Physical Sciences Division
Research Highlights

January 2010

The Science of Moving Protons in Catalytic Reactions

Check out the new website for the Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis at PNNL

At the Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis, established by the Department of Energy in 2009, our scientists are striving to determine how to move protons efficiently in reactions needed for broader use of fuel cells and solar energy. In these reactions, fast, efficient catalysts are needed to turn sunlight and other energy sources into chemical fuels, and the reverse.  All of the catalytic reactions being studied require the movement of multiple protons and electrons, and the focus is on finding efficient ways to accelerate proton movement. To learn more about this research and the people conducting it, visit the center's new website.

Check out the Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis website

The new website contains information for the public, potential collaborators, and energy experts on our catalysis research and our team. The site contains biographies of our team from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Penn State, the University of Washington, and the University of Wyoming. Also, the website describes the scientific challenges behind understanding proton relays in catalysts. Links to research to date are also available. Research updates, team accomplishments, and news will be available as the team tackles the challenge of proton movement.