BASIC ENERGY SCIENCES -- BASIC ENERGY SCIENCES -- Serving the Present, Shaping the Future Serving the Present, Shaping the Future Dr. Harriet Kung Director, Office of Basic Energy Sciences Office of Science U.S. Department of Energy Basic Energy Sciences Update Basic Energy Sciences Update February 26, 2009 February 26, 2009 Basic Energy Sciences Advisory Committee Meeting Basic Energy Sciences Advisory Committee Meeting http://www.sc.doe.gov/ bes/
Transcript
BASIC ENERGY SCIENCES -- BASIC ENERGY SCIENCES -- Serving the Present, Shaping the FutureServing the Present, Shaping the Future
Dr. Harriet KungDirector, Office of Basic Energy Sciences
Office of ScienceU.S. Department of Energy
Basic Energy Sciences UpdateBasic Energy Sciences Update
February 26, 2009February 26, 2009Basic Energy Sciences Advisory Committee MeetingBasic Energy Sciences Advisory Committee Meeting
http://www.sc.doe.gov/bes/
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New Administration & DOE
BES Budget & Staffing Updates
EFRC/SISGR Status
BES & Photon Science
NAS Catalysis Program Review
OutlineOutline
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President Obama - January 20, 2009, Inaugural Address
“We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories.”
President Obama on “Energy” - Joint session of Congress, Feb. 24, 2009“… absolutely critical to our economic future”
“… it is time for America to lead again"
“To truly transform our economy, protect our security, and save our planet from the ravages of climate change, we need to ultimately make clean, renewable energy the profitable kind of energy, … And to support that innovation, we will invest fifteen billion dollars a year to develop technologies like wind power and solar power; advanced biofuels, clean coal, and more fuel-efficient cars and trucks built right here in America.”
“The answers to our problems don't lie beyond our reach. They exist in our laboratories and our universities, …”
Energy to Secure America’s FutureEnergy to Secure America’s Future Invest in Science to Achieve Transformational DiscoveriesInvest in Science to Achieve Transformational Discoveries
“As a scientist, I understand the seriousness of the economic and climate challenges we face. But I remain optimistic that scientific research will once again bring us transformative solutions.” Secretary Steven Chu, February 5, 2009
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
H. R. 1DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY; SCIENCE “For an additional amount for ‘‘Science’’ $1,600,000,000.”
Passed by Congress - Feb. 12, 2009 Signed by President - Feb. 17, 2009
BES plans to invest the additional funding received from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 in the following areas:
(1) To accelerate constructions projects and major items of equipment completion, (2) To implement capital equipment augmentation, and(3) To support priority research.
The Office of Science FY 09 Budget RequestThe Office of Science FY 09 Budget Request
Total, Office of Science………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………3,836,613 3,973,142 4,721,969 +748,827 +18.8%
* Adjustments include SBIR/STTR funding transferred from other DOE offices (FY 2007 only), a charge to reimbursable customers for their share of safeguards and security costs (FY 2007 and FY 2008), Congressionally-directed projects and a rescission of a prior year Congressionally-directed project (FY 2008 only), and offsets for the use of prior year balances to fund current year activities (FY 2007 and FY 2008).
FY 2009 Request to Congress
FY 2009 Request to Congress vs. FY 2008
Approp.
FY 2008 Approp.
FY 2007 Approp.
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House Report 110-921 Senate Report 110-416
“The Committee provides $1,415,378,000 for Basic Energy Sciences. Of these funds $145,468,000 is provided for construction activities as requested in the budget. The remaining $1,269,910,000 is for research. Within the research funds provided $17,000,000 is for the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research [EPSCoR]. Of the decrease, $59,495,000 of basic solar research is moved to the EERE solar energy research and development program.”
FY 2009 Energy and Water Development AppropriationsFY 2009 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Basic Energy SciencesBasic Energy Sciences
“The Committee recommendation for Basic Energy Sciences is $1,599,660,000, an increase of $31,500,000 over the budget request and an increase of $329,758,000 over the current fiscal year. For purposes of reprogramming during fiscal year 2009, the Department may allocate funding among all operating accounts within Basic Energy Sciences, consistent with the reprogramming guidelines outlined earlier in this report.”
H.R.1105 - Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 Division C - Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2009
“Basic Energy Sciences.—The bill provides $1,571,972,407 for this program. Within this amount, $17,000,000 is provided for the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). Full funding is provided to support the operations of the major scientific user facilities and the five Nanoscale Science Research Centers, as well as additional instrumentation for the Spallation Neutron Source and the Linac Coherent Light Source. The control level is at the Basic Energy Sciences level.”
