Photocatalysis in agriculture to improve air quality and support sustainable agriculture

根据联合国的数据，到2050年，全球人口预计将从目前的约75亿增加到超过97亿。这种人口增长需要向更高效、更环保和更可持续的现代农业转变。然而，合成氮肥的使用已经导致了包括氨在内的污染。18%的农业氨排放来自无机肥料的应用，固体尿素化肥排放的氨比任何其他无机肥料都要大，占英国氨排放的8%，这在英国和世界范围内都构成了一个严重的环境问题。氮污染的影响包括导致全球变暖和其他不利影响。氨、氮氧化物和二氧化硫之间的反应会导致二次颗粒物的形成，这对农村和城市地区的人类健康都有重大影响。我们的项目是一项创新的可行性研究，重点是利用可见光下工作的光催化来应对农业部门与氨排放相关的环境挑战。氮肥应用中排放的氨会造成空气污染和环境恶化，影响人类健康和生态系统。通过前沿研究和开发，该项目旨在开发一种解决方案，有效地从大气中去除氨并减少颗粒物(PM)的形成。通过设计定制的配方和应用方法，我们的项目旨在捕获和减少氨排放，从而将其对空气质量的负面影响降至最低。此外，该项目有可能提供改善空气质量和促进可持续农业做法的综合解决方案。我们的团队由Apostolos Papadooulos博士领导，结合了农业技术、可持续技术和化学工程方面的专业知识。我们将进行全面的实验室实验和可行性评估，以确保该技术的技术可行性和商业潜力。

The global population is projected to rise from around 7.5 billion currently to over 9.7 billion by 2050, according to the United Nations. This population growth necessitates a shift towards modern agriculture that is more efficient, eco-friendly, and sustainable. However, the use of synthetic nitrogen fertilisers has resulted in pollution including ammonia. 18% of agriculture-derived ammonia emissions are from inorganic fertiliser applications and solid urea fertilisers release greater ammonia emissions than any other inorganic fertilisers, contributing 8% of the UK's ammonia emissions, which poses a substantial environmental problem both in the UK and worldwide. The impacts of nitrogen pollution include contributions to global warming and other adverse effects.The reaction between ammonia, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide leads to the formation of secondary particulate matter, which has a significant impact on human health in both rural and urban areas.Our project is an innovative feasibility study focused on addressing the environmental challenges associated with ammonia emissions in the agricultural sector by using photocatalysis that works under visible light. Ammonia emissions from nitrogen fertiliser applications contribute to air pollution and environmental degradation, impacting both human health and the ecosystem.Through cutting-edge research and development, this project aims to develop a solution that effectively removes ammonia from the atmosphere and reduces the formation of particulate matter (PM). By designing a bespoke formulation and application method, our project aims to capture and mitigate ammonia emissions, thereby minimizing its negative impact on air quality. .Furthermore, this project has the potential to provide an integrated solution that improves air quality and promotes sustainable agricultural practices. Our team, led by Dr. Apostolos Papadopoulos, combines expertise in ag-tech, sustainable technologies, and chemical engineering. We will conduct comprehensive laboratory experiments and feasibility assessments to ensure the technical viability and commercial potential of the the technology.