2021
November 2021: Research Highlight
Morris Bullock Co-Chairs Hydrogen Roundtable
Discussion helps identify opportunities in hydrogen research.
September 2021: Research Highlight
Morris Bullock to Be Honored as First National Laboratory Scientist to Receive American Chemical Society Award in Organometallic Chemistry
Bullock to be honored with 2022 ACS Award after more than 35 years of research.
August 2021: Research Highlight
CME's Brandi Cossairt Elected to the Washington State Academy of Sciences
New members were inducted at the 14th Annual Members' Meeting of the Washington State Academy of Sciences on September 16, 2021.
June 2021: Research Highlight
Karthish Manthiram Receives Two Early Career Awards
Karthish Manthiram
, the Theodore T. Miller Career Development Chair and an assistant professor in chemical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), has been named both a 2021 Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar and a 2021 Sloan Research Fellow.
2020
November 2020: Research Highlight
Perspective on Oxidation of Ammonia
A new article in the Journal of the American Chemical Society from CME researchers provides a perspective on the use of molecular catalysts to do just that by oxidizing ammonia.
October 2020: Staff Accomplishment
CME's Hammes-Schiffer Receives Royal Society of Chemistry, American Chemical Society Awards
Sharon Hammes-Schiffer, deputy director of the Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis (CME) and the John Gamble Kirkwood Professor of Chemistry at Yale University, has received awards from both the Royal Society of Chemistry and the American Chemical Society (ACS).
May 2020: Staff Accomplishment
CME's Mayer Elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences
James Mayer, Charlotte Fitch Roberts Professor of Chemistry at Yale University and research leader at PNNL's Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis (CME), has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
March 2020: Research Highlight
Professor Shannon Stahl wins the 2020 American Chemical Society Catalysis Lectureship
Shannon Stahl is the Steenbock Professor of Chemical Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and he leads the Molecular Mediators thrust in the Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis.
2019
September 2019: Staff Accomplishment
CME Researchers Honored with Team Science Award
CME investigators Daniel Martin (Yale) and Samantha Johnson (PNNL) received a team science award at the 2019 EFRC Principal Investigators' Meeting in Washington, D.C. in July.
September 2019: Staff Accomplishment
DOE Awards Presidential Early Career Award to CME Researcher Yogesh Surendranath
Yogi Surendranath was honored with a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers in a ceremony in Washington D.C. in July 2019.
February 2019: Staff Accomplishment
Max Planck Institute Names CME Researcher, Jim Mayer, 2019 Frontiers Award Recipient
Jim Mayer, CME’s thrust lead for heterogeneous interfaces, was recently honored with the 2019 Frontiers Award from the Max Planck Institute. He traveled to Germany to accept the award and give four lectures at the research center.
February 2019: Research Highlight
Mechanism of Iron-based Hydrogen Bond Cleavage Revealed
A first look at hydrogen cleavage by a new route.
February 2019: Research Highlight
Scientists Design Fast, Reversible Bio-inspired Catalysts
New synthetic catalysts mimic desirable enzyme behavior.
2018
October 2018: Research Highlight
For hydrogen power, two metals may be better than one
A novel approach to electrocatalysis divides the chemical labor.
July 2018: Research Highlight
New Approaches to Chemical and Electrical Energy Conversions
PNNL receives additional funding for electrocatalyst research to store and release energy.
April 2018: Research Highlight
Chromium's Crowning Achievement: Breaking Dinitrogen's Triple Bond
Catalyst forms ammonia precursors, valuable for fertilizers, plastics, and fuel.
2017
February 2017: Research Highlight
Transformations: New Initiative in Chemical Transformations, Energy Everywhere, Contradictory Catalyst
The January 2017 issue of the Institute for Integrated Catalysis' (IIC's) Transformations recognizes innovation in catalysis.
February 2017: Research Highlight
The Contradictory Catalyst
Researchers find the key to speeding up the rate of reaction of a potential catalyst for energy storage lies in making the reactive parts of the catalyst move more slowly.
February 2017: Research Highlight
There and Back Again: Catalyst Mediates Energy-Efficient Proton Transport for Reversibility
Designer complex reduces obstacles in creating solar fuels.
