Catalysis

Alexis Bell elected to Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)

December 2, 2025
The prestigious academy has recognized Professor Bell for his fundamental and sustained contributions to the field of catalysis.

Professor John Hartwig awarded the 2019 Wolf Prize in Chemistry

January 16, 2019

professors John Hartwig and Stephen Buchwal awarded 2019 Wolf PrizeIt was announced today that the 2019 Wolf Prize for Chemistry has been awarded to professors John F. Hartwig from University of California at Berkeley and Stephen L. Buchwald from MIT, for the development of efficient transition-metal catalysts that have revolutionized drug manufacturing, leading to breakthrough in molecule and synthetics design.

Peidong Yang's lab awarded CO2 challenge grant from NASA

May 22, 2019

A team of researchers from the lab of Peidong Yang have received a phase one grant for their project to develop an integrated system to synthesize sugars from CO2. NASA is preparing to land humans on the Moon in 2024, the agency is keeping a keen eye on technologies needed for Mars missions that will follow. New technologies will be needed to sustain human life as we move out into the stars.

Graphene-based catalyst improves peroxide production

August 28, 2018
Scientists formulated and characterized a graphene-based electrocatalyst that potentially makes the production of hydrogen peroxide more selective, efficient, and cost effective.

Gabor A. Somorjai has passed away at the age of 90.

July 8, 2025
It is with tremendous sadness that we share the news that Gabor Somorjai has passed away.

John Hartwig awarded Frontiers of Knowledge Award

March 25, 2025
The BBVA Award recognized key advances in catalysis that enable "control and acceleration of chemical reactions," improving efficiency and reducing energy consumption across various industrial processes.

UC Berkeley scientists collaborate with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany on catalyst digital design program

May 31, 2023
Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, has today announced a three-year collaboration with the research group of John Hartwig at UC Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

First natural enzyme creates azides from scratch

September 30, 2024
A team of researchers reported the discovery of the first natural enzyme capable of creating complex molecules, azides, from simpler molecules, which could lead to safer drug development and biological research.

New process vaporizes plastic bags and bottles, yielding gases to make new, recycled plastics

August 29, 2024
The catalytic process, discovered by researchers at UC Berkeley, efficiently reduces polymers to chemical precursors, bringing a circular economy for plastics one step closer to reality.

Scientists finally crack nature’s most common chemical bond

May 26, 2020

catalyst based on iridium

Illustration: A catalyst (center) based on iridium (blue ball) can snip a hydrogen atom (white balls) off a terminal methyl group (upper and lower left) to add a boron-oxygen compound (pink and red) that is easily swapped out for more complicated chemical groups. The reaction works on simple hydrocarbon chains (top reaction) or more complicated carbon compounds (bottom reaction)....