“Don't Forget Long-Term Fundamental Research in Energy” is highlighted in a recent Science perspective by Prof. Whitesides and Prof. Crabtree. When energy and environmental concerns have been at the forefront of global attention, fundamental research in these areas is extremely important, since understanding phenomena relevant to energy and environment can lead to new technologies with high energy efficiency and low environmental impact.

Many of the chemical processes in the production, transformation, and storage of energy, as well as for environmental protection, involve catalytic metals and metal oxides, e.g. the operation of fuel cells, the refining of crude oil to fuels, the gasification and liquefaction of coal, the conversion of solar energy, the storage of hydrogen, the oxidation of hydrocarbon and alcohol fuels, the cleanup of exhaust gas from internal combustion engines. In the development of these technologies, surface science studies on metals and metal oxides have played and will continue to play important roles. Such research seeks to understand chemical reactivity through studies of the interactions of atoms, molecules, and ions with surfaces, the making and breaking of chemical bonds on surfaces, and the energy transfer processes within and between molecules on surfaces. Ultimately, fundamental research on metal and metal oxide surfaces will lead to the development of such advances as efficient combustion systems with reduced emissions of pollutants, improved catalysts for clean and efficient production of fuels and chemicals, new multi-functional materials in energy devices, environmental remediation, and so on.

In my research career I have experience from surface chemistry to chemical engineering. I have focused on the partial oxidation of hydrocarbons on metal and metal oxide catalysts, such as n-butane selective oxidation to maleic anhydride on VPO catalysts, methanol oxidation on Cu model catalysts, and olefin epoxidation on Ag and Au model catalysts. I have also studied the structure of cerium oxide, a well-known functional material applied in numerous technologies relevant to energy and environment. Moreover, I am well versed in a wide range of related techniques from micro-reactor systems to ultra-high vacuum systems with which to realize the proposed research. My solid background in chemistry and physics equips me to pursue my research interests. As a faculty candidate I would also be very enthusiastic about designing and teaching courses on modern areas of chemistry and chemical engineering. My goal is to contribute to the education of future chemical engineering through research, teaching, and service to the community.