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This image compares two processes for producing ammonia (NH₃). Current Process: The Haber-Bosch process is depicted in the top section. It shows the combination of nitrogen (N₂) and methane (CH₄) to form ammonia. This process generates significant carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, around 450 million tonnes per year. The ammonia is then transported to its destination. Proposed Process: The lower section illustrates a greener alternative. Fertilizer runoff from plants, represented as nitrate (NO₃⁻) pollution, is captured from water. Renewable electricity, from solar power, drives an electrocatalytic process to convert nitrate into ammonia (NH₃) or other useful or harmless products like hydroxylamine (NH₂OH) and nitrogen gas (N₂), with the potential to recycle ammonia for further use as fertilizer. This closed-loop system minimizes pollution and reduces CO₂ emissions. The figure highlights the shift from a CO₂-intensive method to an environmentally sustainable, renewable process.

Michigan Chemical Engineering leads collaborative effort to address global nitrate pollution

The research led by Bryan Goldsmith and Nirala Singh will develop a low-cost system for nitrate capture and conversion to improve water treatment for resource-limited communities and industries.

By:

Taylor Shaffer

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded a $1.75 million grant to a research team led by Bryan Goldsmith, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Michigan, and Co-Principal Investigator Nirala Singh, also from Michigan’s Chemical Engineering department, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Iowa and the University of Texas at Austin. This grant, provided through the NSF’s Environmental Chemical Sciences Program (ECO-CBET), will support a research initiative to tackle the global issue of nitrate pollution. 

The project brings together experts in chemical engineering, water treatment, and sustainability to develop a cost-effective system for nitrate capture and conversion, with a focus on benefiting resource-limited communities and industries.

“I am grateful to the NSF ECO-CBET program for supporting this collaborative research, which would otherwise not be possible,” Goldsmith said. “If successful, this research will empower resource-limited communities and industries to better address their nitrate water treatment needs.”

Excess nitrate from agricultural, farming and industrial processes is a leading cause of groundwater contamination worldwide. Nitrate pollution poses a significant risk to both human health and ecosystems, and its removal from water systems is an immense technical challenge, especially at low concentrations. The team’s research will develop a novel, renewable-energy-powered device that not only captures nitrate from waste streams but also converts it into nitrogen and valuable chemicals such as ammonia.

This image compares two processes for producing ammonia (NH₃). Current Process: The Haber-Bosch process is depicted in the top section. It shows the combination of nitrogen (N₂) and methane (CH₄) to form ammonia. This process generates significant carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, around 450 million tonnes per year. The ammonia is then transported to its destination. Proposed Process: The lower section illustrates a greener alternative. Fertilizer runoff from plants, represented as nitrate (NO₃⁻) pollution, is captured from water. Renewable electricity, from solar power, drives an electrocatalytic process to convert nitrate into ammonia (NH₃) or other useful or harmless products like hydroxylamine (NH₂OH) and nitrogen gas (N₂), with the potential to recycle ammonia for further use as fertilizer. This closed-loop system minimizes pollution and reduces CO₂ emissions. The figure highlights the shift from a CO₂-intensive method to an environmentally sustainable, renewable process.
Fig. 1. Currently N2 is fixed by Haber-Bosch to form NH3 for fertilizer. This research aims to develop an adoptable solar-powered nitrate capture and electrocatalytic conversion technology to transform nitrate to valuable NH3/NH4+.

An interdisciplinary approach to nitrate treatment
The project aims to integrate two complementary technologies—photocapacitive concentration and electrocatalytic conversion—to create an efficient, low-cost nitrate treatment platform. Photocapacitive concentration uses light energy to extract nitrate from water, while electrocatalytic conversion transforms it into safer and more useful substances. This dual approach will provide insights into the chemical, physical and catalytic processes involved in nitrate management. It also aims to overcome socioeconomic barriers to the adoption of nitrogen management technologies in industries and resource-limited communities.

This project is organized around four key research thrusts. The first focuses on the discovery and design of photocapacitive systems to capture and concentrate nitrate. The second thrust involves the development of durable, low-cost electrocatalysts made from earth-abundant materials that can efficiently convert nitrate into nitrogen or ammonia. The third area of research emphasizes physics-based modeling and experimental testing to optimize the transport processes within the nitrate treatment system. Finally, the fourth thrust is dedicated to conducting technoeconomic and life cycle analyses to assess the sustainability and scalability of the system for real-world applications.

Cross-institutional collaboration and educational impact
This multi-institutional collaboration brings together a diverse set of experts from the University of Iowa and the University of Texas at Austin. At Iowa, David Cwiertny and Syed Mubeen will focus on topics such as system design and water quality assessment, while at Texas, Charles Werth and David Eaton will contribute expertise in environmental engineering, policy, and techno-economic analysis.

In addition to research, the grant will provide interdisciplinary technical training for graduate and undergraduate students at all three universities, fostering the next generation of scientists and engineers in sustainable water treatment technologies. Planned outreach activities include engaging water treatment professionals and communities in Iowa and Texas to address nitrate pollution, as well as broadening participation in STEM through summer undergraduate research exchange programs aimed at underrepresented groups.

By the project’s conclusion, the team hopes to create a platform that not only advances knowledge on nitrate treatment but also offers a sustainable, scalable solution for addressing nitrate contamination—a critical step towards ensuring clean water for all. 

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