Collaborations in Catalysis
Collaboration is the key to success when working on the industrial, energy, and environmental challenges that face our world today. By bringing together the complementary skills of multiple disciplines, problems can be addressed that were previously thought too difficult to solve. At Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Institute for Interfacial Catalysis, we forge strong collaborations that span fundamental research, applied science, and new technologies. Our partners include universities, government research laboratories, public and private consortiums, and private companies.
Here are a few examples:
Argonne National Laboratory
Caterpillar
Chinese Academy
Cummins Inc.
Dalian Institute for Chemical Physics in China
Dow Automotive
Fritz-Haber Institute in Germany
National Energy Technology Laboratory
International Constortium for Clean Energy
Los Alamos National Laboratory
University of Delaware
University of New Mexico
University of Pennsylvania
University of Texas at Austin
University of Toronto
University of Washington
Washington State University
Photo Credit: Scott Butner
Caterpillar
Caterpillar is the largest manufacturer of diesel engines and construction equipment in the world. The company conducts applied research, including work on reducing the level of contaminants in the exhaust emitted from its diesel engines. Reducing emissions is critical for the company to stay ahead of changing U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requirements while preserving the reliability and fuel efficiency of its engines. Caterpillar's headquarters and technical center are in Peoria and Mossville, Illinois, respectively.
Since 1999, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has conducted applied engine exhaust reduction research with Caterpillar through cooperative research and development agreements. For example, PNNL's Institute for Interfacial Catalysis and Caterpillar are collaborating to reduce emissions from Caterpillar's homogeneous charged compression ignition approach. This approach lowers nitrogen oxides and particulate emissions from the engines, but results in elevated levels of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. The Caterpillar/IIC team is working to develop novel catalytic materials that will oxidize the carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons to carbon dioxide and water at temperatures lower than when currently available catalysts are active.
Specifically, the Institute of Interfacial Catalysis is
- Formulating novel oxidation catalysts.
- Conducting steady-state and transient flow bench studies.
- Performing detailed physical and chemical characterizations of the materials.
Caterpillar is primarily conducting engine exhaust characterization studies and engine testing of potential new catalyst materials.
Research teams on this and other joint projects have exchanged research staff. In addition, the teams published scientific results in Applied Catalysis B and Catalysis Today, and presented research results at conferences, including the American Chemical Society National Meetings, the North American Catalysis Society's North American Meeting, and the Diesel Engine Efficiency and Exhaust Reduction (DEER) Conference.
Chinese Academy of Sciences Research Center for Energy and Power
Founded in September 1949, the Chinese Academy of Sciences
- conducts research in basic and technological sciences
- undertakes nationwide integrated surveys on natural resources and ecological environment
- provides the country with scientific data and advice for governmental decision-making
- undertakes government-assigned projects with regard to key science and technology problems in the process of social and economic development
- initiates personnel training; and promotes China's high-tech enterprises by its active involvement in these areas.
Researchers from CAS are working with scientists in the National Energy Technology Laboratory and the Institute for Interfacial Catalysis at PNNL to advance the technical, environmental, and cost performance of fossil energy technologies. This work, which began in May 2009, represents a commitment from the US and Chinato fund and support collaborative research in advanced coal conversion processes, especially carbon capture and storage.
Cummins Inc.
Cummins Inc. is a global leader in designing and manufacturing heavy-duty diesel engines for the trucking industry, and for the large pick-up truck market. Because the truck industry is driven by fuel costs, and thus fuel efficiency, Cummins invests in applied research focused on more fuel-efficient diesel engines. In addition, Cummins invests in meeting increasingly stringent environmental regulations. The corporate headquarters and research laboratories are in Columbus, Indiana.
Cummins and the Institute for Interfacial Catalysis collaborate on diesel engine emissions reduction research. In February 2003, the two organizations signed a cooperative research and development agreement to understand and further develop a new catalyst technology known as a lean NOx trap (LNT) for controlling nitrogen oxide emissions from diesel engines.