Expand Core Research Program• Large Scale Research Centers/Collaborations (e.g., EFRCs)• Single-Investigator and Small-Group Research• Broader EPSCoR Participation ($17M in FY09)
Support World-class Scientific User Facilities• Synchrotron light sources• Neutron scattering facilities• Electron microcharacterization facilities• Nanoscale Science Research Centers
New Construction and Instrumentation• National Synchrotron Light Source-II• Linac Coherent Light Source + Linac operations + instruments• Advanced Light Source User Support Building• Spallation Neutron Source instruments• PULSE Building
BES Program PrioritiesBES Program PrioritiesInvest in Science to Achieve Transformational Discoveries Invest in Science to Achieve Transformational Discoveries
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On February 26, the Administration's FY 2010 Budget Overview will be released.
The agency summaries in the overview provide highlights of the agency budget; the overview also describes certain administration initiatives and other proposals.
DOE will not make commitments about specific programs not specifically mentioned in the overview or address account level details until the release of the full budget in April.
FY 2010 BudgetFY 2010 Budget
OMB Memo, M-09-11, February 19, 2009
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Scattering and Instrumentation
Sciences
Helen KerchCheryl Howard, P.A.
X-ray ScatteringLane Wilson
Neutron ScatteringThiyaga P. Thiyagarajan
Electron and Scanning Probe Microscopies
Jane Zhu
DOE EPSCoR*Tim FitzsimmonsHelen Farrell, INL
* Experimental Program toStimulate Competitive Research
Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
Jim HorwitzMarsophia Agnant, P.A.
Exp. Cond. Mat. Phys.Andy Schwartz
Doug Finnemore, AmesVacant
Theo. Cond. Mat. Phys.Michael Lee
Arun Bansil, NEU Jim Davenport, BNL
Kim Ferris, PNNL
Physical Behavior of MaterialsRefik Kortan
Mechanical Behaviorand Radiation Effects
John Vetrano
Jim Horwitz, Acting DirectorEhsan Khan, Program Manager Christie Ashton, Program Analyst
Charnice Waters, Secretary
Physical BiosciencesVacant
Bob Stack, PNNL
Photosynthetic SystemsGail McLean
Photo- and Bio-Chemistry
Rich GreeneSharron Watson, P.A.
Chemical Sciences, Geosciences, and Biosciences Division
Eric Rohlfing, DirectorDiane Marceau, Program Analyst
Michaelene Kyler-King, Program Assistant
Scientific User Facilities Division
Pedro Montano, DirectorLinda Cerrone, Program Support Specialist
Rocio Meneses, Program Assistant
Operations ConstructionMaterials Discovery,
Design, and Synthesis
Arvind KiniKerry Gorey, P.A.
Tech. Coordination Program Management
John VetranoVacant
Materials ChemistryDick Kelley
Jim McBreen, BNLVacant
Biomolecular MaterialsMike Markowitz
Synthesis and Processing Bonnie GerstenJeff Tsao, SNL
Office of Basic Energy SciencesOffice of Basic Energy Sciences
Technology Office CoordinationMarvin Singer
Vacant
Condensed-Phase and Interfacial Mol. Sci.
Greg Fiechtner
Gas-Phase Chem. Phys. Wade Sisk
Larry Rahn, SNL
BES Operations
Rich Burrow, DOE Technical Office CoordinationDon Freeburn, DOE and Stakeholder InteractionsKen Rivera, Laboratory Infrastructure / ES&HKatie Perine, Program Analyst / BESACVacant, Technology Office Coordination
BES Budget and Planning
Bob Astheimer, Technical AdvisorMargie Davis, Financial ManagementVacant, Program Support Specialist
February 2009Posted 19FEB09
Detailee (from DOE laboratories)Detailee, ½ time
Detailee, ½ time, not at HQDetailee, ¼ time, not at HQOn detail from SC-2, ½ timeIPA (Interagency Personnel Act)
P.A. Program Assistant
L E G E N D
Materials Sciences and Engineering Division
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EFRC and SISGR UpdateEFRC and SISGR Update
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BESAC New Science for a Secure and Sustainable Energy Future Report
The present pace of change for clean energy technologies is not sufficient to meet future needs. BES must lead a major campaign focused on increasing the rate of discoveries and establishing US leadership in next-generation carbon-free energy technologies.
