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Summary:
• Ammonia is being explored as a clean, energy-rich fuel that is easier to store and transport than hydrogen
• A new technology developed by startup Amogy makes converting ammonia to power much more efficient and safer
• This breakthrough could help reduce carbon emissions from heavy industries like shipping, trucking, and power generation
Ammonia as a Cleaner Fuel,What’s the Big Idea : When you think of fuels for the future, ammonia might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But this simple chemical, made of nitrogen and hydrogen, is getting a lot of attention as a possible clean energy source. Unlike traditional fuels like oil or gas, ammonia does not contain carbon, so it doesn’t release carbon dioxide (CO2) when used as a fuel. It also packs a lot of energy into a small space and is already produced and transported in large quantities around the world.
However, there are challenges. Burning ammonia in engines can create harmful gases called nitrous oxides, which are bad for air quality and health. Also, turning ammonia into hydrogen fuel—a process called “cracking”—usually needs a lot of energy and special equipment.
A New Approach, Amogy’s Breakthrough : A startup called Amogy, founded by four MIT graduates, believes it has found a solution. They have developed a new kind of catalyst—a material that speeds up chemical reactions—that can split ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen much more efficiently than before. Their catalyst can do this up to 70 percent better than current technologies, which means less energy is wasted.
Instead of burning ammonia, Amogy’s systems use these catalysts to break it down and then use the hydrogen to generate electricity in fuel cells or engines. This process avoids the harmful nitrous oxides that come from burning. The company has already shown their technology works by powering a drone, a tractor, a truck, and even a tugboat with ammonia.
Why Does This Matter: Heavy industries like shipping, trucking, mining, and construction need a lot of energy, and batteries alone often can’t provide enough power for these big machines over long distances. Hydrogen is a promising alternative, but it is difficult to store and move because it needs to be kept extremely cold. Ammonia, on the other hand, can be stored as a liquid at room temperature, making it much easier to handle.
By making it easier and safer to use ammonia as a fuel, Amogy’s technology could help these industries cut their carbon emissions. The company is working with big partners like Samsung and Hyundai and has plans to launch larger projects, including a pilot power plant in South Korea.
Looking Ahead: Amogy’s founders believe this is just the beginning. They are aiming to make ammonia a practical fuel for many uses, from powering ships and trucks to generating electricity for factories and even small communities. If successful, this could be a major step toward a cleaner energy future, especially for industries that are hard to electrify.
This article is based on reporting from MIT News, which featured the work of Amogy and its founders: CEO Seonghoon Woo, Hyunho Kim, Jongwon Choi, and Young Suk Jo.
