Our modern world requires access to vast amounts of energy, materials and medicines that nature does not deliver in practically accessible forms. The Industrial Revolution, Digital Revolution and current “green energy” revolution require us to produce and distribute vast quantities of specific molecules to function as individuals and a society … and do so affordably. The energy required to make some of the needed molecules from nature’s starting
materials is too high to practically and affordably transform them into beneficial substances.
This is where catalysis comes in. Catalysts are a special class of molecules that can repeatedly reduce these energy barriers, like finding a low-altitude pass-through within an alpine mountain range. We will discuss the home runs in catalysis — those that have already transformed our modern world as well as promising prospects for catalysts that could help with pressing issues. Join us for Vice President Sewell’s conversation with Dr. Jeff White about why catalysts are key to transforming these huge problems into manageable tasks.
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