Starting September of 2023, I have been assisting with a project on water remediation via electrolysis of nitrates, causing formation of either N2 or Ammonia, both of which can be more easily separated from water. We are working on a way to control how much of each product is formed so that more N2 is produced, which is a harmless gas that already takes up ~78% of the atmosphere. However, ammonia is also a useful resource with a highly carbonized industry, so this electrolysis can help with relatively carbon-free and affordable ammonia formation.

Another goal of this project is to complete this electrolysis with electrodes comprised of metals that are more affordable than platinum and other rare earth metals commonly used in these types of experiments.

Theoretically, the outcome of this project would then be an affordable and ethically sources means of water pollution remediation without waste or harmful byproduct generation.