Scientific Sessions

Catalytic materials play a crucial role in accelerating chemical reactions by lowering activation energy without being consumed in the process. These materials are broadly categorized into homogeneous, heterogeneous, and enzymatic catalysts, each offering unique advantages depending on the reaction type and environment. Metal catalysts such as platinum, palladium, and nickel are widely used in industrial processes, while metal oxides, zeolites, and nanostructured materials provide high surface area and tunable active sites for efficient catalysis. The development of nano-catalysts and supported catalysts has further enhanced activity, selectivity, and stability, making them vital for applications in energy conversion, green chemistry, and environmental remediation.

The mechanisms of catalysis involve the adsorption of reactants on active sites, transformation through intermediate species, and subsequent desorption of products, allowing the catalyst to regenerate. Understanding these mechanisms at the molecular level helps in designing more effective catalysts with improved efficiency. Advanced techniques such as in-situ spectroscopy, computational modeling, and surface analysis provide insights into reaction pathways and kinetics. Emerging fields like photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and biocatalysis integrate principles of physics, chemistry, and biology to develop sustainable catalytic systems. Overall, the study of catalytic materials and mechanisms is central to innovation in chemical engineering, environmental protection, and renewable energy technologies.

Key Highlights

• Site-based classification of major cancer types
• Clinical features of breast and chest wall cancers
• Lung and thoracic malignancies: diagnosis and staging
• Gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, and pancreatic cancers overview
• Gynecological and genitourinary cancer patterns

Why This Session Is Important

• Improves understanding of cancers based on anatomical origin
• Supports accurate site-specific diagnosis and staging
• Guides appropriate treatment planning by cancer location
• Enhances multidisciplinary coordination in oncology care
• Promotes personalized, evidence-based management strategies

Catalysis is fundamental to modern chemical synthesis, enabling the efficient and selective formation of desired products while minimizing waste and energy consumption. In both academic and industrial settings, catalysts are used to drive reactions that would otherwise proceed too slowly or require harsh conditions. Homogeneous catalysis, often involving transition metal complexes, offers precise control over reaction selectivity, making it valuable for fine chemical and pharmaceutical synthesis. On the other hand, heterogeneous catalysis, where the catalyst and reactants are in different phases, is preferred for large-scale industrial production due to its ease of separation and reusability. Biocatalysis, employing enzymes or whole cells, represents a sustainable approach that leverages nature’s efficiency for green and eco-friendly chemical transformations.

Catalytic methods are essential in key synthetic processes such as hydrogenation, oxidation, polymerization, and carbon–carbon coupling reactions. The development of asymmetric catalysis has revolutionized the synthesis of chiral compounds, crucial in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries. Advances in nanocatalysis and photocatalysis have opened new possibilities for designing more active, selective, and stable catalysts. Moreover, combining computational chemistry and mechanistic studies aids in understanding and predicting catalytic behavior, accelerating the discovery of novel systems. Overall, catalysis for chemical synthesis not only enhances process efficiency and product quality but also contributes to sustainable development by reducing environmental impact and resource consumption.

Key Highlights

• Catalytic approaches for organic and inorganic synthesis
• Improving reaction efficiency, yield, and selectivity
• Sustainable and green synthesis methodologies
• Catalyst design for complex molecule synthesis
• Applications in pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, and materials

Why This Session Is Important

• Strengthens understanding of catalyst-driven synthesis
• Supports sustainable and scalable chemical production
• Enhances innovation in synthetic chemistry and process development
• Bridges academic research with industrial applications
• Promotes efficient, cost-effective synthesis strategies

Chemical Engineering is a multidisciplinary field that integrates principles of chemistry, physics, biology, and mathematics to design, develop, and optimize processes for producing valuable materials and products. It focuses on transforming raw materials into useful commodities such as fuels, pharmaceuticals, polymers, food, and specialty chemicals in an efficient, safe, and sustainable manner. Core areas of study include thermodynamics, reaction engineering, transport phenomena, and process control, which together form the foundation for designing and operating chemical plants. Chemical engineers play a vital role in scaling up laboratory research to industrial production, ensuring that processes are both economically viable and environmentally responsible.

