All articles tagged with #ammonia
Scientists have detected intriguing radio signals and high levels of water vapor and ammonia from Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks during its 2024 approach, revealing its active nature and potential insights into the early solar system and Earth's habitability.
Scientists used ultrafast X-ray flashes to capture for the first time the movement of a single valence electron during a chemical reaction in an ammonia molecule, providing new insights into electron dynamics that could impact drug design and material science.
Research suggests that penguin guano releases ammonia that promotes cloud formation, which could help cool Antarctica and counteract climate change effects, highlighting a surprising natural climate regulation mechanism.
Researchers at Stanford University and King Fahd University have developed a prototype device that produces ammonia, a key fertilizer ingredient, from air using wind energy. This method could replace the traditional energy-intensive process, significantly reducing carbon emissions. The device operates at room temperature and standard pressure, making it portable and eco-friendly. It could also serve as a clean energy carrier, aiding in decarbonizing industries. The technology is expected to be market-ready in two to three years.
Researchers from the University Alliance Ruhr in Germany have developed a catalyst that allows the simultaneous production of hydrogen and fertilizer precursor nitrite from ammonia, combining two previously separate chemical processes. This innovative approach, which uses gas diffusion electrodes and overcomes significant thermodynamic challenges, could potentially double hydrogen yield and make ammonia a more efficient energy carrier for transport. However, the method is still in the experimental stage and far from industrial application.
Ammonia is a powerful ally in the battle against mildew, thanks to its antimicrobial properties. Its alkaline nature creates an unfavorable environment for mildew growth, disrupting its development and preventing recurrence. Ammonia can penetrate porous surfaces, effectively eliminating both visible signs of mildew and any remaining spores. However, safety is crucial when using ammonia, as its fumes can be strong. Diluting it with water in a well-ventilated area and avoiding mixing it with bleach are essential precautions. Incorporating ammonia into a regular cleaning routine can help prevent mildew from returning.
New radio observations have revealed that Saturn, despite its dull appearance, experiences powerful storms every 20 to 30 years that alter its chemical compositions for years afterward. These storms, similar to Jupiter's Great Red Spot, make lasting changes to Saturn's atmosphere, including the precipitation of ammonia vapor. Scientists are studying the effects of these storms and hope to further understand the differences between disturbances on Saturn and Jupiter. Radio telescopes are proving useful in revealing variations in Saturn's atmosphere not visible in light.
Scientists studying Saturn's mega storms have found evidence that fallout from these storms can last for centuries, challenging current theories of planetary formation. Radio emissions from Saturn's atmosphere revealed that the storms cause ammonia vapor to condense into "ammonia-rich mushballs" that rain down into the planet's depths, affecting its inner atmosphere. The storms, which resemble giant hurricanes, are different from their terrestrial counterparts as they form without the energy supply from a warm surface. The researchers also discovered that Saturn's atmospheric dynamics are substantially different from Jupiter's, with the bands on Saturn being dominated by the giant storms rather than temperature differences. The findings suggest a need to revise current theories of planetary formation.
A new study reveals that Saturn, like Jupiter, experiences long-lasting megastorms that persist for centuries and have deep impacts in the atmosphere. These megastorms occur every 20 to 30 years and are similar to hurricanes on Earth but much larger. The study, conducted by astronomers from the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, used radio emissions to observe disruptions in the distribution of ammonia gas in Saturn's atmosphere. The concentration of ammonia is lower at midaltitudes but becomes enriched at lower altitudes, indicating transport from the upper to the lower atmosphere. The findings challenge current knowledge about megastorm formation on gas giants and may have implications for studying exoplanets in the future.
Researchers at the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science in Japan have discovered a perovskite compound that can safely and easily store ammonia, which is an important carrier of hydrogen. The compound undergoes a chemical reaction with ammonia at room temperature and pressure, allowing for efficient storage and retrieval. This discovery offers a cost-effective and practical solution for storing hydrogen, which is crucial for transitioning to a decarbonized society.
Scientists at the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science in Japan have discovered a compound called ethylammonium lead iodide (EAPbI3) that can safely and efficiently store and release ammonia, a potential carbon-free hydrogen carrier. This finding offers a promising solution for the safe storage and transportation of hydrogen, contributing to the transition towards a decarbonized society. The compound undergoes a chemical reaction with ammonia at room temperature, transforming its structure and storing the ammonia within. The stored ammonia can be easily retrieved by gentle heating, and the perovskite can be reused for continual storage and extraction cycles.
NASA's Juno mission captured an image of green lightning in a powerful vortex near Jupiter's north pole, which was processed by citizen scientist Kevin M. Gill. Lightning on Jupiter is caused by a similar process to Earth's, with gas and water vapor building a charge. Jupiter's thunderstorms may also release ammonia-rich hail into the atmosphere. The collaboration between Juno and Gill is considered unique and successful in engaging citizen scientists.
Ukraine would consider allowing Russian ammonia to transit its territory for export if the Black Sea grain deal is expanded to include more Ukrainian ports and a wider range of commodities. The Black Sea Grain Initiative facilitates "the safe navigation for the export of grain and related foodstuffs and fertilisers, including ammonia" from three Ukrainian ports. Russia has pressed for ammonia supplies to resume through a pipeline from Russia's Togliati to the Black Sea port of Pivdennyi, near Odesa, which is designed to pump up to 2.5 million tonnes of ammonia annually.
Stanford researchers have discovered a new, eco-friendly method of producing ammonia using small droplets of water and nitrogen sourced from the air. The Haber-Bosch process, which has been used for over 100 years to produce ammonia, is extremely energy-intensive and contributes significantly to the release of carbon dioxide. In contrast, the new method requires less specialized circumstances, uses little energy, and is low-cost, potentially allowing for the production of ammonia in a sustainable manner. The researchers plan to explore how to concentrate the produced ammonia and scale up the process to commercially viable levels.