ammonium chloride at room temperature without metals or hydrogen gas. This radical-based approach opens up possibilities for ammonia production without fossil-based raw materials.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 14, 2022

Rice lab’s catalyst could be key for hydrogen economy

The new catalyst uses energy from light to convert ammonia into clean-burning hydrogen fuel, breaking the need for heat and potentially reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The discovery paves the way for sustainable, low-cost hydrogen production locally rather than in massive centralized plants.

SourceRice University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 24, 2022

Study: Turning wastewater into fertilizer is feasible and could help to make agriculture more sustainable

Researchers at Drexel University have conducted a lifecycle analysis of nitrogen reclamation from wastewater, showing that it's technically viable and could help reduce the environmental impact of fertilizer production. The study suggests air-stripping technology can be used to remove ammonia from wastewater, producing fertilizer chemi...

SourceDrexel University·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 18, 2022

Atomically dispersed bimetallic iron–cobalt electrocatalysts developed for green production of ammonia

Scientists developed a method to control the synthesis of single-atom catalysts, enabling the creation of bimetallic Fe-Co electrocatalysts with desired properties. These catalysts showed superior ammonia yield rates and faradaic efficiency under electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction conditions.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Sustainability·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 14, 2022

Durable, inexpensive catalyst reduces carbon footprint of ammonia production

Researchers develop stable catalyst that can produce ammonia at rates similar to conventional metal nitride catalysts, reducing the need for fossil fuels and lowering CO2 emissions. The new catalyst is chemically stable in the presence of moisture, enabling more efficient production under milder conditions.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 19, 2022

Researchers take first-ever cryo-EM images of nitrogenase in action

Scientists at the University of California San Diego have taken the first-ever cryo-EM images of nitrogenase during catalytic action, providing new insights into the enzyme's mechanism and its potential for cost-effective and environmentally friendly ammonia production. The atomic-level-resolution images may pave the way for understand...

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2022

A new frontier in water purification

Researchers at Boise State University developed a new water purification system that uses Ti3C2Tx MXene to remove ammonia from simulated wastewater. The system achieves a 100 times improvement in deionization capacity compared to activated carbon-based electrode systems, reducing energy consumption and pollutant ions.

SourceBoise State University College of Engineering·Journalnpj Clean Water·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 5, 2022

Agriculture emissions pose risks to health and climate

A study by Rice University finds that agricultural nitrogen emissions cause substantial damage to air quality, human health, and the climate. The researchers quantified emissions from fertilized soils over three years and found that ammonia had a much larger impact on damages than nitrogen oxides and nitrous oxide.

SourceRice University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 21, 2022

Dwarf planet Ceres was formed in coldest zone of Solar System and thrust into Asteroid Belt

Researchers propose that Ceres was formed outside the Frost Line, where ammonia ice is abundant, and then pulled into the Asteroid Belt by gravitational instability. Computer simulations support this hypothesis, showing that giant planet formation led to a turbulent environment that scattered objects into stable orbits.

Wireless self-powered ammonia leakage monitor system developed for ammonia-energy ships

Researchers have developed a full-set wireless self-powered ammonia leakage monitor system for ammonia-energy ships, which includes a honeycomb triboelectric nanogenerator-based power generation system and a carbon nanotube doped polypyrrole-based ammonia detection system. The system exhibited good performance with low detection limits...

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalNano Energy·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMay 6, 2022

Rice process aims to strip ammonia from wastewater

Researchers create high-performance catalyst to pull ammonia and solid fertilizer from low-level nitrates in industrial wastewater, reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The process works at room temperature and under ambient pressure, with potential for decentralized ammonia production.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 2, 2022

Cereals take control of bacterial production of ammonia fertiliser

Researchers have made a breakthrough in controlling bacterial nitrogen fixation by cereals, enabling them to produce their own ammonia fertiliser. This development has the potential to reduce reliance on industrially produced ammonia-based fertilisers and mitigate environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 11, 2022

Carbon molecular sieve integrated graphene sensor: New paradigm in atmospheric gas sensing and molecular identification

A new paradigm in atmospheric gas sensing has been achieved using a graphene sensor integrated with carbon molecular sieve functionality. The sensor demonstrates selective gas detection, including ammonia, at room temperature with a fast response time of seconds.

SourceJapan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateMar 17, 2022

Accelerated ammonia synthesis holds promise for conversion of renewable energy

Researchers at Hiroshima University have developed a process to synthesize ammonia from its constituent molecules of nitrogen and hydrogen at ambient pressure, paving the way for efficient use in renewable energy applications. The new method utilizes lithium hydride as a molecular scaffold to prevent clumping and increase reaction speed.

SourceHiroshima University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry C·DateFeb 14, 2022

Shrimp cocktails served in Japanese rivers

A study by Kyoto University found that migratory shrimp significantly enriched streams with nutrients, outperforming aquatic insects. The research highlights the crucial role of these small crustaceans in maintaining ecosystem balance and suggests integrating landscape management to support nutrient cycling.

SourceKyoto University·JournalOecologia·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 15, 2022

As LA traffic slowed amid the pandemic, researchers gained new insight into air pollution

A team of scientists used satellite images to track ammonia concentrations in the air above Los Angeles before and during the pandemic lockdown. They discovered that cars may produce up to 95% of this harmful pollutant throughout the city, significantly higher than previous estimates.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology Letters·TypeObservational study·DateNov 30, 2021

New study shows electric fields can improve the efficiency of wastewater purification

Researchers from South Korea have demonstrated that applying an electric field during air stripping can significantly improve ammonia removal efficiency from wastewater. The study found that electric fields with alternating current of 50 MHz and power of 15 V/cm increase efficiency from 51% to 94%, even under sub-optimal conditions.

SourceNational Korea Maritime and Ocean University·JournalWater Research·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 24, 2021

Ternary ruthenium complex hydrides can catalyze ammonia synthesis under mild condition

Researchers have developed efficient catalysts for ammonia synthesis under mild conditions using ternary ruthenium complex hydrides. The unique configuration and function mechanism of these complexes enables non-dissociative activation of nitrogen, leading to superior kinetics and favored ammonia production.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalNature Catalysis·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateNov 19, 2021