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

Author
Dr Karl
Published
Sat 23 Aug 2025
Episode Link
https://shirtloadsofscience.libsyn.com/sos-440-pjc-plasmaleap

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

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