How can Metal-Organic Frameworks help solve the nitrogen crisis?
Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are an emerging class of materials attracting worldwide attention for their potential to tackle major sustainability challenges. In this edition of SustainaLab Talks, we explore how MOFs could contribute to understanding and addressing the nitrogen crisis.
MOFs can be tailored to respond to very low concentrations of molecules, enabling highly sensitive air quality monitoring, including applications relevant for agriculture and nitrogen emissions.
These sensing capabilities open up new avenues for tracking nitrogen compounds in real time, on farms and in surrounding environments. Could MOF-based sensing instruments support smarter adaptive policy, more precise farming and more effective mitigation strategies in the nitrogen crisis?
During this event, we will place these developments into a broader context and bring together perspectives from science, policy and public health, the sensor industry and farming practice.
Together, we will discuss questions such as:
- What could MOF-based sensors measure that current technologies cannot (or not as well)?
- How could better nitrogen sensing change farming practices and policy debates?
- What are realistic timelines and barriers for implementing MOF technologies in the field?
Who should attend?
Researchers, students, policymakers, farmers, technology developers and anyone interested in the intersection of advanced materials, sustainable agriculture and environmental policy.
Thursday, October 8th, 2026
15:30 – 18:00 (including networking drinks) 
SustainaLab, Matrix ONE, Amsterdam Science Park 301, 1098 XH Amsterdam
Language: English
Cost: Free