The UCSB campus strength in modern heterogeneous
catalysis is emerging rapidly, with strategic leveraging of the outstanding
position the campus already possesses in the area of materials research.
Existing programs of Alec Wodtke
(surface chemical dynamics), Horia Metiu
(theoretical analysis of heterogeneous catalysis), Steven K.
Buratto (ion soft landing, interface fabrication, and UHV scanning probe
methods) and Eric W.
McFarland (surface reactions and surface chemistry based chemical sensors)
are joined by several recent appointments including Dr. Susannah Scott
(chemistry, kinetics and chemical design of heterogeneous catalysts), Martin
Moskovits (nanofabrication of chemically active interfaces and optical characterization
of interfaces) and Matthias
Scheffler (electronic structure theory of complex materials). This rapidly
growing campus expertise is spread across several departments in sciences and
engineering (Chemistry, Physics, Materials, Chemical Engineering) reflecting
the hallmark of UCSB's renowned interdisciplinary research environment, which
derives its vigor from the synergism between fundamental science and engineering.The Dalian
Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP)
is a multi-disciplinary research institute, committed to basic and applied
research, with strengths in basic chemical science, technology development and
industrial applications. Its specialties include catalytic chemistry,
engineering chemistry, chemical lasers and molecular reaction dynamics. The
DICP is home to the State Key Laboratory of Molecular Dynamics (SKLMD), whose
research areas include collision reaction dynamics of atoms, ions and free
radicals, laser-induced molecular reaction dynamics, laser spectroscopy and
molecular energy transfer. The DICP is also home to the State Key Laboratory of
Catalysis (SKLC),
whose focus is the investigation of new catalytic reactions, new catalytic materials
and new catalyst characterization techniques. DICP researchers emphasize in
situ characterization under dynamic conditions of catalytically active
phases, active sites and reaction mechanisms, and the development of catalysts
for the conversion of light alkanes, catalytic synthesis of fine chemicals and
environmental catalysis. It is a vibrant and growing institution with 590
staff-people, including 76 professors of whom 50 are younger than the age of
45. DICP presently has over 400 PhD students and more than 250 master's
students. The DICP has a strong tradition and interest in international
collaborations with academic and technological cooperation and exchange
relations with institutions in 32 countries. Simply put, the DICP is the
premier Chinese scientific institute for the study of catalysis and
chemical dynamics and makes it an excellent choice to partner with the
catalysis community on the UCSB campus.
The UCSB-DICP Partnership
will focus the complementary research strengths of each institution on emerging
problems in chemical dynamics and in heterogeneous catalysis. The philosophy of
the Partnership is founded in our conviction that there is much to be gained by
fostering convergence between the disciplines of reaction dynamics, surface
chemistry and reaction engineering. In reaction dynamics, atomistic,
state-specific explanations for reactions are developed from first principles,
while surface chemistry encompasses state-averaged, complex reaction kinetics
and mechanisms. Reaction engineering incorporates the coupling of intrinsic
kinetics with mass and heat transport phenomena, with the aim of optimizing
catalytic performance. The UCSB-DICP collaboration will stimulate
cross-fertilization between these fields, in pursuit of insight into catalytic
behavior and, ultimately, the ability to undertake rational catalyst design.
The formation of an
international interdisciplinary team of scientists engaged in graduate research
and education, empowered by a vibrant and strongly funded student exchange
program, will provide outstanding opportunities for training scientists and
engineers in a new and unique way, offering forefront technical training while
simultaneously providing cultural experiences that will profoundly shape the
outlook, skill-set, employability and leadership potential of students emerging
from this program.