Catalysis for Energy

Catalysts are key to our economic, environmental, and public health.

Catalytic systems enable modern transportation systems, safe foods, a clean environment, and life-saving vaccines and pharmaceuticals. Significant research foci include the rational design of catalyst materials that employ earth-abundant materials, electrocatalysis, and the catalytic conversion of waste materials to foundational chemicals.

The utilization of modern analytical and computational tools and experimental techniques enables a fundamental understanding of the surface interactions that underlie catalysis. WSU researchers working in this field regularly win prestigious national and international awards, which are often awarded only to National Academy members.