Sustainability

Our aim is to address the connected challenges of how to increase food production in a less impactful way on the climate through plasma based solutions.

About the Research Area

Sustainability is one of the greatest challenges we face in the present and future. It’s becoming increasingly important to find new ways to use our resources more efficiently. We can tackle these challenges head-on and unlock a range of potential solutions by harnessing the power of plasma. NCPST researchers are working on developing technologies and solutions that can provide nearly limitless sources of carbon-free electricity, create new materials, and produce chemicals in a more environmentally friendly manner. One area where plasma technology could have a significant impact is in agriculture, where the need to increase food production while minimising environmental impact is critical. Traditionally, nitrogen-based fertilisers have been used to boost crop yields, but they come with significant environmental challenges. Plasma technology offers an alternative solution by mimicking the natural process of atmospheric nitrogen fixation. By producing human-made plasmas, we can convert atmospheric nitrogen, oxygen, and water into nitrates and ammonia, providing a more sustainable source of nitrogen for crops.

Research Projects

Sustainability Publications

Filters
Reset

Biogas produced by anaerobic digestion process and biodiesel from date seeds. Alrefai, A.M; Alrefai, R; Benyounis, K.Y; Stokes, J. Energies 2021

Modelling and optimisation of the biogas yield after hybrid alkaline-ultrasonic pre-treatment in the early stages of anaerobic digestion of pot ale to shorten the processing time. Gunes, B; Stokes, J; Davis, P; Connolly, C; Lawler, J. Process Safety and Environmental Protection 2021

Optimisation and modelling of anaerobic digestion of whiskey distillery/brewery wastes after combined chemical and mechanical pre-treatment. Gunes, B; Carrié, M; Benyounis, K; Stokes, J; Davis, P; Connolly, C; Lawler, J. Processes 2020

An evaluation of the effects of the potato starch on the biogas produced from the anaerobic digestion of potato wastes. Alrefai, R; Alrefai, A.M; Benyounis, K.Y; Stokes, J. Energies 2020

Impact of starch from cassava peel on biogas produced through the anaerobic digestion process. Alrefai, A.M; Alrefai, R; Benyounis, K.Y; Stokes, J. Energies 2020

Enhancing the economic viability of anaerobic digestion by exploiting the whole biomass of mango waste and its residues after digestion. Alrefai, R; Alrefai, A.M; Benyounis, K.Y; Stokes, J. Energies 2020

Improved determination of femtogram-level organic explosives in multiple matrices using dual-sorbent solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography-high resolution accurate mass spectrometry. Irlam, R.C; Parkin, M.C; Brabazon, D.P; Beardah, M.S; O’Donnell, M; Barron, L.P. Talanta 2019

Pre-treatments to enhance biogas yield and quality from anaerobic digestion of whiskey distillery and brewery wastes: A review. Gunes, B; Stokes, J; Davis, P; Connolly, C; Lawler, J. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 2019

Influence of mechanical pretreatment and organic concentration of Irish brown seaweed for methane production. Montingelli, M.E; Benyounis, K.Y; Quilty, B; Stokes, J; Olabi, A.G. Energy 2017

Valorisation to biogas of macroalgal waste streams: A circular approach to bioproducts and bioenergy in Ireland. Tedesco, S; Stokes, J. Chemical Papers 2017

Effects of alkaline and beating pretreatment on anaerobic digestion of distillery co-products. Gunes, B; Benyounis, K; Stokes, J; Davis, P; Connolly, C; Lawler, J. European Biomass Conference and Exhibition Proceedings 2017

Pretreatment of macroalgal biomass for biogas production. Montingelli, M.E; Benyounis, K; Stokes, J; Olabi, A.G. Energy Conversion and Management 2016

Optimisation of biogas production from the macroalgae Laminaria sp. at different periods of harvesting in Ireland. Montingelli, M.E; Benyounis, K.Y; Quilty, B; Stokes, J; Olabi, A.G. Applied Energy 2016

Demonstrating the potential of industrial scale in-package atmospheric cold plasma for decontamination of cherry tomatoes. Ziuzina, D; Misra, N.N; Cullen, P.J; Keener, K; Mosnier, J.P; Vilaró, I; Gaston, E; Bourke, P. Plasma Medicine 2016

Underlying factors to consider in improving energy yield from biomass source through yeast use on high-pressure homogenizer (hph). Ekpeni, L.E.N; Benyounis, K.Y; Nkem-Ekpeni, F.F; Stokes, J; Olabi, A.G. Energy 2015

Erratum: In-package atmospheric pressure cold plasma treatment of strawberries (Journal of Food Engineering (2014) 125 (131-138)). Misra, N.N; Patil, S; Moiseev, T; Bourke, P; Mosnier, J.P; Keener, K.M; Cullen, P.J. Journal of Food Engineering 2015

Effects of atmospheric air plasma treatment of graphite and carbon felt electrodes on the anodic current from Shewanella attached cells. Epifanio, M; Inguva, S; Kitching, M; Mosnier, J.-P; Marsili, E. Bioelectrochemistry 2015

Yeast: A potential biomass substrate for the production of cleaner energy (Biogas). Ekpeni, L.E.N; Nkem-Ekpeni, F.F; Benyounis, K.Y; Aboderheeba, A.K.M; Stokes, J; Olabi, A.G. Energy Procedia 2014

Cold Plasma in Modified Atmospheres for Post-harvest Treatment of Strawberries. Misra, N.N; Moiseev, T; Patil, S; Pankaj, S.K; Bourke, P; Mosnier, J.P; Keener, K.M; Cullen, P.J. Food and Bioprocess Technology 2014

Influence of high voltage atmospheric cold plasma process parameters and role of relative humidity on inactivation of Bacillus atrophaeus spores inside a sealed package. Patil, S; Moiseev, T; Misra, N.N; Cullen, P.J; Mosnier, J.P; Keener, K.M; Bourke, P. Journal of Hospital Infection 2014