Research in this cluster addresses the design of catalytic materials and processes needed to decarbonize the chemical industry, convert renewable and waste feedstocks into fuels and chemicals, and engineer more sustainable materials and manufacturing systems. On the catalysis side, work spans heterogeneous catalyst design for CO₂ conversion and methane activation, electrocatalysts for fuel cells and hydrogenation reactions, and AI/machine-learning-guided approaches to predict and accelerate catalytic reaction pathways. Sustainability-focused efforts target the full lifecycle of materials — from biobased and biodegradable-compostable plastics, to biomass and agricultural-residue valorization for biofuels and bioenergy, to reducing agrochemical dependence through engineered nanomaterials and microbial systems. A parallel process-design thread applies rheology, reaction kinetics, and thermodynamic/process modeling to optimize how these materials and fuels are actually manufactured — including polymer processing, reactive distillation, and integrated food-energy production systems — with an eye toward reducing waste, energy intensity, and environmental impact at industrial scale.
Faculty
Card Section
Bruce E. Dale