Significant discoveries will come at the intersection of control science with complex functional materials. …. BES must move aggressively in these directions lest the US fall behind in the global competition for the discoveries that underpin future energy sources, systems, and processes.
It will take ‘dream teams’ of highly educated talent, equipped with forefront tools, and focused on the most pressing challenges to increase the rate of discovery. To make progress most rapidly, these teams must work to close gaps between needs and capabilities in synthesis, measurement, theory, and computation.
U.S. leadership requires BES to lead a national effort to aggressively recruit the best talent through a series of workforce development aimed at inspiring today’s students and young researchers to be the discoverers, inventors, and innovators of tomorrow’s energy.
BES in a New Era of Science:BES in a New Era of Science:Serving the Present, Shaping the FutureServing the Present, Shaping the Future
EFRC will pursue collaborative fundamental research that addresses both energy challenges and science grand challenges in areas such as:
Solar Energy Utilization Geosciences for Nuclear Waste and CO2 Storage Catalysis for Energy Advanced Nuclear Energy Systems Electrical Energy Storage Combustion of 21st Century Transportation Fuels Solid State Lighting Hydrogen Production, Storage, and Use Superconductivity Materials Under Extreme Environments Other Conversion of Biological Feedstock to Portable Fuels
Engaging the Talents of the Nation’s Researchers for the Broad Energy Sciences: BES announced the initiation of EFRCs to accelerate the scientific breakthroughs needed to create advanced energy technologies for the 21st century. The EFRCs will pursue the fundamental understanding necessary to meet the global need for abundant, clean, and economical energy.
Energy Frontier Research Center CollaborationEnergy Frontier Research Center CollaborationTackling our energy challenges in a new era of scienceTackling our energy challenges in a new era of science
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Timeline of the EFRC SolicitationTimeline of the EFRC Solicitation
As described in the EFRC FOA, Part V, Application Review InformationInitial Review (DOE): For eligibility of the applicants and institutions, per the criteria set forth in the FOA Part III, Eligibility Information; For completeness of the application; For responsiveness to the objectives of the FOA, particularly addressing both a science grand challenge and one or
more energy research challenge. Applications failing the initial review will be declined without further merit review; applicants will be notified and
provided with the declination justification.
Merit Review (External Scientific Experts): Applications will be evaluated by one or more Merit Review Panels (MRPs); The breadth of science encompassed by the FOA will require multiple MRPs; Each application will be reviewed using these four criteria, with additional sub-criteria described in detail in the FOA:
Scientific and/or technical merit of the projectAppropriateness of the proposed method or approachCompetency of the applicant’s personnel and adequacy of the proposed resourcesReasonableness and appropriateness of the proposed budget;
Following the merit review, a team of Federal officials will review the applications and the evaluations of the MRPs, summarize the MRP’s independent evaluations, and recommend the application of other selection factors to the selection official.
Award Selection (DOE): Other selection factors: diversity of research activities, relation of the proposed EFRC to the ongoing programs in
BES, potential for developing synergies between the proposed EFRC and other EFRCs or ongoing BES research, and the total amount of DOE funds available.
The selection official will consider the evaluations of the MRPs, Federal official’s recommendations, and other selection factors in making award decisions.
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SISGR will significantly enhance the core research programs in BES and pursue the fundamental understanding necessary to meet the global need for abundant, clean, and economical energy.
Awards are planned for three years, with funding in the range of $150-300 K/yr for single-investigator awards and $500-1500 K/yr for small-group awards
Areas of interest include: Grand challenge science: ultrafast science; chemical imaging, complex &
emergent behavior Use inspired discovery science: basic research for electrical energy storage;
advanced nuclear energy systems; solar energy utilization; hydrogen production, storage, and use; geological CO2 sequestration; other basic research areas identified in BESAC and BES workshop reports with an emphasis on nanoscale phenomena
Tools for grand challenge science: midscale instrumentation; accelerator and detector research (exclude capital equipment supports)
Single-Investigator and Small-Group Research Single-Investigator and Small-Group Research Tackling our energy challenges in a new era of science Tackling our energy challenges in a new era of science
The encourage/discourage decisions for the preapplications of SISGR projects will be transmitted to PI soon after confirmation of FY 2009 funding.
