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Addressing energy and environmental challenges is crucial for both fundamental research and practical applications. Mitigating CO₂ emissions has led to significant research in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies. Catalytic CO₂ conversion into value-added products is a promising avenue to reduce emissions. Additionally, the increasing shale gas extraction (mainly methane, with minor ethane and propane) presents a viable alternative to petroleum for meeting energy and resource demands. Efficient conversion of these components into olefins, alcohols, and aromatics is a growing area of interest. My future research group will focus on designing atom-efficient catalysts for CO₂ and alkane upgrading into high-value products including discovering new materials, identifying active sites, and elucidating reaction mechanisms through a combination of in-situ characterizations and computational studies. The broader impact of my research lies in promoting sustainable and economical production of chemicals and fuels from CO₂ and alkanes, and also advance catalysis by providing insights into isolated sites, optimizing reaction rates, selectivity, and stability.

My current research has focused on understanding CO/CO₂ conversion and alkane upgrading. I have investigated key catalytic reactions, including propane dehydrogenation, ethylene hydroformylation, CO₂ transformation into carbon nanotubes, and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, which are important areas for energy and environment. I have utilized new materials such as metal zeolites, single atoms, and bimetallic alloys. My expertise includes in-situ techniques (synchrotron XAFS, XRD, and FTIR) and combining kinetics with DFT calculations to study active sites and mechanisms, which provides me with a strong and unique background in catalytic CO₂ and alkane transformations.

Teaching Interests

My major from undergraduate to graduate studies has been Chemical Engineering, which makes me the best fit to teach chemical engineering courses, especially Reaction Kinetics and Introduction to Heterogeneous Catalysis. As an educator, my primary goal is to inspire and equip students with the skills and knowledge to become innovative and critical thinkers. My teaching and guidance will be student-centered, fostering a learning environment where students are actively engaged, challenged, and supported. Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is an integral part of my philosophy. I will strive to create an inclusive classroom where all students feel valued, recognizing their diverse backgrounds and learning styles. By incorporating a variety of teaching methods such as lectures, discussions, and quizzes, I ensure that all students will learn the material in the way that works best for them. Importantly, I will value feedback from students and colleagues and use this feedback to continuously improve my teaching methods.

Selective publications (# equal contribution, *corresponding author)

1. Yuan, E. Huang, S. Hwang, P. Liu, J. G. Chen_*, “Converting Carbon Dioxide into Carbon Nanotubes by Reacting with Ethane”. Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2024, e202404047.
2. Yuan^#, E. Huang^#, S. Hwang, P. Liu_*, J. G. Chen_*, “Confining Platinum Clusters in Indium-Modified ZSM-5 Zeolite”. Nature Communications 2024, 15, 6529.
3. Yuan, W. N. Porter, J. G. Chen_*, “Comparison of Direct and CO₂-Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Propane”. Trends in Chemistry 2023, 5, 840−852.
4. Yuan, Z. Zhao, R. F. Lobo, and B. Xu_*, “Site Diversity and Mechanism of Metal-Exchanged Zeolite Catalyzed Non-Oxidative Propane Dehydrogenation”. Advanced Science 2023, 10, 2207756.
5. Yuan_*, and R. F. Lobo_*, “Zinc Speciation and Propane Dehydrogenation in Zn/H-ZSM-5 Catalysts”, ACS Catalysis 2023, 13, 4971−4984.
6. Yuan_*, Jason S. Lee, and R. F. Lobo _*, “Ga⁺-Chabazite Zeolite: A Highly Selective Catalyst for Non-Oxidative Propane Dehydrogenation”, Journal of the American Chemical Society 2022, 144,15079−15092. (Cover Story)
7. Yuan, and R. F. Lobo_*, “Propane Dehydrogenation over Extra-Framework In(I) in Chabazite Zeolites”, Chemical Science 2022, 13, 2954−2964.
8. Yuan, R. F. Lobo_*, and B. Xu_*, “Ga₂O₂²⁺ Stabilized by Paired Framework Al Atoms in MFI: A Highly Reactive Site in Non-Oxidative Propane Dehydrogenation”, ACS Catalysis 2022, 12, 1775−1783.
9. Yuan, C. Brady, R. F. Lobo, and B. Xu_*, “Understanding the Correlation between Ga Speciation and Propane Dehydrogenation Activity on Ga/H-ZSM-5 Catalysts”, ACS Catalysis 2021, 11, 10647−10659.
10. Yuan, C. Brady, L. Annamalai, R. F. Lobo, and B. Xu_*, “Ga Speciation in Ga/H-ZSM-5 by In-situ Transmission FTIR Spectroscopy”, Journal of Catalysis 2021, 393, 60−69.