Plasma tech zaps air into clean ammonia without gas or pressure

Researchers at the University of Sydney have developed a novel plasma-based technology that produces ammonia directly from air using electricity and artificial lightning, offering a cleaner, decentralized alternative to the traditional Haber-Bosch process. Unlike the conventional method, which requires high heat, pressure, and fossil fuels, this new two-step approach excites nitrogen and oxygen molecules in air via plasma and then converts them into gaseous ammonia through a membrane-based electrolyzer. This innovation bypasses previous inefficiencies where ammonia was only produced in liquid ammonium form, enabling a more straightforward and scalable production of green ammonia, particularly beneficial for rural or off-grid areas. Ammonia is critical not only for fertilizer production, supporting nearly half of global food supply, but also as a potential carbon-free fuel and hydrogen carrier, with industries like shipping exploring its use to reduce emissions. The Sydney team’s plasma-electrolysis method has demonstrated viability in energy efficiency and scalability for the plasma component, though further improvements are needed for the electrolyzer’s efficiency.