Predicting Potholes on the Road to Renewable Energy
Scientists at the Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis (CME) devised a new computation-based method to predict the catalytic intermediates that could represent a thermodynamic sink.
Getting into the Fast Lane Means Minor Adjustments Far from the Catalyst's Core
Taking a cue from enzymes, researchers at PNNL placed the amino acid arginine at the periphery of a hydrogen-splitting catalyst that cleaves hydrogen into protons and electrons.
Halving Hydrogen
Like ripping open a dinner roll, a fuel cell catalyst that converts hydrogen into electricity must tear open a hydrogen molecule. Now researchers have captured a view of such a catalyst holding onto the two halves of its hydrogen feast.
Uncovering the Details of Proton Relays Vital to Creating New Catalysts for Energy Storage
In their invited review for Chemical Communications, Dr. R. Morris Bullock, Dr. Aaron Appel, and Dr. Monte Helm at PNNL describe how proton relays and other factors influence the catalysts that produce the desired chemical bonds.
Revving Up Catalysts by Building in Proton-Only Offramp
Using their understanding of a proton's choices, CME researchers revised their nickel-based catalyst to quickly handle one of a fuel cell's tough challenges: breaking chemical bonds and freeing the stored electrons to work.
When Less Is More: Fewer Proton Relays Improve Catalytic Rates
By directly comparing three closely related catalysts, CME scientists established that hydrogen production speed and efficiency are influenced by the molecules' structure and proton relay arrangement, not the total number relays.
Online Diagnostics Make Analyzing Modeled Atmospheric Processes Easier and More Efficient
A newly developed tool helps researchers analyze process-level relationships within atmospheric models.
A Better Bit of Binding
In studying how to modify carbon electrodes for catalyzed reactions, scientists at the Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis designed a process for creating a plethora of specialized electrodes at room temperature.
New Catalyst Dives into Water to Produce Hydrogen
Few catalysts are energy efficient, highly active, stable and operate in water, but a nickel-based catalyst designed at the Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis at PNNL quickly produces hydrogen molecules in solutions with 75 percent water
Who Did It Best? Energy Research Explained in 1001 Words
In the 1001 Word Challenge, the U.S. Department of Energy invited the 46 Energy Frontier Research Centers to represent their science using cartoons, photos, and original paintings. Check out the entries, including one by CME.