Seminars

Converting CO₂ to value-added chemicals and fuels is one of the most practical routes for reducing CO₂ emissions while fossil fuels continue to dominate the energy sector in the near future. In this talk we will present several routes in catalytic CO₂ conversion: (1) CO₂ hydrogenation by thermocatalysis, (2) simultaneous upgrading of CO₂ and shale gas, (3) CO₂ reduction by electrocatalysis, and (4) tandem electrocatalysis-thermocatalysis for CO₂ valorization. We will use these examples to highlight the importance of combining experimental studies, in situ characterization and density functional theory calculations for the mechanistic understanding of CO₂ conversion. We will use the hydrogenation of CO₂ to methanol as an example to illustrate challenges in achieving a net-reduction of CO₂ by performing mass and energy balance analysis. We will demonstrate the application of chemical engineering principles, including thermodynamics, kinetics and transport, to the catalytic conversion of CO₂.

Jingguang Chen is the Thayer Lindsley Professor of Chemical Engineering at Columbia University, with a joint appointment at Brookhaven National Laboratory. He started his academic career at the University of Delaware and rose to the rank of the Claire LeClaire Professor of Chemical Engineering and the Director of the Center for Catalytic Science and Technology. He is the co-author of over 500 journal publications and over 20 United States patents. He is the President of the North American Catalysis Society and an Executive Editor of ACS Catalysis.  He received many awards, including the George Olah Award on Hydrocarbon Chemistry from the American Chemical Society and the R.H. Wilhelm Award on Chemical Reaction Engineering from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering.

*Refreshments will be provided plus a chance to talk with the speaker after their seminar till 5pm.