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FY 2009Continuing Resolution through 3/6/09
Jan 08 April 08 Oct 08 Jan 09 Apr 09July 08
FY2008
July 09
Timeline of the SISGRTimeline of the SISGR
2/2008
BES discussed
SISGR Plan at BESAC
4/2008
BES issued SISGR web
notice
by 10/2008
BESReceived ~
880 whitepapers
3/2009
BES to notify PIs of
whitepaper decisions(tentative)
4/2009
Full proposals due to BES(tentative)
6/2009
BES to issue SISGR awards
(tentative)
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BES & Photon ScienceBES & Photon Science
2020
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BESAC Workshop on Solving Science and Energy Grand ChallengesBESAC Workshop on Solving Science and Energy Grand Challengeswith Next Generation Photon Sourceswith Next Generation Photon Sources
“Photon Workshop” October 27- 28, 2008 Wolfgang Eberhardt (BESSY) and Franz Himpsel (U Wisconsin), Co-Chairs
Workshop Charge This workshop will identify connections between major new research opportunities and the capabilities of
the next generation of light sources (“photon attributes”, such as coherence and femtosecond time resolution). Particular emphasis will be on energy-related research. The presentations and discussion sessions will highlight how time-resolved excitation, functional imaging, diffraction, and spectroscopy by photons can help solving major problems and develop “killer applications” in basic energy research. A variety of opportunities have been outlined by ten BESAC and BES reports on basic research needs and by a report on five “Grand Challenges” in directing matter and energy (see: http://www.sc.doe.gov/bes/reports/list.html ).
Both accelerator-based light sources and novel laser based sources for the VUV to X-ray range will be considered. The Photon Workshop will identify the science drivers for new photon sources but will not consider the design of machines or devices for producing the required photons. A strong coupling of theory and experiment will be emphasized.
A matrix will be prepared to define the most compelling connections between research opportunities and photon attributes. For example, many science and energy grand challenges require probing very fast processes that happen over very small distances: femtoseconds over nanometers. Typically, an electron in a solid takes a femtosecond to travel a nanometer, and atoms have a vibrational period of about 100 femtoseconds. Lasers probe femtoseconds and synchrotrons resolve nanometers, but presently neither can do both.
The photon attributes to be considered by the workshop include coherence length (longitudinal and transverse), time structure, energy, energy resolution, spectral brightness (average and peak), flux, spatial and momentum resolution, and polarization.
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BES program supports a robust program of fundamental research in photon science strategically structured to serve DOE’s missions, primarily its energy mission.
BES program supports the design, construction, and operation of a collection of major scientific user facilities, including four light sources. These facilities are a critical component of maintaining U.S. leadership in the physical sciences. Together these facilities hosted more than 8,500 users in FY 2007.
BES continues as the dominant supporter of light sources, providing as much as 85% of all federal funds for beamlines, instruments, and PI support. Many other agencies, industries, and private sponsors provide support for instrumentation and research in specialized areas such as protein crystallography.
These user facilities illustrate the contributions of our Nation's government research institutions, both to our understanding of fundamental science and to the Nation’s technological foundations; and to serve researchers at universities, federal laboratories, and industrial laboratories.
Photon Science in BES: StewardshipPhoton Science in BES: Stewardship
National Synchrotron Light Source II (BNL) (under construction)
Nanoscale Science Research Centers Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (ORNL)Molecular Foundry (LBNL)Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies (SNL & LANL)Center for Functional Nanomaterials (BNL)Center for Nanoscale Materials (ANL)
Neutron sourcesManuel Lujan, Jr. Neutron Scattering Center (LANL)High Flux Isotope Reactor (ORNL)Spallation Neutron Source (ORNL)
Electron beam sourcesElectron Microscopy Center for Materials Research (ANL)National Center for Electron Microscopy (LBNL)Shared Research Equipment Program (ORNL)
BASIC ENERGY SCIENCES -- BASIC ENERGY SCIENCES -- Serving the Present, Shaping the FutureServing the Present, Shaping the Future http://www.sc.doe.gov/bes/
BES Scientific User FacilitiesBES Scientific User Facilities
National Synchrotron Light Source IINational Synchrotron Light Source II
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The Four BES Light Sources Hosted 8,492 Users in FY 2008The Four BES Light Sources Hosted 8,492 Users in FY 2008
The size and demographics of the user community have changed dramatically since the 1980s when only a few hundred intrepid users visited the synchrotron light sources each year. Here, “user” is a researcher who proposes and conducts peer-reviewed experiments at a scientific facility or conducts experiments at the facility remotely. A user does not include individuals who only send samples to be analyzed, pay to have services performed, or visit the facility for tours or educational purposes. Users also do not include researchers who collaborate on the proposal or subsequent research paper but do not conduct experiments at the facility. For annual totals, an individual is counted as 1 user at a particular facility no matter how often or how long the researcher conducts experiments at the facility during the year.