2016
August 2016: Research Highlight
Transformations: Fundamental Catalysis Enabling Zero-Carbon-Footprint Future, Scale-up of Aviation Biofuels from Alcohols, Five Cents about Nickel Catalysts
The lead story in the August 2016 issue of the Institute for Integrated Catalysis' (IIC's) Transformations, written by IIC Director Johannes Lercher, describes the potential of catalysis to enable a zero-carbon-footprint future.
July 2016: Research Highlight
The Case of the Cobalt Catalyst
The story's plotline could solve other mysteries around generating electricity without fossil fuels.
June 2016: Research Highlight
Following Nature's Lead: Mimicking Enzymes to Release Energy
Lessons from nature inspire breakthrough in catalyzing electricity from renewable energy.
May 2016: Research Highlight
Catalyze It! Special Issue Highlights Drive for Discoveries at National Labs
Congratulations to the researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and ten other laboratories who have their work featured in a special issue of ACS Catalysis.
May 2016: Research Highlight
Five Cents About Nickel Catalysts
Computational methods and experimental techniques reveal important design principles for future nickel catalysts.
April 2016: Research Highlight
Measuring Up: The Gold Standard for Catalysts in Real World Conditions
Combining 4 well-known reactions precisely predicts how well a catalyst performs.
March 2016: Research Highlight
Chromium Breaks the Toughest of Bonds, with the Right Support
Phosphorus atoms help drive metal to form ammonia, adding insights to turning renewable energy to fuel.
2015
November 2015: Research Highlight
Teaching Reactions How to Navigate
New topographical map shows the energy hills and valleys involved in turning electrons into fuel.
September 2015: Research Highlight
Shoving Protons Around
Review highlights molecular-level work involved in creating a design guide for catalysts for use of sustainable energy.
August 2015: Research Highlight
Two Great Catalysts that Work Great Together
Researchers use materials free of precious metals to speed the troubling side of the fuel cell reaction.
August 2015: Research Highlight
How to Store Sunlight on a Tight Energy Budget: Add More Protons
The reaction to convert solar energy to fuel is 50 times faster with a simple change in the solvent used.
June 2015: Research Highlight
No Catalyst Is an Island
Once thought unimportant, a supporting film actually speeds or derails electricity production.
February 2015: Research Highlight
Transformations: The Value of Catalysis, Top Five List from CME's Last Five Years, Catalytic Choreography
Transformations: The Value of Catalysis, Top Five List from CME's Last Five Years, Catalytic Choreography.
February 2015: Research Highlight
Adventure Planning, Catalyst Style
A new approach shows the molecular consequences of everything from taking unnecessary detours to getting hopelessly lost.
2014
August 2014: Research Highlight
Frontiers in Energy Research Celebrates EFRCs
Check out the latest newsletter issue.
July 2014: Research Highlight
Building the Ideal Rest Stop for Protons
Determining preferences provides insight into molybdenum complex's ability to produce ammonia precursor.
June 2014: Research Highlight
Researchers Propose a Common Yardstick to the Efficiency of Molecular Electrocatalysts
Finding a consistent and accurate overpotential description to compare catalytic performance.
June 2014: Research Highlight
DOE to Renew Energy Frontier Research Center at PNNL
Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis unites experts from many fields to conquer problems in energy production, storage and use.
May 2014: Research Highlight
Predicting Potholes on the Road to Renewable Energy
Storing wind-generated electricity as fuels means catalysts must avoid low energy states.
May 2014: Research Highlight
Getting into the Fast Lane Means Minor Adjustments Far from the Catalyst's Core
Adding an amino acid increases speed by 400% and requires little energy.
April 2014: Research Highlight
Halving Hydrogen
First view of nature-inspired catalyst after ripping hydrogen apart provides insights for better, cheaper fuel cells.
March 2014: Research Highlight
Uncovering the Details of Proton Relays Vital to Creating New Catalysts for Energy Storage
Invited article reviews the science behind proton motion in hydrogen-generating catalysts.
February 2014: Research Highlight
Revving Up Catalysts by Building in Proton-Only Offramp
Simple addition to catalyst's outer edge speeds bond breaking and electron release.
January 2014: Research Highlight
When Less Is More: Fewer Proton Relays Improve Catalytic Rates
First direct comparison of three nickel-based complexes shows complexes with 2 proton relays outperform those with 4.
