Designing New Fertilisers

The production of fertilisers (especially nitrogen-based ones) relies on energy-intensive processes and catalysts that are difficult and slow to improve with classical simulation and trial-and-error.

Quantum computing could be used to simulate possible chemical catalysts (homogeneous catalysts) that might allow nitrogen fixation (or similar key reactions for fertiliser synthesis) under milder, more efficient conditions.

This could enable the discovery of new catalysts that lower the energy usage and environmental footprint of fertiliser production, leading to cheaper, greener fertilisers and more sustainable agriculture.