Characteristics of the 8,492 Users at the BES Light Sources in FY 2008Characteristics of the 8,492 Users at the BES Light Sources in FY 2008
Nature of Research
97% Nonproprietary research only
1% Nonproprietary & proprietary research
2% Proprietary research only
31% First-Time Users
27% Female
Num
ber
of
Num
ber
of
Use
rsU
sers
-
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
< 20 20–29 30–39 40–49 50–59 60–69 > 69 N/A
User Employment LevelUser Employment LevelSource of User SupportSource of User Support
BESOther DOENIH
NSFOther Gov.IndustryForeign
Other/NA
Ages (years)Ages (years)
Undergraduate Students
Graduate Students
Post Doctoral Associates
Professional
Other/NA
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Number of Users by Discipline at the four BES Light SourcesNumber of Users by Discipline at the four BES Light Sources
Constrained budget appropriations have hindered the growth in the number of users. Who funds the light sources?The Basic Energy Sciences program provides complete support for the operations of the facilities. Furthermore, BES continues as the dominant supporter of research in the physical sciences, providing as much as 85% of all federal funds for beamlines, instruments, and PI support. Many other agencies, industries, and private sponsors provide support for instrumentation and research in specialized areas such as protein crystallography.
For the 4 BES Light Sources, the Majority of Users Continue to be from AcademiaFor the 4 BES Light Sources, the Majority of Users Continue to be from Academia
-
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
3,500
4,000
4,500
5,000
5,500
6,000
6,500
7,000
7,500
8,000
8,500
9,000
1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008
Fiscal Year
Nu
mb
er
of
Us
ers
Other (US, Foreign)
Foreign
Other Government Labs
Other DOE Laboratories
Laboratory On Site
Industry
University
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008
Fiscal Year
Percen
t o
f U
sers
Notably, the fraction of industrial users has declined over the past 18 years, reflecting the trend of industry to move away from fundamental research.
The number of users from The number of users from the host institutions (yellow the host institutions (yellow bar) has grown from the bar) has grown from the early days, reflecting a early days, reflecting a commitment on the part of commitment on the part of the host institutions to the host institutions to these user facilities.these user facilities.
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Four BES Light Sources — 8,492 Users by State in FY 2008Four BES Light Sources — 8,492 Users by State in FY 2008
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1,000
1,100
1,200
1,300
1,400
1,500
1,600
1,700
1,800
1,900
2,000
2,100
2,200
2,300
NSLSAPSALSSSRL
BES Light Source Users
8,492 Total Users in FY 200820 States with > 60 Users
**California is host state for SSRL and ALSCalifornia is host state for SSRL and ALSIllinois is host state for APSIllinois is host state for APSNew York is host state for NSLSNew York is host state for NSLS
Four BES Light Sources: 7,388 Users by State in FY 2008 (host lab not included)Four BES Light Sources: 7,388 Users by State in FY 2008 (host lab not included)
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User Profile by Discipline of Experiments for the four BES Light SourcesUser Profile by Discipline of Experiments for the four BES Light Sources
NAS Review of BES Catalysis ProgramNAS Review of BES Catalysis Program
3131
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National Academy of Sciences Review of the BES Catalysis Science ProgramNational Academy of Sciences Review of the BES Catalysis Science Program
Sec. 973 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005) states:“(d) Assessment – Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences to- (1) review the catalysis program to measure – (A) gains made in the fundamental science of catalysis; and (B) progress towards developing new fuels for energy production and material fabrication processes; and (2) submit to Congress a report describing the results of the review.”
In compliance with EPAct 2005, in 2007 BES requested that the NAS Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology conduct this review to:
Examine the BES research portfolio in catalysis and identify whether and how this portfolio has advanced fundamental science in this area.Discuss how the BES research porfolio in catalysis contributes and is likely to contribute to immediate and long-term national energy goals, such as reducing the Nation’s dependence on foreign sources of energy.
The NAS committee requested and received a significant amount of information from BES regarding the catalysis science program, including but not limited to:
A complete listing of supported projects (classified by area) and investigators from 1997-2007.A description of mult-investigator collaborative projects and how such projects are incentivized.The historical context for the program, including missions statements going back more than 20 years.The top success stories in the program over the last decade (see next slide). The influence of BES workshops on the program over time.The measures taken by BES to ensure continuity of the research enterprise in catalysis science.Funding for instrumentation within the program.
