New device produces ammonia from air and reduces emissions

In a significant advance for agricultural sustainability, a group of researchers from Stanford University and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Saudi Arabia have developed a device capable of producing ammonia from the air . This essential component in fertilizer production is obtained through a process that uses wind energy, which could transform the agricultural industry and reduce its carbon footprint.

Ammonia is a key ingredient in fertilizers used to feed the world’s growing population. However, traditional ammonia production, which relies on combining nitrogen and hydrogen at high pressures and temperatures, is energy intensive and responsible for a significant percentage of global CO₂ emissions. The new technology, which operates at room temperature and standard atmospheric pressure, promises to change this by offering a cleaner, more efficient alternative.

How does the device work?

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The device works by harnessing nitrogen and hydrogen present in the air and water vapour , without the need for external energy sources. By passing air through a mesh coated with a specific catalyst, ammonia is produced that can be used as a fertiliser. This process is cheaper and cleaner and also allows farmers to generate fertilisers directly on site , eliminating dependence on centralised production methods and long logistical distances.

This breakthrough opens the door to a greener, more decentralized way of producing ammonia, which could revolutionize agriculture.
“This is a very interesting study,” said Richard Zare, a professor of chemistry at Stanford and senior author of the study.

Ammonia in the air transforms agricultural sustainability

Researchers have also noted that the device has great potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture. Currently, this industry accounts for around a third of all global carbon emissions, mainly due to the intensive use of synthetic fertilizers and fossil fuels.

This approach dramatically reduces the carbon footprint of ammonia production, which has the potential to transform the sustainability of global agriculture.
According to Xiaowei Song, co-author of the study and a scientist in chemistry at Stanford,

In addition to its application in fertilizers, green ammonia is also seen as a potential source for storing and transporting renewable energy, a key area in the transition to cleaner energy sources.

A device ready for the market

The researchers plan to commercialize the device within the next two to three years . According to Chanbasha Basheer, a co-author of the study, the next step will be to scale up the technology to produce larger quantities of ammonia , with the hope that it can eventually be integrated into agricultural systems around the world.