In recent years, the scope of chemical engineering has expanded beyond traditional manufacturing to include emerging fields such as biotechnology, nanotechnology, materials science, and renewable energy systems. Chemical engineers are at the forefront of developing green technologies, including carbon capture, waste valorization, and sustainable energy solutions like hydrogen production and biofuel synthesis. The use of computational modeling, process simulation, and artificial intelligence has enhanced process optimization and innovation. Overall, chemical engineering serves as a bridge between scientific discovery and industrial application, driving progress across multiple sectors and contributing significantly to global technological and environmental advancements.

Key Highlights

• Core principles of chemical engineering and process design
• Reaction engineering and reactor design
• Separation technologies and process optimization
• Scale-up from lab to industrial production
• Applications across chemicals, energy, and materials industries

Why This Session Is Important

• Strengthens understanding of fundamental chemical engineering concepts
• Supports efficient and safe process design and optimization
• Bridges research innovations with industrial-scale applications
• Promotes sustainable and energy-efficient engineering solutions
• Enhances problem-solving skills for real-world engineering challenges

Catalysis plays a pivotal role in converting renewable resources into sustainable fuels, chemicals, and energy, addressing the growing need for environmentally friendly alternatives to fossil-based materials. Biomass, a primary renewable resource, can be transformed into biofuels, biochemicals, and hydrogen through catalytic processes such as hydrolysis, transesterification, pyrolysis, and gasification. Heterogeneous catalysts, including metal oxides, supported metals, and zeolites, are commonly employed to improve conversion efficiency and selectivity, while enzymatic and biocatalytic systems offer mild and eco-friendly pathways for producing high value chemicals from renewable feedstocks.

Emerging catalytic technologies also enable photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and photoelectrochemical processes for harnessing solar and electrical energy to generate fuels like hydrogen and syngas from water, CO2, and biomass derivatives. Understanding the mechanisms of catalysis and the interaction between active sites and reactants is crucial for designing robust and scalable systems. Integration of nanocatalysts, computational modeling, and process intensification techniques further enhances performance, making renewable catalysis a cornerstone of the circular economy. Overall, catalysis for renewable sources contributes significantly to sustainable energy production, environmental protection, and the development of a low-carbon future.

Zeolites are crystalline microporous aluminosilicate materials that have become indispensable in catalysis due to their unique structural, chemical, and textural properties. Their uniform pore size, high surface area, and tunable acidity allow zeolites to act as highly selective catalysts in numerous chemical processes. They are widely used in petroleum refining, petrochemical synthesis, and environmental applications, facilitating reactions such as hydrocracking, isomerization, alkylation, and adsorption of pollutants. The ability to modify zeolite frameworks by introducing different metal ions or functional groups enhances their catalytic activity and selectivity for specific reactions.

The catalytic mechanisms of zeolites rely on the confinement of reactant molecules within their pores, which promotes selective transformation while minimizing side reactions. Both Brønsted and Lewis acid sites present in zeolites play a crucial role in protonation and electron transfer during chemical reactions. Advances in nano-zeolites, hierarchical structures, and composite materials have further improved diffusion, accessibility, and stability, making them suitable for modern applications like biomass conversion, green chemistry, and sustainable energy production. By combining experimental studies with computational modeling, researchers can design zeolites with tailored properties to meet specific industrial and environmental needs, positioning them as a cornerstone in catalytic science.

