Federal Project Grant Award Summary

Iowa State University of Science and Technology received a $591,500 project grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program (CFDA 10.310), awarded February 15, 2026, with a completion date of February 14, 2029. The grant funds research and development of a Paired Solid-Electrolyte Reactor (PSER) technology designed to capture carbon dioxide emissions from biofuel production and convert them into high-purity agrochemicals, specifically formic acid and acetic acid (carboxylic acids). The research will integrate green ammonia-based CO2 capture with electrocatalytic conversion processes utilizing earth-abundant catalysts, with performance of work conducted at the university's facilities in Ames, Iowa.

The research deliverables include development of an efficient CO2 absorption method using ammonia water solution, investigation of electrocatalytic reduction of captured CO2 to produce formic acid, study of electrocatalytic ethanol oxidation to produce acetic acid, design of innovative PSER systems, and completion of a life cycle assessment and technoeconomic analysis. Upon successful completion, the project will advance AFRI's bioprocessing and bioengineering objectives by demonstrating improved production efficiency of bio-based products and expanded utilization of agricultural waste and byproducts, thereby supporting the agricultural economy and promotion of American agricultural technology.