Lightning, Fertiliser, and the Future of Green Nitrogen with Professor PJ Cullen (440) episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 23, 2025 · 29 MIN

Lightning, Fertiliser, and the Future of Green Nitrogen with Professor PJ Cullen (440)

from Shirtloads of Science · host Dr Karl

In this episode, Professor PJ Cullen, Chemical Engineering expert from the University of Sydney, breaks down the global nitrogen challenge. We explore why nitrogen is essential for life, the history of fertiliser - from the Guano Wars to the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process - and how today's nitrogen production is harming the planet. Cullen introduces PlasmaLeap, his startup using non-thermal plasma to mimic lightning and fix nitrogen sustainably. We also dive into the risks of nitrogen storage, the 2020 Beirut explosion, and the urgent need to electrify chemical industries.  https://www.plasmaleap.com/ Linkedin: PJ Cullen

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Aug 23, 2025

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Lightning, Fertiliser, and the Future of Green Nitrogen with Professor PJ Cullen (440)

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