Key Highlights

• Fundamentals of zeolite structures and properties
• Zeolite-based catalysts for chemical synthesis
• Shape-selective catalysis and reaction selectivity
• Industrial applications in petrochemicals and refining
• Advances in zeolite synthesis and modification

Why This Session Is Important

• Enhances understanding of zeolite materials in catalysis
• Supports efficient and selective catalytic processes
• Bridges fundamental research with industrial applications
• Promotes innovation in porous catalytic materials
• Advances sustainable and high-performance catalysis technologies

Catalysis is broadly classified into homogeneous and heterogeneous systems based on the phase of the catalyst relative to the reactants. In homogeneous catalysis, the catalyst and reactants exist in the same phase, usually liquid. This allows for uniform mixing, intimate contact, and precise control over reaction conditions, resulting in high selectivity and efficiency. Common examples include transition metal complexes in organic synthesis and acid/base catalysts in esterification or hydrolysis reactions. Homogeneous catalysts are particularly valuable in fine chemical and pharmaceutical industries, where product specificity and stereoselectivity are crucial. However, challenges such as catalyst recovery and separation often limit their large-scale application.

In contrast, heterogeneous catalysis involves catalysts in a different phase, typically solid catalysts interacting with gaseous or liquid reactants. These catalysts, including metals, metal oxides, zeolites, and supported catalysts, offer advantages like ease of separation, reusability, and durability, making them suitable for industrial-scale processes. The catalytic mechanism generally involves adsorption of reactants on the active sites, surface reactions, and desorption of products. Heterogeneous catalysts are widely used in petroleum refining, hydrogenation, oxidation, and environmental remediation. Advances in nanocatalysis, surface engineering, and computational modeling have enhanced the activity, selectivity, and stability of both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts, enabling more efficient and sustainable chemical processes.

Key Highlights

• Fundamentals of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic systems
• Comparison of catalyst activity, selectivity, and stability
• Reaction mechanisms and kinetics in catalytic processes
• Catalyst recovery, reuse, and deactivation studies
• Industrial and fine chemical applications of catalysis

Why This Session Is Important

• Builds clear understanding of different catalytic systems
• Supports selection of suitable catalysts for specific reactions
• Bridges fundamental catalysis with practical applications
• Enhances efficiency and sustainability of catalytic processes
• Encourages innovation in catalyst development and application

Enzymatic and biocatalysis harness the power of biological catalysts—enzymes or whole cells—to accelerate chemical reactions with remarkable specificity and efficiency. Enzymes act as highly selective catalysts under mild conditions of temperature, pressure, and pH, reducing energy consumption and minimizing unwanted by-products. This makes enzymatic catalysis particularly valuable in pharmaceutical synthesis, food processing, and fine chemical production. Biocatalysis can also include engineered microorganisms or cell-free systems that perform complex transformations, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional chemical methods.

The mechanisms of enzymatic catalysis involve substrate binding to the active site, stabilization of transition states, and conversion into products, after which the enzyme regenerates for further cycles. Advances in protein engineering, directed evolution, and immobilization techniques have expanded the scope of biocatalysts, improving their stability, activity, and selectivity for industrial applications. Biocatalysis is increasingly integrated into green chemistry and renewable resource utilization, such as converting biomass into biofuels and biochemicals. By combining molecular biology, computational modeling, and process engineering, enzymatic and biocatalysis provide eco-friendly, efficient, and scalable solutions for modern chemical production.

Key Highlights

• Fundamentals of enzymatic catalysis and biocatalysts
• Enzyme engineering and optimization for reactions
• Biotransformations for fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals
• Green and sustainable biocatalytic processes
• Industrial applications of biocatalysis

Why This Session Is Important

• Promotes eco-friendly and sustainable catalytic solutions
• Enhances efficiency and selectivity in chemical synthesis
• Bridges biology with chemical engineering applications
• Supports development of greener industrial processes
• Encourages innovation in enzyme and biocatalyst design

Biocatalysis involves the use of enzymes or whole cells to catalyze chemical reactions, offering highly selective and efficient pathways under mild conditions of temperature, pH, and pressure. It is a cornerstone of green chemistry, enabling the sustainable production of pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, biofuels, and food ingredients while minimizing waste and energy consumption. Biocatalytic processes leverage the natural specificity of enzymes to perform stereoselective, regioselective, and chemoselective transformations, often difficult to achieve with traditional chemical catalysts. Whole-cell biocatalysis further expands possibilities by providing cofactor regeneration and multi-step enzymatic conversions within a single system.

