A Report on the DOE Workshop on Basic Research Needs in Catalysis for Energy Applications

The Office of Basic Energy Sciences of the US Department of Energy held a workshop on Basic Research Needs in Catalysis for Energy Applications on August 6-8 in Bethesda, MD. The aim of the workshop was to identify the basic research needs and opportunities in catalytic chemistry and materials that underpin energy conversion, with a focus on new, emerging and scientifically challenging areas that have the potential to significantly impact science and technology. The workshop addressed four major themes – Grand Challenges in Catalysis as a Multidisciplinary Science and Technology, Advanced Catalysts for the Conversion of Fossil Energy Feedstocks, Advanced Catalysts for the Conversion of Biologically Derived Feedstocks, and Advanced Catalysts for the Non-Thermal Conversion of Water and Carbon Dioxide. Cross-cutting issues relating to Theory-Modeling-Simulation, Catalyst Synthesis, and Advanced Instrumental Methods and New Techniques were also discussed. The workshop co-chairs and the leaders of the workshop panels will summarize the findings and recommendations of the workshop in this special session.