Molecular Energy and Environmental Science: A Workshop Sponsored by The National Science Foundation and The Department of Energy May 26-27, 1999 in Rosemont, Illinois
- Northwestern Univ., Evanston, IL (United States)
- University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Michigan State Univ., East Lansing, MI (United States)
Energy and the environment pose major scientific and technological challenges for the 21st century. New technologies for increasing the efficiency of harvesting and utilizing energy resources are essential to the nation’s economic competitiveness. At the same time, the quality of life in the United States depends inherently on the environmental impact of energy production and utilization. This interdependence makes it imperative to develop a better understanding of the environment and new strategies for minimizing the impact of energy-related activities. Recent advances in techniques for the synthesis and characterization of chemicals and materials and for the molecular control of biological organisms make it possible, for the first time, to address this imperative. Chemistry, with its focus on the molecular level, plays a central role in addressing the needs for fundamental understanding and technology development in both the energy and environmental fields. Understanding environmental processes and consequences requires studying natural systems, rather than focussing exclusively on laboratory models. Natural systems and their complexity pose an enormous, perhaps the ultimate, challenge to chemists, and will provide them with varied and exciting new problems for years to come. In addition, the complexity of the underlying systems and processes often requires multi-disciplinary programs that bridge the interfaces between chemistry and other disciplines. (See Figure 1) This has ramifications in the approach to funding research and suggests needs for broadening the educational training of future scientists and engineers in these programs. Figure 1. NSF and DOE should consider sponsoring research centers and focused research groups organized to optimize their impact on Technological Challenges of national interest. The research will have significant impact if it addresses issues of fundamental molecular science in one or more Enabling Research Areas. Approximately 7 research centers and 40 collaborative research groups are needed at a total annual funding level of $30 Million. Technological Challenges 1. Energy 2. Chemical Synthesis & Processing 3. Clean Air 4. Clean Water 5. Clean Earth Enabling Research Areas A. Materials Synthesis & Nanoscience B. Metallo-Enzymes & Metal Chelators C. Interfacial Science, Corrosion & Separations D. Catalysis/Biocatalysis E. Alternative Solvents F. Waste Treatment G. Supporting Capabilities & Technologies The body of this report provides examples of the Technological Challenges and Enabling Research Areas relevant to energy and the environment. The report
- Research Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC) (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
- OSTI ID:
- 1302242
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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