Quantum-Engineered Fertilizers
Harnessing Quantum Power to Replicate Nature’s Nitrogen Fixation
- Built To Order
- Production Ready
Ammonia is best known as a fertilizer essential for global food production. However, it also holds promise as a potential clean fuel—making it a pivotal compound for decarbonization. Today, industrial ammonia synthesis relies on the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process, which consumes natural gas and contributes significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions.
Nature, on the other hand, performs this same task effortlessly. Anaerobic bacteria in the root nodules of legumes fix nitrogen under ambient conditions using an enzyme called nitrogenase.
- The Haber-Bosch process consumes approximately 2–3% of global energy.
- Ammonia synthesis alone accounts for ~0.8% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
- The widespread use of nitrogen fertilizers also releases N₂O, CO₂, and CH₄—three of the most potent greenhouse gases.
- Replacing fossil-fuel-based ammonia production with sustainable methods is crucial for food security and climate change mitigation.
The key to unlocking clean ammonia synthesis lies in understanding the nitrogenase enzyme—specifically, the MoFe protein and the FeMo-cofactor (FeMoco) that catalyzes nitrogen fixation under ambient conditions.
Using Automatski’s 300+ Qubit Quantum Simulator, we can:
- Perform ab-initio quantum simulations of nitrogenase activity.
- Model the entire reaction pathway of N₂ → NH₃ at atomic precision.
- Reveal the hidden electronic dynamics governing this complex biochemical system.
- Engineer synthetic catalysts that mimic or improve upon nature’s efficiency.
This quantum-powered approach enables the design and development of next-generation, clean fertilizer solutions—without the carbon footprint.