グローバル教養科目（Catalytic Processes for a Sustainable World）

【Please note that you are assessed on a five-level scale of A+, A, B, C, or F/Fail in this course.】

Catalysis and its associated processes are ubiquitous in our industrialized society and are set to play a vital role in the realization of a low carbon society. Both economic and environmental considerations have driven a substantial amount of funding into catalysis research. Economic factors are related to the need for renewable and sustainable substitutes for conventional fossil-based sources, while environmental concerns are rooted in the imminent threat of climate change induced by the release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. These issues are global and countries around the world have invested a substantial amount of capital to support research into related areas, such as renewable energy, infrastructure development, water management, greenhouse gas reduction, waste management, among others. The broad scope of these topics underscores the importance of a low carbon society and the urgency being shown to address it.
In this course, students will be introduced to basic concepts of catalysis, explore academic literature in the field of sustainable and environmental catalysis, and discuss development of energy technologies, systems, and policies geared towards addressing prevailing environmental and energy issues. The goal is to develop students’ awareness of topical research areas by focusing on meaningful strides that have been made in the development of new catalytic processes and examining future challenges.
The course will be in two parts: the Autumn semester will focus on biorefineries, the capture, storage, and utilization of carbon dioxide, and the use of ammonia as a sustainable, reliable, carbon-free energy carrier; the Summer semester will focus on organic synthesis, environmental catalysis (air remediation and water treatment), and electrocatalysis.