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Catalysis by Design

Recent progress in catalysis research has revealed an increasingly detailed picture of molecular processes that underlie catalytic cycles. Revolutionary advances in nanotechnology, biochemistry, photochemistry, organometallic chemistry, organic chemistry, material science, surface science, in situ atomic-scale characterization tools and reactor designs, in combination with the exponentially increasing power of high-performance computing, have initiated a paradigm shift from catalyst screening towards a predictive approach resulting in "Catalysis by Design."

The KAUST Catalysis Center (KCC) was established as a world-leading hub developing a multi-disciplinary approach to "Catalysis by Design" and targeting scientific challenges of the 21st century. Catalytic processes today strongly impact the industrial, agricultural and consumer sectors, and catalysts are fundamental for a broad range of devices, including sensors, fuel cells, exhaust gas converters and water purifiers. Development of new catalytic processes across the chemical, petroleum and new energies industries will increase resource and energy utilization efficiencies and reduce waste and overall environmental footprints. 

As the heart of numerous applications, catalysis research is a highly interdisciplinary field exhibiting a plethora of concepts, approaches and facets. Correspondingly, the "Catalysis by Design" approach requires a multidisciplinary approach. The KCC is structured to host and encourage the interactions of scientists specialized in disciplines relevant to catalysis.