This work involved a three-way arrangement with catalyst supplier Johnson Matthey. Scientists at the IIC have conducted fundamental molecular science research to provide experts at Cummins and Johnson Matthey with an understanding of the processes involved in catalyst deactivation. The research led to the emissions-control system used in 2007 heavy-duty Dodge Ram pickup trucks, the first commercial implementation of the LNT technology in the United States.
In addition, Cummins and the IIC continue to collaborate on studies to limit other regulated exhaust emissions, such as particulates. The IIC began a CRADA focused on the next generation of lean NOx trap catalysts to utilize this technology in future vehicle applications.
The research teams on this and other projects have published results in Catalysis Today, Journal of Physical Chemistry C, and Applied Catalysis B, among others. Also, the teams have presented at conferences including the North American Catalysis Society's North American Meeting, AIChE annual meetings, and at the International Congress on Catalysis.
Dalian Institute for Chemical Physics
The Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP), established in 1949, plays a leading role in energy research in China. Professors, graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows at DICP conduct basic and applied research in selectively controlling chemical reactions and chemical reactor engineering. This work is done for government sectors and industrial enterprises.
The DICP is establishing China's first national laboratory which will focus on clean energy R&D. Construction has already begun, with significant new office and laboratory space scheduled to be available in 2010.
DICP collaborates with numerous scientific institutions, universities, and industrial enterprises worldwide. Besides the International Consortium for Clean Energy collaboration, DICP and IIC researchers are conducting joint fundamental catalysis research. For example, scientists determined the structure of a catalyst that converts methane, typically flared off at oil fields, into more useful compounds. Also, the organizations have hosted workshops together.
Dow Automotive
Dow Automotive, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, has materials science expertise and an array of technical capabilities that allow it to deliver innovative solutions to its customers worldwide. The company's advanced engineering capabilities combine design, engineering, and materials science skills to deliver solutions that best meet performance, weight, and cost requirements to satisfy clients' vehicle needs. In-house testing, validation, and program and supply-chain management allow Dow Automotive to support clients from design through product launch.
Dow Automotive's world headquarters are located in Auburn Hills, Michigan. R&D labs and advanced engineering are located in Auburn Hills and Midland, Michigan; Freeport, Texas; and Sarnia, Ontario, Canada.
Since about 2004, the Institute for Interfacial Catalysis and Dow Automotive have conducted applied research into particulate filtration. Specifically, the team is studying the microstructure of a novel soot filter to determine how to efficiently capture particulates while limiting back pressure over the filter. High back pressures can reduce fuel efficiency in engines.
Experts from Dow Automotive and the IIC have presented their joint research results at scientific conferences.
International Consortium for Clean Energy
Established in 2007, the consortium is working to answer scientific and technical questions necessary to use coal more economically and efficiently, and with greatly reduced negative environmental consequences. Coal is the most significant fossil energy resource in the United States and China. Specifically, the consortium's members are working on
- High-temperature chemistry and diagnostics related to coal gasification.
- Design and development of functional sorbents for syngas separations, and for removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) from coal plant emissions.
- Catalysis for hydrocarbon synthesis and conversion, and for the utilization of CO2.
The consortium's members are the Institute of Coal Chemistry and the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, both operated by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, including many staff from the Institute for Interfacial Catalysis. Each organization has a long history of research and technology development for the production of energy from coal.
The consortium members are exchanging staff and jointly conducting R&D projects with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy and China's Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Science and Technology.
The University of Delaware has a great tradition of excellence, from their founding as a small private academy in 1743, to the research-intensive, technologically advanced institution of today. Recognizing the central role of catalysis in industrial practice, the Center for Catalytic Science and Technology (CCST) was founded in 1978. The Center has pioneered multidisciplinary research in the scientific and engineering principles of catalysis. The main University of Delaware campus and CCST are located in Newark, Delaware.
