a clean energy focus at pnnl's Energy Sciences Center
From researchers working at PNNL's Energy Sciences Center, discover how basic science—catalysis, fundamental chemistry, materials sciences, and quantum computing—are critical for our clean energy future. Watch our video.
Available for License: Jet Fuel Conversion technology
A process for converting biomass and waste into a chemical intermediate or into gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel is now available for commercial licensing after its development at PNNL. Read more.
Enzymatic Control of Carbocation Chemistry
New research deepens the scientific understanding of how monoterpene synthases influence monoterpene formation. More broadly, the results have implications for improving catalytic conversion of highly reactive positively charged organic ions, known as carbocations. Read more.
Highly Active Plastic Upcycling Catalysts Discovered
Breaking chemical bonds with the assistance of hydrogen is a reaction known as hydrogenolysis—a promising strategy to convert plastic waste into value-added small hydrocarbons. New research shows that decreasing the use of precious metals increased efficiency and selectivity for breaking apart plastics. Read more.
For the first time, a new, simple and scalable synthesis produces nanoparticle assemblies that perform room temperature catalytic hydrogen sensing. The research was recently published in Advanced Functional Materials. Read more.
Directing Hydrogen for Bond Breaking
PNNL chemists created a series of supported metal catalysts and then studied how each catalyst added hydrogen to diphenyl ether under a range of conditions. The results were published in Angewandte Chemie. Read more.
New Artificial Enzyme Breaks Down Tough, Woody Lignin
A new artificial enzyme has shown it can chew through lignin, the tough polymer that helps woody plants hold their shape. Lignin also stores tremendous potential for renewable energy and materials. Read More.
IIC News
For a complete list of IIC stories, please visit the IIC news page.
Heldebrant, DJ, J Kothandaraman, N Mac Dowell, L Brickett. 2022. “Next Steps for Solvent-Based CO2 Capture; Integration of Capture, Conversion, and Mineralisation.” Chem. Sci., 13, 6445-6456. https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC00220E
Carroll, TG; DE Ryan, JD Erickson, RM Bullock, BL Tran. 2022. “Isolation of a Cu-H Monomer Enabled by Remote Steric Substitution of a N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligand: Stoichiometric Insertion and Catalytic Hydroboration of Internal Alkenes.” J. Am. Chem. Soc., 144, 30, 13865-13873. https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.2c05376
Ni, LL, R Khare, R Bermejo-Deval, RX Zhao, L Tao, Y Liu, Y, JA Lercher. 2022. “Highly Active and Selective Sites for Propane Dehydrogenation in Zeolite Ga-BEA.” J. Am. Chem. Soc., 144, 27, 12347-12356. https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.2c03810
Wu, Y, Y Ma, YL Wang, KG Rappe, NM Washton, Y Wang, ED Walter, F Gao. 2022. “Rate Controlling in Low-Temperature Standard NH3-SCR: Implications from Operando EPR Spectroscopy and Reaction Kinetics.” J. Am. Chem. Soc., 144, 22, 9734-9746. https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.2c01933
Chen, LX, LC Meyer, L Kovarik, D Meira, XI Pereira-Hernandez, HH Shi, K Khivantsev, OY Gutierrez, J Szanyi. 2022. “Disordered, Sub-Nanometer Ru Structures on CeO2 are Highly Efficient and Selective Catalysts in Polymer Upcycling by Hydrogenolysis.” ACS Catal., 12, 8, 4618-4627. https://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.2c00684
Kim, H, N Srividya, I Lange, EW Huchala, B Ginovska, BM Lange, S Raugei, S. 2022. “Determinants of Selectivity for the Formation of Monocyclic and Bicyclic Products in Monoterpene Synthases.” ACS Catal., 12, 12, 7453-7469. https://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.2c01836
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory draws on signature capabilities in chemistry, Earth sciences, and data analytics to advance scientific discovery and create solutions to the nation's toughest challenges in energy resiliency and national security. Founded in 1965, PNNL is operated by Battelle for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science.
EMSL, the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, is a DOE Office of Science user facility. Located at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, EMSL offers an open, collaborative environment for scientific discovery to researchers around the world. Its integrated computational and experimental resources enable researchers to realize important scientific insights and create new technologies.