The committee held several meetings to conduct the review and received information through talks and interviews with:DOE program staff from BES and the technology offices (EERE and FE).Catalysis experts from academia, industry, and DOE laboratories.Principle investigators in the BES Catalysis Science Program.The co-chairs of the BES workshop: Basic Research Needs: Catalysis for Energy
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Top BES Catalysis Science StoriesTop BES Catalysis Science Stories
Richard SchrockMIT
Surface Structure and Catalysis: Its Past and Progress (D. Wayne Goodman, Texas A&M)
Modeling Catalytic Structures and Their Reaction Environment (Matthew Neurock, Univ. of Virginia)
Near-Surface Alloys and Core-Shell Nanoparticles (Manos Mavrikakis, Univ. of Wisconsin)
Electrocatalysis: Progress and Future (Radislav Adzic, BNL)
Conversion of Biomass for Energy Purposes (James Dumesic, Univ. of Wisconsin)
Structure, Mechanisms, and Performance in Catalysis (Alexis Bell, LBNL)
Nanostructured Oxides (Enrique Iglesia, LBNL)
Lean NOx Diesel Emission Control (Chuck Peden, PNNL)
Shared the 2005 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Robert Grubbs and Yves Chauvin for work that led to the understanding of the mechanistic steps of olefin metathesis and the development of successfully working catalysts for such chemistry. Olefin metathesis is a chemical process that is largely responsible for the production of fuels, pharmaceuticals, polymeric materials, detergents, and many other petrochemical products. Through exquisite control, catalysts direct organic molecules that might not react under mild conditions, to link together in specific ways and with minimum production of waste.
BES provided nine “success” stories to the NAS review committee to demonstrate the impact of the BES Catalysis Science Program in the last 10 years. Each story represents a significant body of work supported over time by BES and is based primarily on the work done by the research group of the investigator noted in parentheses.
Ligand Design in Catalysis: Successes and Perspectives (Richard D Schrock, MIT)
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NAS Review of the BES Catalysis Science ProgramNAS Review of the BES Catalysis Science Program
Review Committee:Nancy B. Jackson (co-chair) Sandia Nat LabsJens K. Norskov (co-chair), Tech Univ of DenmarkMark A. Barteau, Unv of DelawareMark J. Cardillo, Dreyfus FoundationMarcetta Y. Darensbourg, Texas A&MAnne M. Gaffney, Lummus TechnologyVernon C. Gibson, Imperial College LondonSossina M. Haile, Cal TechMasatake Haruta, Tokyo Metropolitan UnivNenad M. Markovic, Argonne Nat LabThomas A. Moore, Ariz St UnivBendan D. Murray, Shell Global SolutionsJames C. Stevens, Dow Chemical CoBarry M. Trost, Stanford Univ
Report published on NAP website.
The NAS committee summarized the historical and current impacts of the program in two traditional areas:
Heterogeneous catalysis – surface science, nanoscale catalysis, and theoryHomogeneous catalysis – single-site polymerization, C-H activation and functionalization, organic synthesis, and bio-inspired catalysis
The review provided an endorsement of the BES Catalysis Science Program and useful guidance in areas where the portfolio could be strengthened. As summarized on the NAS website:
“… the report concludes that the program has invested well in catalysis basic research. The program's success can be attributed to key management decisions over the past eight years that have led to a current funding distribution that advances catalysis science in general and keeps the development of energy-related technologies as a long-term goal. The program has maintained support for many well-established and world-renowned leaders in catalysis and, at the same time, has brought in many new researchers. The DOE Catalysis Science Initiative has been a particularly effective mechanism for bringing to the program new funds, new researchers, and innovative research topics -- especially in heterogeneous catalysis.”
The review recommended modest changes in the portfolio that are consistent with BES strategic planning:
Heterogeneous catalysis – maintain high surface area catalysis, surface science, nanoscience, and electrocatalysis, but put increased emphasis on catalyst design, new synthesis methods, unique reactor systems, unique characterization techniques, and completely new chemical reactions.Homogeneous catalysis – portfolio should extend beyond individual mechanistic steps to include greater development of new catalytic systems and reactions. Portfolio improvement suggested in: C-H bond functionalization, new approaches to transition-metal catalysis, and electrochemical catalysis. In addition, a greater emphasis should be placed on reducing highly oxidzed compounds, such as bioderived materials into fuels and feedstocks, and on bioinspired catalytic processes.
