{"id":32390,"date":"2022-10-11T13:59:15","date_gmt":"2022-10-11T17:59:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/textiles.ncsu.edu\/?p=32390"},"modified":"2024-11-04T08:41:16","modified_gmt":"2024-11-04T13:41:16","slug":"new-interdisciplinary-research-collaboration-will-tackle-global-challenges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/textiles.ncsu.edu\/news\/2022\/10\/new-interdisciplinary-research-collaboration-will-tackle-global-challenges\/","title":{"rendered":"New Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration Will Tackle Global Challenges"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Reducing carbon emissions and developing environmentally-friendly paths to fertilizer production are increasingly urgent challenges facing our world. The ability to discover and quickly scale solutions will require innovative partnerships across public and private sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n

A new interdisciplinary research collaboration between North Carolina State University (NC State) and the Technical University of Denmark (Danmarks Tekniske Universitet, DTU) aims to uncover new biology-based methods for CO2<\/sub> management and sustainable fertilizer production.<\/p>\n\n\n

The project, called the Biocatalyst Interactions with Gases (BIG) Collaboration<\/a>, is funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF). Led by NC State, the collaboration team will receive 50 million Danish Kroner (DKK), or approximately $6.5 million in funding over five years.<\/p>\n\n\n

The BIG Collaboration aligns with NNF\u2019s recently launched 2030 strategy<\/a> which focuses on solving global challenges within health and sustainability and supporting a strong life science ecosystem. As part of its sustainability goals, NNF is working to address the pressing question of how to feed a growing global population while developing new technologies to mitigate climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n

\u200b\u200b\u201cThe Novo Nordisk Foundation is very pleased to initiate and support this highly ambitious interdisciplinary project which will grow our understanding of fundamental biological questions,\u201d said NNF Scientific Director Torben V. Borchert. \u201cThe project has strong potential to develop new sustainable processes for the production of essential chemicals, resulting in significant societal benefit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

NNF\u2019s vision also aligns with NC State\u2019s commitment to sustainability. A core value outlined in the university\u2019s strategic plan, environmental stewardship and energy efficiency measures are integrated throughout campus operations, academics and research. Continued improvements are benchmarked<\/a> across climate, energy, water, transportation and more.<\/p>\n\n\n

\u201cTogether with the Novo Nordisk Foundation, NC State is proud to work toward solutions to complex global challenges,\u201d said NC State Chancellor Randy Woodson. \u201cThese discoveries require innovation-driven interdisciplinary partnerships. The BIG Collaboration is a unique opportunity for NC State to make a significant impact on society.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

The BIG Collaboration will be led by Wilson College of Textiles Associate Professor Sonja Salmon<\/a>. Salmon, a two-time graduate of NC State, earned her Ph.D. in fiber and polymer science and bachelor\u2019s degree in textile chemistry. She is a recognized expert on carbon capture science and technology, with more than two decades of industry research experience.<\/p>\n\n\n

\u201cFundamental insights generated by our BIG Collaboration will lead to advanced bio-based solutions,\u201d said Salmon. \u201cWorking closely with our partners at DTU and NNF, this interdisciplinary initiative will help solve global challenges to nourish and sustain our future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

The project team will investigate and create new types of biological catalyst systems that are capable of carrying out fundamental chemical reactions required within two critical research areas: CO2<\/sub> management for greenhouse gas reduction and nitrogen fixation for fertilizer production.<\/p>\n\n\n

Nitrogen, the most abundant gas in Earth\u2019s atmosphere, must be converted to water soluble ammonium salts before most crops can use it as an essential nutrient \u2013\u2013 making this conversion critical for a sustainable food supply. However, converting nitrogen to ammonia by current industrial methods is very energy-intensive.<\/p>\n\n\n

The project team aims to develop new enzyme-based approaches that will lower the energy requirement for ammonia production. Similar approaches \u2013\u2013 using different enzymes \u2013\u2013 will also be investigated to improve the rate at which CO2<\/sub> gas is converted into small water-soluble compounds, like bicarbonate and formate. The goal is for these complementary approaches to help advance technologies that will minimize industrial CO2<\/sub> emissions while creating useful precursors for cement, fuels, chemicals and fertilizer. Studying these life-essential biocatalyzed gas reactions will lead to new innovations that contribute to global sustainability solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n

The BIG Collaboration Science Leadership Team<\/a> brings together 11 co-PIs with research expertise in textiles, biochemistry, enzymology, physics, nuclear engineering, environmental engineering, chemical and biomolecular engineering, plant and microbial biology, agricultural engineering, and materials sciences.<\/p>\n\n\n

The BIG Collaboration Science Leadership Team<\/h3>\n\n\n