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The traditional distinctions between industry and academic disciplines are being superseded to further advance technologies in catalysis. This was evident from the discussions at the 11th International Congress on Catalysis held on Jul 1996. Two examples of the advantages of cross-disciplinary research are the selective isomerization of n-butene, a methyl tert-butyl ether precursor, and the method of reducing the wax content of lubricating oils.

The chemical industry is conducting extensive research on chemical reaction engineering to pave the way to the commercialization of new technologies. The industry, believes that this discipline covers issues ranging from molecular engineering to industrial plant design, is key to the initiation of technology transfer on an industry-wide level. They also claim that this approach will bridge the gap between laboratory and industrial procedures.

Argonne National Laboratory is dedicating its new Advanced Photon Source facility for producing high-brilliance X-ray beams on its 50th anniversary on May 6, 1996. The X-ray beams will be employed for research in materials science, molecular biology and environmental science by a group of scientists called the Collaborative Access Teams. Since the X-rays generated will be 10,000 times stronger than ordinary X-rays, they can be utilized to examine materials down to the atomic level.

Politics and catalysis research were the two underlying themes of the European Federation of Catalysis Societies' second European Congress on Catalysis. The event, which drew 850 participants from 38 countries to Maastricht, Holland, provided a venue for chemists working on catalysis to articulate the need for increased government support and the presentation of solutions to catalyst research problems.

The Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology was conceived when University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) officials formed faculty groups to spearhead interdisciplinary research for engineering, physical and behavioral sciences. The move was then supported by university alumnus Arnold O. Beckman and the Illinois Legislature, which combined for a $50 million contribution. The institute has since evolved as a collaborative basic research center.

The Netherlands Institute for Catalysis Research (NIOK) was established in Jan. 1994 as an institution for applied and fundamental chemical research. A recent peer review of its first year of operations shows that the NIOK has performed quite well despite problems concerning financing for some programs and academic freedom. A brief overview of NIOK and its initial year is presented and discussed.

The 13th International Symposium on Chemical Reaction Engineering in Baltimore, Maryland, highlighted the increasing applications of the engineering technique using computational and instrumental innovations. Modern reaction engineering has led to the creation of new active catalysts for the industry. The chemical process has also advanced beyond its initial applications in reactor design and processing.

Chemical manufacturers are interested in organometallic catalysis in aqueous media. Research has proven that transition-metal catalysis in aqueous media allows higher activity and better selectivity than in hydrocarbon media. However, problems are being encountered concerning the process, such as the insistence of environmental groups that more attention be given to the process due to the minimal effect of water on the environment. Researchers point out that environmental advantages offered by water are usually due togood chemistry rather than from the intrinsic properties of water itself.

The CatCon '94 commercial catalyst and process industry conference held on Jun. 1994 in Philadelphia, PA, showed that the catalysis and development sector is concerned over the lack of funds and disciplinary direction for industrial catalysis R&D. Europe and Japan were also commended for their achievements in catalysis research and applications. More support for research on the use of catalysis for environmental projects and consumer appliances was also urged.

Research on catalysis is increasing due to its important role in environmentally benign chemical process design. Ideal catalysis would be benign to the environment because it would be perfectly selective and require only reactants as media. Although improved catalysts would equate to increased costs, it would also lead to lesser liability for environmental damages.

The US-Russia Workshop on Environmental Catalysis held on Jan 1994 in Wilmington, DE, mirrored the increasingly important role of catalysis on environmental improvement. One area of growing interest in catalytic research is biomimetic catalysis, which was greatly discussed during the workshop. The Russians also revealed results of research on heterogeneous catalysis in the troposphere and redox catalysis in natural water.

The European Federation of Catalysis Societies promotes increasing importance of catalysis by featuring the discipline's contributions to science and technology. The 1st European Congress on Catalysis was then held in Sept 1993 in Montpellier, France. The topics mentioned by the keynote speakers include the role of catalysis in petrochemicals production, petroleum refining, natural gas conversion, asymmetric synthesis and reactive membranes.

