Research


The CEBC works to develop cleaner, safer, energy-efficient technologies that protect the planet and human health. To do this, chemists and engineers design processes to manufacture chemicals and materials more safely and efficiently. They seek to increase use renewable raw materials, and decrease the environmental footprint of the products.  

To do this, CEBC's research strategy revolves around understanding catalytic systems. In other words how do catalysts, reaction media, reactors, and separations all work together?  How can experimental design and process optimization be guided by multi-scale modeling?  How can resulting technologies both reduce environmental impacts and remain commercially attractive?  CEBC's multi-disciplinary team is ideally suited to address these challenges.

CEBCs integrated approach includes catalysis, benign media and separations, advanced spectroscopy, reactor design, process analysis and economics, machine learning, quantum molecular simulations, environmental assessment and novel materials
CEBC's integrated research approach

Some of CEBC's ongoing projects are highlighted below.

Research impacts

NSF-NRT: Internet of Catalysis

This unique training program is designed to foster collaboration between computer scientists, chemists, and chemical engineers. By learning how to harness data, we will be able to ask and answer new questions in catalysis.
Depiction of NRT CataLST research strategy: Catalog, Learn, Search, Text

EPSCoR Track 2: Renewable and Recyclable Polymers

R2P’s mission is to develop novel catalysts and viable processes to (a) transform biorefinery feedstocks into relevant plastics and (b) deconstruct recycled plastics for reuse instead of disposal.
R2P program thrusts are sustainable monomers, polymer precursors, polymer synthesis, polymer recycling, design assessment policy

NSF-PFI: Upgrading Lignin in Biorefineries

This project seeks to assess the commercial potential of a process to create value-added products from lignin.
block flow process diagram for lignin valorization

Unleashing the Potential of Ethanol Derivatives

This project seeks to convert bio-derived ethanol to higher value chemical products.
Photo of student examining sample vial in lab

Impact

See the list of CEBC's patents and publications.