Since 2007, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has collaborated on research aimed at the development of alternative, low-cost, and durable high-performance cathode supports for PEM fuel cells with the University of Delaware. The collaborative research being carried out at PNNL's Institute for Interfacial Catalysis and the University of Delaware will 1) gain a fundamental understanding of model catalyst systems; 2) synthesize high surface area cathode supports; and 3) characterize the supported cathode catalysts and perform electrochemical evaluation of the systems.
Located in the southwestern United States, the University of New Mexico provides top quality education and research opportunities for students and has done so since 1889. Faculty, post-doctoral fellows, graduate students, and undergraduates at UNM conduct basic and applied research in numerous fields. For example, materials research is conducted on ceramics and engineering nanomaterials through the university's Center for Micro-Engineered Materials.
In 2009, the Institute for Interfacial Catalysis at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the University of New Mexico, and the University of Pennsylvania began collaborating on catalysis research. This work is directed at developing highly active and selective catalysts for the production of hydrogen from alcohols derived from renewable feedstock. Previous work by the team focused on observing and understanding the conversion of methanol to hydrogen and on associated reactions, such as the water gas shift. Now, the focus is on understanding the catalytic conversion of higher alcohols (ethanol, propanol, butanol) to provide enhanced activity and selectivity of these catalytic processes.
A member of the Ivy League, the University of Pennsylvania or Penn is a nationally ranked research university with 174 research centers and institutes. As of fiscal year 2006 (the last year for such data), Penn's research community included more than 4,200 faculty, 870 postdoctoral fellows, and nearly 3,800 graduate students. The research budget was $660 million.
In 2009, the Institute for Interfacial Catalysis at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the University of New Mexico, and the University of Pennsylvania began collaborating on catalysis research. This work is directed at developing highly active and selective catalysts for the production of hydrogen from alcohols derived from renewable feedstock. Previous work by the team focused on observing and understanding the conversion of methanol to hydrogen and on associated reactions, such as the water gas shift. Now, the focus is on understanding the catalytic conversion of higher alcohols (ethanol, propanol, butanol) to provide enhanced activity and selectivity of these catalytic processes.
Prof. JM "Mike" White, first director
of the IIC
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a research university, home to more than 50,000 students and 2,900 faculty. Scientists at UT-Austin bring materials synthesis, and analytical and physical chemistry to bear on problems related to characterizing, designing, and preparing technologically important materials.
Researchers at the university and the Institute for Interfacial Catalysis are working together on several research projects. The teams have co-authored articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Also, numerous graduate students and post-doctorates from the university have gained hands-on training and experience with the IIC.
The relationship with the university stretches back to the early days of the IIC. The IIC's founding director was Prof. JM "Mike" White, who served as director while also the Robert A. Welch Chair of Materials Chemistry at the university. Current activities between IIC and UT-Austin include a collaboration with computational chemist Prof. Grahme Henkelman.
Researchers from WSU and IIC work at the new Bioproducts, Sciences, and Engineering Laboratory.
Washington State University
Washington State University has more than a century of experience in agricultural research. Faculty, post-doctoral fellows, and undergraduate students at WSU conduct applied research on the manufacture of fuels from agricultural and forest waste.
Researchers from WSU work with scientists in the Institute for Interfacial Catalysis at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory at the Bioproducts, Sciences, and Engineering Laboratory or BSEL. A significant collaborative effort, this $24.8-million facility was built in 2008 on the WSU-Tri-Cities campus with funding from Washington State. IIC researchers occupy approximately one half of the space via a long-term lease agreement between WSU and Battelle, which operates PNNL. In addition, the scientists work together on a variety of projects in other facilities. Examples of their research include studies on aromaticity.
Further, IIC scientists teach classes and mentor students at WSU. WSU and IIC have staff with joint appointments who conduct fundamental research into atomic and molecular structures of cluster models of catalyst active sites.
