"Interdisciplinary Team Partners for Addressing International Issues"

"Interdisciplinary Team Partners for Addressing International Issues"

Tackling Carbon Emissions and Sustainable Fertilizer Production with the BIG Collaboration

In an ambitious attempt to combat the pressing issues of climate change and food security, North Carolina State University (NC State) and the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) have teamed up for an exciting research collaboration. Dubbed the Biocatalyst Interactions with Gases (BIG) Collaboration, this interdisciplinary alliance is set to revolutionize carbon management and sustainable fertilizer production.

Funded generously by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the BIG Collaboration will receive an impressive 50 million Danish Kroner (DKK), roughly equivalent to $6.5 million, over five years. This sizable investment reflects the urgency of addressing global challenges such as climate change and the growing need for sustainable technologies.

The BIG Collaboration is in perfect alignment with the Novo Nordisk Foundation's recently launched 2030 strategy, which aims to tackle global challenges in health and sustainability while fostering a robust life science ecosystem. With a keen focus on addressing the question of how to feed a burgeoning population while mitigating climate change, the Foundation is channeling resources into groundbreaking projects like the BIG Collaboration.

Torben V. Borchert, Scientific Director of the Novo Nordisk Foundation, expressed his excitement about the initiative: "We are extremely thrilled to initiate and support this highly ambitions interdisciplinary project. The project holds immense potential to grow our understanding of fundamental biological questions, leading to significant societal benefit."

NC State Chancellor Randy Woodson echoed the of the foundation, proudly stating, "Together with the Novo Nordisk Foundation, NC State is honored to work towards solutions to complex global challenges. These discoveries necessitate innovation-driven interdisciplinary partnerships, and the BIG Collaboration presents a unique opportunity for NC State to make a profound impact on society."

The BIG Collaboration will be headed by Associate Professor Sonja Salmon of NC State's Wilson College of Textiles. A two-time NC State alumna, Salmon holds a Ph.D. in fiber and polymer science and a bachelor's degree in textile chemistry. Recognized for her expertise in carbon capture science and technology, Salmon is eager to push the boundaries of sustainable research.

Salmon shared her optimism for the project, stating, "The insights we generate through our BIG Collaboration will lead to advanced bio-based solutions, aiding in the resolution of global challenges that ensure nourishment and sustainability for future generations."

The project team will delve into creating new biological catalyst systems capable of fundamental chemical reactions essential for two critical research areas: carbon management for greenhouse gas reduction and nitrogen fixation for fertilizer production.

Nitrogen, the most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere, must be converted into water-soluble ammonium salts for most crops to use it as an essential nutrient. The conversion process, however, is currently very energy-intensive. The team aims to develop enzyme-based approaches to lower the energy requirement for ammonia production, paving the way for a more sustainable food supply.

Similar approaches will also be explored to speed up the conversion of CO gas into small water-soluble compounds like bicarbonate and formate. These complementary strategies will help advance technologies that minimize industrial CO emissions while creating useful precursors for cement, fuels, chemicals, and fertilizer.

The BIG Collaboration will be guided by a Science Leadership Team composed of 11 co-PIs from various academic disciplines, including textiles, biochemistry, enzymology, physics, nuclear engineering, environmental engineering, chemical and biomolecular engineering, plant and microbial biology, agricultural engineering, and materials sciences.

The collaboration between NC State and DTU is exemplary of the innovative partnerships required to discover and rapidly scale solutions to critical global challenges. By pooling their expertise, these institutions hope to contribute to a greener and more sustainable future for all.

1. The BIG Collaboration, a research initiative between North Carolina State University (NC State) and the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), aims to revolutionize carbon management and sustainable fertilizer production.
2. The project is funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, which has allocated a significant 50 million Danish Kroner (DKK) over five years to address global challenges such as climate change and the need for sustainable technologies.
3. Guided by the Novo Nordisk Foundation's 2030 strategy, the BIG Collaboration focuses on addressing the question of how to feed a burgeoning population while mitigating climate change.
4. Associate Professor Sonja Salmon of NC State's Wilson College of Textiles will head the BIG Collaboration, utilizing her expertise in carbon capture science and technology to push the boundaries of sustainable research.
5. Salmon believes the insights generated through the BIG Collaboration will lead to advanced bio-based solutions, aiding in the resolution of global challenges that ensure nourishment and sustainability for future generations.
6. The BIG Collaboration team will focus on creating new biological catalyst systems capable of fundamental chemical reactions essential for carbon management and nitrogen fixation.
7. The aim is to lower the energy required for ammonia production through enzyme-based approaches, paving the way for a more sustainable food supply, and speed up the conversion of CO gas into water-soluble compounds for various industrial uses.
8. A Science Leadership Team composed of 11 co-PIs from various academic disciplines, including textiles, biochemistry, enzymology, physics, nuclear engineering, environmental engineering, chemical and biomolecular engineering, plant and microbial biology, agricultural engineering, and materials sciences, will guide the BIG Collaboration.
9. The collaboration between NC State and DTU serves as an example of the innovative partnerships necessary to discover and rapidly scale solutions to critical global challenges, contributing to a greener and more sustainable future for all.

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