Conference Highlights Breadth of Diversity in Catalysis Research

Cardiff Catalysis Institute’s (CCI) 7th annual conference (Jan 22), focused on advances in the science of chemical change, attracted international experts from industry and academia with guest speakers including Presenters Nuria Lopez, Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia; Glenn Sunley, BP Group Research and Chloé Thieuleux from the University of Lyon; Angelika Brückner, from the Leibniz Institute for Catalysis, delivered the Dr Peter Williams Memorial Lecture.

Created with an initial £2.8m investment from the University, the Institute offers areas of expertise in photocatalysis, renewable fuel synthesis and exhaust after-treatment, while maintaining a global reputation in catalyst design. Under the leadership of CCI Director Professor Duncan Wass, the Institute will find a new home in the Translational Research Facility on Cardiff Innovation Campus in 2021.

“Catalysis is a vibrant area of research that is crucial for many current industry sectors and will be even more critical in delivering translational research to enable clean growth,” said Professor Wass. “The Translational Research Facility will give us the tools to broaden the science of catalysis, help us engage more readily with industry, funders and policy makers and allow us to broaden our membership to engage with multidisciplinary researchers who bring complementary expertise and opportunities.”

At the conference Professor Glenn Sunley from BP said: “This meeting highlights the full diversity of catalysis research, including the important contribution of researchers to industry.  We work in partnership with the CCI and see this industry-academic relationship as crucial in driving innovation.”

Since 2014, the CCI has raised over £20 million in research income and published over 800 papers; its current five-year strategy will build on closer industry partnerships and interdisciplinary collaborations, which includes strategic alliances with the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Queen's Belfast and UCL. CCI played a key role in the creation of the UK Catalysis Hub, which brings together expertise from most UK universities active in catalysis.

For information visit Cardiff Catalysis Institute at: www.cardiff.ac.uk