Analytic and Interfacial Chemical Sciences
Chemistry at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory answers questions about the fundamental nature of complex systems and phenomena, and applies the answers to solve problems for our government and industrial clients. Our work includes developing more efficient energy technologies, remediating the environment and developing technologies to detect the production and movement of weapons of mass effect.
PNNL's chemical science experts seek to understand multiphase systems and phenomena at the molecular level. To do so, they use laboratories at the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory and other facilities, developing new interrogative technologies when the existing ones cannot provide the data they need.
To clean up environments ranging from shipping docks to nuclear waste sites, PNNL performs analytical chemistry focused on the atmosphere, marine and coastal environments, soil and groundwater.
Materials and chemical sciences and engineering are important in increasing U.S. energy capacity and reducing dependence on imported oil. PNNL research seeks to
- Enable economically and environmentally sustainable conversion of domestic hydrocarbons to gases, liquid fuels, electricity and chemicals
- Expand nuclear power through a closed nuclear fuel cycle
- Develop technologies that reduce energy demand including vehicle efficiency, fuel cells, solid-state lighting and building technologies.
Catalysis is a strong research area at PNNL, taking advantage of the historical emphasis on chemistry and chemical engineering at this DOE national laboratory. PNNL's Institute for Interfacial Catalysis is focused on developing high-performance catalysts to improve energy efficiency and provide alternative sources for feedstock chemicals.