Catalysis and Energy Conversion

The development of new energy technologies is essential to our Nation to promote economic prosperity, to enhance energy security, and to provide for environmental preservation. The Catalysis and Energy Conversion department conducts basic and applied research in two critical energy-related technologies: catalysis (homogeneous and heterogeneous) and fuel cells and hydrogen (fuel cell engineering, hydrogen and fuel cell materials, and ceramic electrochemistry).

Catalysis

Researchers are developing new catalytic materials and processes for converting resources such as biomass and coal to transportation fuels and chemical commodities, reducing NOx emissions, and fundamental research aimed at improving our understanding of how catalysts promote chemical reactions. In Fuel Cells and Hydrogen, researchers are developing technologies for the production, storage, and utilization of hydrogen necessary to realize the potential of fuel cells as clean, efficient power sources for automotive, stationary and portable power applications.

Research in heterogeneous catalysis focuses on developing new catalyst and processes for decomposing and converting cellulosic materials into liquid fuels and chemical commodities, for use in selective oxidation and dehydrogenation reactions, for reducing nitrogen oxide emissions, hydrogen production, and the conversion of synthesis gas, a mixture of CO + H₂, that can be derived from carbonaceous materials such as biomass and coal into liquid fuels. We also explore fundamental issues in catalysis such advancing our understanding of the structure/composition/function relationships in nanoscale catalytic materials. We are also working to advance the use of x-ray spectroscopy techniques for studying catalytic reactions under “real world” operating conditions.

Research in homogeneous catalysis explores fuel-related catalysis mechanisms, new catalytic species, and new catalytic reaction chemistry using an array of powerful in-situ spectroscopic and kinetic techniques at the high pressures and temperatures that are frequently used in industrial processes.

We are also working at the forefront of fundamental catalysis as partners with Northwestern University in the Institute for Catalysis in Energy Processes. Catalysis research at the Institute integrates theory, modeling, synthesis, characterization, and testing with the ultimate goal of achieving selective chemical transformations through new catalyst designs that position multiple catalytic functionalities and control structure and composition with subnanometer precision.

Fuel Cells and Hydrogen

Our researchers are developing technologies for the production, storage, and utilization of hydrogen necessary to realize the potential of fuel cells as clean, efficient power sources for automotive, stationary and portable power applications. R&D in hydrogen production spans fuel reforming (catalytic conversion of natural gas, gasoline, diesel, ethanol to ethanol), high temperature electrolysis, and thermochemical cycles. For fuel cells, we are developing advanced materials and electrocatalysts to reduce the cost and improve the durability of both solid oxide and polymer electrolyte membrane technologies. A distinguishing strength of our research is in the analysis of the complex systems associated with hydrogen production, storage, and fuel cell applications.