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Using lightning to make ammonia out of thin air
4 July 2025
Using lightning to make ammonia out of thin air
Scientists have developed lightning-produced ammonia in gas form - a new, more efficient method that brings us closer to sustainable production of ammonia and transition to a hydrogen-based economy.
University of Sydney researchers have harnessed human-made lightning to develop a more efficient method of generating ammonia – one of the world’s most important chemicals. Ammonia is also the main ingredient of fertilisers that account for almost half of all global food production.
The team have successfully developed a more straightforward method to produce ammonia (NH₃ ) in gas form. Previous efforts by other laboratories produced ammonia in a solution (ammonium, NH₄⁺ ), which requires more energy and processes to transform it into the final gas product.
The current method to generate ammonia, the Haber-Bosch process, comes at great climate cost, leaving a huge carbon footprint. It also needs to happen on a large scale and close to sources of cheap natural gas to make it cost-effective.
…
“In this research we’ve successfully developed a method that allows air to be converted to ammonia in its gaseous form using electricity. A huge step towards our goals.”
…
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/anie.202508240Using lightning to make ammonia out of thin air
Scientists have developed lightning-produced ammonia in gas form - a new, more efficient method that brings us closer to sustainable production of ammonia and transition to a hydrogen-based economy.
University of Sydney researchers have harnessed human-made lightning to develop a more efficient method of generating ammonia – one of the world’s most important chemicals. Ammonia is also the main ingredient of fertilisers that account for almost half of all global food production.
The team have successfully developed a more straightforward method to produce ammonia (NH₃ ) in gas form. Previous efforts by other laboratories produced ammonia in a solution (ammonium, NH₄⁺ ), which requires more energy and processes to transform it into the final gas product.
The current method to generate ammonia, the Haber-Bosch process, comes at great climate cost, leaving a huge carbon footprint. It also needs to happen on a large scale and close to sources of cheap natural gas to make it cost-effective.
…
“In this research we’ve successfully developed a method that allows air to be converted to ammonia in its gaseous form using electricity. A huge step towards our goals.”
…