Grant: Alliance Grants

COP26 made it abundantly clear that we need to get to a zero-carbon world as quickly as possible. Our technological civilization depends on activities that have significant environmental impact, in no small part due to production and consumption generating emissions from necessary catalytic reactions. Improving these reactions centres around making catalysts work with the highest conversions at low temperatures to achieve the greatest efficiency and lowest energy cost. This proposal builds on my >10-year collaboration with Toyota's Catalytic Materials group where together we have pioneered new emissions science and made new nanocatalysts with unrivalled performance. This proposal will enable groundbreaking research that will address the grand challenges of useful nanocatalysts that see widespread application for reducing CO2 emissions. Technology has been the source of the climate crisis, and technology can come to the rescue. My HQP will work with Toyota and make far-reaching advances in new waste- to-wealth processes (CO2 hydrogenation catalyzed into value-added chemicals) and original ways to convert fossil fuels into electricity while doing carbon-capture without significant cost/efficiency penalties (chemical looping). Quantum control of nanocatalysts that my HQP design and make will unravel the fundamental mechanisms. This knowledge in alliance with Toyota will overcome current technical and applications challenges. This program will have at least 5 more HQP training in my lab where all work in an inclusive and supportive environment. Everyone endeavours to reduce existing inequities in STEM. HQP will also be trained by Toyota scientists and engineers, and use facilities like the Canadian Light Source. HQP will learn skills that serve them well in careers in Canada's high tech services and industries. Crucially, HQP will grow their creativity and develop a deep sense of social context and responsibility; key aptitudes for leaders in Canada's growing renewable resources and Green economy.