Tokyo Research's Project Turns Space Urine into Plant Fertilizer
Self-sufficient space travel is "an important step toward figuring out our space station future." Scientists from Tokyo University of Science have conducted research and developed a way to convert human urine into ammonia fertilizer for growing food." The team was led by Norihiro Suzuki and all findings are published in the form of a letter in the New Journal of Chemistry.
The big idea rests on the fact that nitrogen-rich animal waste is one of the most successful, and eco-conscious, types of fertilizer. The research team has been working on producing ammonia (nitrogen + oxygen) derived from urine. "This process is of interest from the perspective of making a useful product," asserts Suzuki, "i.e., ammonia, from a waste product, i.e., urine, using common equipment at atmospheric pressure and room temperature."
Image Credit: Robert Kneschke/William W. Potter/Adobe Stock/Big Think
The big idea rests on the fact that nitrogen-rich animal waste is one of the most successful, and eco-conscious, types of fertilizer. The research team has been working on producing ammonia (nitrogen + oxygen) derived from urine. "This process is of interest from the perspective of making a useful product," asserts Suzuki, "i.e., ammonia, from a waste product, i.e., urine, using common equipment at atmospheric pressure and room temperature."
Image Credit: Robert Kneschke/William W. Potter/Adobe Stock/Big Think
Trend Themes
1. Self-sufficient Space Travel - Converting human waste into plant fertilizer for space travel can revolutionize the way we approach food production in zero-gravity environments.
2. Eco-friendly Fertilizers - Developing ammonia fertilizer from waste products can revolutionize the agriculture industry by reducing waste and promoting sustainability.
3. Alternative Resource Utilization - Efficiently utilizing waste products like human urine can transform industries and lead to sustainable innovations.
Industry Implications
1. Space Exploration Industry - By creating self-sufficient space travel, this technology can significantly reduce costs and increase efficiency in manned missions and space exploration.
2. Agriculture Industry - The use of ammonia fertilizer from waste products can lead to eco-friendly and sustainable agricultural practices, reducing environmental impact and promoting resource efficiency.
3. Waste Management and Recycling Industry - Efficiently utilizing waste products like human urine can create opportunities for innovative waste management and recycling practices.
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