University of Glasgow develops £20 ultrasound device to produce fertiliser from air and water

PC: University of Glasgow Chemists and engineers have developed a £20 prototype device that uses ultrasound, water and air to produce nitrate, an important nutrient for plant growth. The technology could eventually allow farmers in remote areas to make fertiliser on demand, reducing their reliance on large industrial production facilities. According to a study by University of Glasgow researchers, published in Cell Reports Physical Science titled ‘Towards decentralized nitrogen fixation using pulsed ultrasound’, the process builds on a discovery that was first identified in the 1930s and uses sound waves to convert nitrogen from the air into nitrate.However, the prototype remains at an experimental stage. Although laboratory tests have demonstrated nitrate production, the device currently uses proportionately more energy than the Haber-Bosch process. Researchers also need to determine how effectively the nitrate produced by the device can support plant growth.How the £20 ultrasound device produces nitrate from air and waterThe process begins by bubbling air through deionised water for a few minutes to dissolve nitrogen and oxygen. The researchers then use focused ultrasound waves t...