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Project: Solar Powered Enzymes for Ammonia Production

Summary:

There is a growing interest in using ammonia as a liquid carrier of hydrogen for energy applications. Currently, ammonia is produced industrially by the Haber‐Bosch process, which requires high temperature and high pressure. In contrast, bacteria have naturally evolved an enzyme known as nitrogenase, that is capable of producing ammonia and hydrogen at ambient temperature and pressure. Therefore, nitrogenases are attractive as a potentially more efficient means to produce ammonia.

In this project we are developing avenues to pave the way for solar powered enzymatic production of NH₃ and H₂. Through the project you will gain experience in electroenzymology and materials science as we seek to ‘industry proof’ nitrogenase. This work fits within CSIRO’s Hydrogen Energy Systems Future Science Platform. For more information: https://research.csiro.au/hydrogenfsp/who-we-are/

Note from Science Internships Office:

This project has been approved for credit. Please note that ANU does not have a formal agreement with CSIRO, and the intern must abide by CSIRO’s terms and conditions.

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Solar Powered Enzymes for Ammonia Production