Australian scientists used human-made lightning to produce ammonia from thin air and it could reshape how the world grows food

Inside a small silver box in a Sydney laboratory, researchers found a way to make lightning work as a chemical factory.

The target: ammonia. It is a fundamental molecule. Fertilizers made from it help feed nearly half the world’s population. For over 100 years, making it required one method. That method came with a massive carbon footprint and a total dependence on fossil fuels. Now, a team at the University of Sydney may have found a way around all three problems.

Why ammonia matters more than most people realize

Most people think of ammonia as a simple cleaning spray. The reality is much bigger. Ammonia is the main ingredient in synthetic fertilizers. These fertilizers support nearly half of global food production. Without it, the math on feeding over 8 billion people simply fails.

But if this technology succeeds, we may soon feed the world using the exact same phenomenon that powers lightning strikes in the night sky.

Its importance is not new. Before industrial production existed, naturally occurring ammonia was rare. It was found mostly in bird droppings, known as guano. It was so valuable that nations went to war over it. In 1879, the War of the Pacific was fought largely over these rich coastal deposits in South America. The stakes were that high.

Today, ammonia’s role extends far beyond farming. Each molecule holds three hydrogen atoms. This makes it an ideal storage medium for hydrogen energy. The shipping industry produces about 3% of global greenhouse gases. Today, cargo ships burn heavy fuel oil while traveling thousands of miles across oceans. Many shipping companies are now exploring ammonia as a clean alternative, according to the University of Sydney.

The century-old process with a massive carbon problem

Nearly 80% of global ammonia comes from the Haber-Bosch process. Developed in the early 20th century, it combines nitrogen and hydrogen gas under extreme heat and intense pressure. When it debuted, it was a total revolution. At scale, it still is.

However, it carries a heavy cost. The process accounts for nearly 2% of total global carbon emissions.

The hydrogen used in Haber-Bosch comes from fossil fuels. It mostly comes from natural gas. This bakes a massive carbon footprint into every ton produced. The process also requires giant, centralized plants. These plants must sit near cheap natural gas to stay profitable.

Once made, the ammonia travels vast distances. It travels thousands of miles by train, truck, and ship to reach farms. That adds high costs and extra emissions to an already heavy system.

For a decade, researchers have searched for a decentralized alternative. They call it “green ammonia.” The goal is local production powered by clean electricity.

Lightning in a box: How the new method works

Professor PJ Cullen leads the Sydney team. They have worked on green ammonia for six years. Their method mimics nature during thunderstorms. It uses electricity to split molecules in the air.

First, electricity hits normal air to create plasma. This mini-lightning makes nitrogen and oxygen bonds highly reactive.

Next, these excited molecules flow into a membrane electrolyzer. This is the compact silver box in their lab. Inside, the molecules convert directly into ammonia gas.

That detail is huge. Previous lab methods produced liquid ammonium. Converting liquid back into usable gas takes extra energy. The Sydney method skips that step entirely. Clean electricity powers the whole setup with zero fossil fuels.

What makes this breakthrough different—and what still needs work

This approach creates a direct path to ammonia gas. Fewer steps mean less wasted energy.

The team proved their plasma method is energy-efficient and scalable. That is a massive hurdle. Plasma can be tricky to control in a lab.

However, the electrolyzer still needs work. Professor Cullen admits the method cannot yet compete with Haber-Bosch on overall efficiency. Closing that gap is their main goal. Their study appeared in Angewandte Chemie International Edition, proving the science holds up under peer review.

Beyond fertilizer: Ammonia as a fuel of the future

Clean ammonia could change more than farming. Transporting pure hydrogen gas is tough and expensive. Ammonia makes storing and moving hydrogen much easier. Facilities can simply “crack” the ammonia to release pure hydrogen fuel when needed.

For ocean cargo ships traveling thousands of miles, green ammonia offers a practical path to zero emissions.

Local production also builds energy independence. Small nations could make their own fertilizer and fuel. They would no longer depend on complex global supply chains.

The team must still boost efficiency and scale up the machinery. But if this technology succeeds, we may soon feed the world using the exact same phenomenon that powers lightning strikes in the night sky.

Kelly Lippke

Kelly is an experienced writer with 15 years of experience exploring the big stories that shape our world, from tech breakthroughs and space exploration to climate, energy, and the fascinating quirks of science. She has a talent for turning complex ideas into sharp, memorable insights that stay with readers long after they’ve finished reading.