Catalytic chemists want to call worldwide attention to the importance of their science so that they can obtain funding to advance their research. The European Federation of Catalysis Societies, which includes representatives of 25 countries, was founded in 1990 to promote catalysis. Japanese professor Makoto Misono said interest in catalysis has dropped in his country, although improvement is necessary. Scientist James F. Roth urged researchers to focus on his list of 10 unmet catalysis needs, and he recommended the establishment of a US institute of catalysis.

Four US companies are investigating the potential of powerplants based on electrochemical fuels. Such fuels could benefit the environment while providing reduced production costs for utilities. Almost all developed countries are implementing a fuel-cell development program focusing on four major fuel cell types, molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFC), phosphoric acid fuel cells, solid oxide fuel cells and polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC). MCFCs are becoming the preferred type for commercial electric power production, while PEFCs are being eyed for vehicle propulsion.

DuPont Central R&D senior research associates Pratibha L. Gai and Edward D. Boyes have developed an in situ technique for atomic-scale direct probing of interactions between gas molecules and solid surfaces. The technique enables detection of real-time changes in composition, transient species and crystallographic phase. It is being used to develop commercial catalytic systems and is also providing more insights on surface structure and its influence in catalysis.

Hungary's pharmaceutical sector has been one of the bright spots in the country's economy, in most part due to its integration into the national health care system. However, the Hungarian government has stepped up its privatization effort and the industry stands to lose its captive domestic market amid increasing competition from foreign firms. Hungarian pharmaceutical firms are turning to a variety of strategies, including joint ventures and foreign investment, to help them address their long-term concerns.

The Hungarian chemical research sector has been adversely affected by the lack of funds and by the significant changes being implemented by the government. Several new laws have been enacted which changes Hungary's high education accreditation system. In addition, the slow pace of privatization among many Hungarian chemical facilities have significantly reduced available funding for chemical research and development.

Two catalytic processes are being developed to lessen pollution caused by methanol and plant exhaust gases. The methanol process, developed by Lurgie Ol-Gas-Chemie, involves the conversion of carbon dioxide into methanol using a gas made of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Meanwhile, the Boreskov Institute of Catalysis in Novsibirsk, Russia has developed a catalytic reverse processing method using a composite bed of inert granular solids to decontaminate gas containing volatile organic compounds.

A National Research Council committee has proposed some general guidelines to be used in evaluating in-situ bioremediation projects. These guidelines have been drafted to ensure the quality of bioremediation services being offered by a growing number of vendors, the majority of which prey on uninformed victims. The committee recognizes two types of in-situ bioremediation, namely intrinsic and engineered. Engineered bioremediation reputedly works faster and presents lower potential liability for the concerned parties than intrinsic bioremediation.

Government and industry leaders in Australia are seeking ways of reviving the chemical industry which is suffering an economic crisis. None of the chemical plants are of world scale and the samll domestic market is a disadvantage in international competition.

Air Products & Chemicals Inc has created a family of catalysts by using methane with oxygen that would effectively diminish nitrogen oxide emissions in combustion exhaust streams. The method uses metal-exhanged crystalline zeolites and reducing agent methane. Exchanged metals used are cobalt, nickel, iron, chromium and manganese with cobalt being the most effective in reducing nitrogen oxides.

Seven universities in the Netherlands are conducting different catalysis researches coordinated and funded by the Insitute for Catalysis Research. Delft University of Technology is developing high-temperature inorganic membrane reactors. Eindhoven University of Technology is involved with direct conversion of methane to higher hydrocarbons and other practical products. The University of Amsterdam, on the other hand, has researches on base metals such as copper and chromium which can be used as alternative automobile catalytic converters.

Environmental restrictions are necessitating further research on catalysis to create future environmentally-sound oil refineries. Catalysis is an important factor in developing and modifying processes of fuel production. In line with this fact, research is currently underway on improving catalytic crackers. Natural gas is also seen as the fuel source of the future and research is also being conducted to obtain and process this fuel.

The government of the Netherlands and seven Dutch universities conspired to form the Netherlands Institute for Catalysis Research (NIOK). The institute aims to organize and fund research on catalysis and to educate students on the field of chemical catalysis. NIOK outlines four objectives that involve the significant participation of the seven universities, the improvement of quality and quantity of catalysis research in the country, the application of results of catalysis research in societal needs and the integration of NIOK programs with EC projects.