New plasma device turns air into ammonia, ends the need for fossil fuels

Image: Membrane-based electrolyzer used in green ammonia production. Image credit: PJ Cullen / The University of Sydney. Article by Aamir Khollam. Interesting Engineering – July 4, 2025. Research article: Angewandte Chemie International Edition.

Researchers at the University of Sydney have developed a groundbreaking way to produce ammonia using electricity and artificial lightning. The innovation offers a cleaner, decentralized alternative to the Haber-Bosch process, which dominates global ammonia production but leaves a massive carbon footprint. Ammonia, a key ingredient in fertilizers, supports nearly half of global food production. Traditionally, its production requires high heat, high pressure, and fossil fuels, making it one of the most emissions-intensive chemical processes in the world. […]

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