2013
December 2013: Research Highlight
A Better Bit of Binding
New catalyst-free method decorates electrode with designer molecules for fuel cells, sensors.
August 2013: Research Highlight
New Catalyst Dives into Water to Produce Hydrogen
Earth-abundant metal at heart of material that creates 170,000 molecules a second.
July 2013: Research Highlight
Who Did It Best? Energy Research Explained in 1001 Words
Take a moment and vote in the DOE challenge.
May 2013: Research Highlight
Would You Hire This Catalyst?
New technique allows scientists to directly compare catalysts' efficiency in different situations.
April 2013: Staff Accomplishment
Sharon Hammes-Schiffer Elected to the National Academy of Sciences
Congratulations to Prof. Sharon Hammes-Schiffer, Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis, on being selected as a member of the National Academy of Sciences.
April 2013: Research Highlight
Controlling Proton Source Speeds Catalyst in Turning Electricity into Fuels
Nickel-based catalyst three times faster with adjustments to key acid.
March 2013: Staff Accomplishment
Chemical Society Symposium to Honor Catalysis Research of Dan DuBois
Given his scientific successes and caring personality, the opportunities to speak at the 1.5-day symposium honoring the career of Dr. Dan DuBois, Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis, filled quickly.
February 2013: Research Highlight
Synthetic Molecule First Electricity-Making Catalyst to Use Iron to Split Hydrogen Gas
Fast and efficient biologically inspired catalyst could someday make fuel cells cheaper.
February 2013: Research Highlight
Adding Natural Elements to Synthetic Catalysts Speeds Hydrogen Production
Scientists show how adding amino acids far from a catalyst's center can rev it up.
February 2013: Research Highlight
Proton Delivery and Removal Can Speed or Distract Common Catalyst
Placing protons in the right spot lets catalysts avoid wasting time and energy on profligate reactions.
February 2013: Staff Accomplishment
Morris Bullock Named Geek of the Week
Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis Director Dr. R. Morris Bullock was selected as Geek of the Week.
January 2013: Research Highlight
A Pathway to Protons
Efficient delivery to material's center turns oxygen cleanly into water.
2012
September 2012: Staff Accomplishment
Tianbiao Liu and Morris Bullock Featured in Physics Today
The work of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory scientists, Dr. Tianbiao Liu and Dr. R. Morris Bullock was featured in the September 21 issue of Physics Today.
August 2012: Staff Accomplishment
DuBois Receives National Inorganic Chemistry Award
Congratulations to Dr. Daniel DuBois at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory on receiving the American Chemical Society's Award in Inorganic Chemistry, a prestigious national honor.
July 2012: Staff Accomplishment
Morris Bullock Quoted in National Academy of Science Workshop Report
Dr. Morris Bullock, Director the Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, was quoted in The Role of the Chemical Sciences in Finding Alternatives to Critical Resources: A Workshop Summary.
July 2012: Staff Accomplishment
Chuck Peden and Morris Bullock Named American Chemical Society Fellows
Congratulations to Dr. Chuck Peden and Dr. Morris Bullock at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory on being named American Chemical Society Fellows.
June 2012: Research Highlight
Ionic Liquid Improves Speed and Efficiency of Hydrogen-Producing Catalyst
Ongoing saga of building a better fuel cell catalyst goes holistic.
April 2012: Staff Accomplishment
Monte Helm featured in NewScientist
The work of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's scientist, Dr. Monte Helm and his team was featured in the cover story of the April 16 issue of NewScientist (subscription required).
February 2012: Research Highlight
Catalyst Masters Reverse
New metal catalyst drives hydrogen fuel reaction forwards and backwards.
January 2012: Staff Accomplishment
Wendy Shaw Selected to Attend First U.S-Indonesia Symposium
Congratulations to Dr. Wendy Shaw of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory on being one of 31 distinguished young researchers from the United States selected by the National Academy of Sciences to attend the first Indonesian-American Frontiers of Science symposium that took place in Bogor, Indonesia, in July 2011.
2011
October 2011: Staff Accomplishment
Morris Bullock in Chemical and Engineering News
R. Morris Bullock, Director of the Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis, discussed research carried out at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in an article in C&E News on reducing the nation's reliance on precious metals and rare earths.
