I-Corps: Sustainable Biostimulants and Fertilizers

I-Corps项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力是开发等离子体反应器，促进利用可再生能源和电网电力生产可持续肥料和各种增值化学品。拟议的环保方法有可能减少与传统肥料生产相关的二氧化碳排放，并减缓气候变化。 此外，拟议的技术是可扩展的，这可能使小规模农场，包括那些在贫困社区，生产自己的肥料，稳定养分价格和供应，同时最大限度地减少运输对环境的影响。该项目的商业影响超出了化肥生产，因为该技术可用于为不同行业生产各种有价值的化学品。该I-Corps项目基于开发等离子体反应器，该反应器使用气体、水和可再生电力作为输入，产生各种化学品，如硝酸盐、氢气和一氧化碳。 拟议中的核心技术，被称为等离子体重整，采用低温等离子体作为化学转化的催化剂，专注于将空气和水转化为高度液态的肥料。该技术设计为直接固氮的一步法，无需二次工艺阶段。它可以间歇运行，远程控制，其模块化设计支持从千瓦到兆瓦的电力负载的可扩展性。提出的等离子体反应器技术适用于小规模和大规模生产，随着化学品需求和电力负荷的增加，可以轻松扩展。 该等离子体反应器还可用于产生其他化学品，如氢气、甲醇和氨，这些化学品广泛用于工业和商业应用。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this I-Corps project is the development of a plasma reactor that facilitates the production of sustainable fertilizers and various value-added chemicals using renewable and grid electricity. The proposed environmentally conscious approach has the potential to decrease CO2 emissions linked to traditional fertilizer production, and mitigate climate change. In addition, the proposed technology is scalable, which may allow small-scale farms, including those in disadvantaged communities, to produce their own fertilizer, stabilizing nutrient prices and supply while minimizing the environmental impact of transportation. The commercial impact of this project extends beyond fertilizer production, as the technology may be harnessed to generate a wide range of valuable chemicals for different industries.This I-Corps project is based on the development of a plasma reactor that uses gases, water, and renewable electricity as inputs to generate various chemicals such as nitrates, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide. The proposed core technology, referred to as plasma reforming, employs low-temperature plasmas as catalysts for chemical transformations, concentrating on converting air and water into highly liquid fertilizers. Designed as a one-step process for direct nitrogen fixation, the technology eliminates the need for secondary process stages. It may operate intermittently, be controlled remotely, and its modular design supports scalability from kilowatt to megawatt power loads. The proposed plasma reactor technology is suitable for both small-scale and large-scale production, permitting easy expansion as demand for chemicals and electrical load increases. The plasma reactor may also be used to generate other chemicals such as hydrogen, methanol, and ammonia, which are used in a wide range of industrial and commercial applications.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.