Aug 23, 2025
In this episode, Professor PJ Cullen, Chemical Engineering
expert from the University of Sydney, breaks down the global
nitrogen challenge. We explore why nitrogen is essential for life,
the history of fertiliser – from the Guano Wars to the
energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process – and how today’s nitrogen
production is harming the planet. Cullen introduces PlasmaLeap, his
startup using non-thermal plasma to mimic lightning and fix
nitrogen sustainably. We also dive into the risks of nitrogen
storage, the 2020 Beirut explosion, and the urgent need to
electrify chemical industries.
https://www.plasmaleap.com/
Linkedin: PJ Cullen
