Modern Catalytic Technologies for Converting Biomass to Renewable Fuels and Chemicals: An Overview of the Catalysis Center for Energy Innovation

In this talk, an overview of the research thrusts of the Catalysis Center for Energy Innovation (CCEI), one of the Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC) will be given. Modern catalytic-based technologies will be presented that may overcome challenges of traditional methods in converting biomass to renewable fuels, chemicals, and electricity. Cross-cutting technologies, including hierarchical multiscale materials and models, will be reviewed. We will then review modern technologies that rely on biomass degradation to simple derivatives, such as sugars, followed by a number of reactions, such as isomerization, acid-based chemistry, and etherification to convert sugars to valuable intermediates, such as furans. Reforming of biomass for hydrogen production will also be discussed.