September 2011: Research Highlight
Positioning and Pinching Slow Proton Movement in Catalyst
Changing conformations, tight bonds hamper proton movement needed to turn hydrogen into energy.
August 2011: Staff Accomplishment
Bridging the Catalysis Divide
Symposium at American Chemical Society brings together scientists from across the disciplines
August 2011: Research Highlight
Catalyst That Makes Hydrogen Gas Breaks Speed Record
Material designed for energy applications is10 times faster than natural enzyme, uses inexpensive metals.
July 2011: Research Highlight
Scientists Develop World's Fastest Nickel-Based Complex
Improves rates of hydrogen production.
May 2011: Staff Accomplishment
Wendy Shaw Featured in DOE Blog
Dr. Wendy Shaw, at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, was featured on the Department of Energy's Energy Blog.
April 2011: Research Highlight
Designing Catalysts with Pendant Amines
Review covers how to relay protons for hydrogen production, oxidation.
February 2011: Staff Accomplishment
Roger Rousseau Elected to Advise National User Facility
Congratulations to Dr. Roger J. Rousseau, Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Institute for Integrated Catalysis, on being elected to the User Advisory Committee at the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory.
January 2011: Research Highlight
Using Hydrogenase Enzymes to Guide Creating Fast and Efficient Molecular Electrocatalysts
In an invited review article in the MRS Bulletin, scientists from the Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis discuss the role and need to control proton movement in potential solar devices.
January 2011: Research Highlight
Catalysis Science, Scientists Featured on PBS Interstitial Video
Challenges and progress in converting intermittent, renewable energy sources into fuel discussed.
2010
December 2010: Research Highlight
An Assessment of Theoretical Methods for Homogeneous Nickel Catalysts for H2 Oxidation and Production
The rational design of improved catalysts requires a detailed molecular-level understanding of the energetic and mechanistic factors controlling the activity of existing catalysts.
Chemical & Engineering News
December 2010:
Nickel Complex Research Featured in Chemical & Engineering News
An improved nickel diphosphine complex speeds up key fuel-cell reaction.
November 2010: Research Highlight
A Fast Electrocatalyst for Oxidation of Hydrogen
New results reported in Chemical Communications describe the synthesis, structure, and catalytic reactivity of a nickel complex that is the fastest molecular electrocatalyst for oxidation of hydrogen.
October 2010: Staff Accomplishment
Kicking the Precious Metal Habit
Morris Bullock edited a book edited a book on replacing precious metal catalysts with iron, nickel and other earth-abundant metals.
July 2010: Staff Accomplishment
Daniel DuBois Selected as Laboratory Fellow
Dr. Daniel DuBois was chosen as a Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Fellow, the highest rank our science and engineering staff can attain.
May 2010: Staff Accomplishment
Reaching Out to the Next Generation of Scientists
Researchers used elephant toothpaste and diet soda to explain catalysis to local students.
February 2010: Staff Accomplishment
Wendy Shaw Awarded Early Career Grant for Catalysis Research
Wendy Shaw received a prestigious DOE Early Career Research Program grant to fund her work in designing effective, inexpensive catalysts that mimic enzymes.
2009
December 2009: Staff Accomplishment
Bruce Parkinson Named 2009 AAAS Fellow
Congratulations to our unviersity collaborator Bruce Parkinson, University of Wyoming, on being elected a AAAS Fellow.
May 2009: News Feature
DOE To Establish Energy Frontier Research Center at PNNL
Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis to study catalysts for solar energy, fuel cells.
January 2009: Staff Accomplishment
Michel Dupuis Elected AAAS Fellow
Congratulations to Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Dr. Michel Dupuis on being named a Fellow in the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
2008
December 2008: Staff Accomplishment
Roger Rousseau and Team Awarded 4 Million Hours on Supercomputers to Study Water's Chemistry
Team Awarded 4 Million Hours on Supercomputers to Study Water's Chemistry.
December 2008: Staff Accomplishment
Sharon Hammes-Schiffer Receives American Chemical Society Akron Section Award
SHARON HAMMES-SCHIFFER, Eberly Professor of Biotechnology and professor of chemistry at Pennsylvania State University, is the recipient of the 30th annual Akron Section Award of ACS.