Enzyme engineering enhances the potential of biocatalysis by modifying enzyme structures to improve stability, activity, selectivity, and substrate scope. Techniques such as directed evolution, site-directed mutagenesis, and computational protein design allow the creation of tailored enzymes for specific industrial applications. Integration of enzyme engineering with immobilization methods and process optimization has led to robust biocatalytic systems suitable for large-scale production. Together, biocatalysis and enzyme engineering are driving innovations in sustainable chemical manufacturing, renewable resource utilization, and the development of eco-friendly technologies, bridging biology and chemical engineering for next-generation industrial solutions.

Catalyst deactivation is a major challenge in industrial catalysis, leading to reduced activity, selectivity, and overall process efficiency over time. Deactivation can occur due to several factors such as poisoning, fouling, sintering, coking, or thermal degradation. Poisoning results from the adsorption of impurities like sulfur or chlorine on active sites, while coking involves the deposition of carbonaceous materials that block catalytic surfaces. Sintering, often caused by high temperatures, leads to the agglomeration of metal particles, reducing the catalyst’s surface area. Understanding these deactivation mechanisms is crucial for designing more durable catalysts and ensuring consistent process performance.

To maintain long-term operation, catalyst regeneration techniques are employed to restore activity and stability. Methods such as oxidative regeneration, solvent washing, or reactivation under controlled conditions remove deactivating agents and renew active sites. Advances in nanostructured materials, surface engineering, and catalyst support design have improved thermal and mechanical stability, extending catalyst lifespan. Furthermore, real-time in-situ characterization and computational modeling help monitor degradation pathways and optimize regeneration cycles. Achieving a balance between catalytic performance and stability is essential for sustainable industrial operations, ensuring cost-effectiveness, reduced waste, and enhanced environmental efficiency.

Key Highlights

• Mechanisms of catalyst deactivation and poisoning
• Regeneration and reactivation strategies
• Stability and lifetime assessment of catalysts
• Characterization of deactivated catalysts
• Industrial case studies on catalyst durability

Why This Session Is Important

• Improves understanding of catalyst lifespan and performance
• Supports development of long-lasting, reusable catalysts
• Reduces operational costs through effective regeneration
• Enhances reliability of industrial catalytic processes
• Promotes sustainable and efficient catalyst utilization

Green and sustainable catalysis focuses on developing catalytic processes that minimize environmental impact, conserve energy, and utilize renewable or less hazardous materials. The goal is to design eco-friendly reactions that adhere to the principles of green chemistry, such as atom economy, waste reduction, and the use of non-toxic reagents and solvents. Catalysts play a central role in achieving sustainability by enabling reactions under milder conditions with higher efficiency and selectivity, thereby lowering energy consumption and by-product formation. Examples include biocatalysis, photocatalysis, and electrocatalysis, which utilize natural or renewable energy sources for cleaner chemical transformations.

The advancement of heterogeneous and recyclable catalysts, along with the use of earth-abundant metals and green solvents like water or supercritical CO2, has significantly contributed to reducing the ecological footprint of industrial processes. Additionally, nanocatalysts and hybrid materials are being designed for improved reusability and performance in sustainable reactions. Integration of renewable feedstocks, biomass conversion, and CO2 utilization through catalytic pathways supports the transition toward a circular economy. Overall, green and sustainable catalysis not only enhances process efficiency but also aligns chemical manufacturing with global environmental and energy goals, paving the way for a cleaner and more sustainable future.

Key Highlights

• Environmentally friendly catalytic processes
• Use of renewable and sustainable feedstocks
• Low-energy and low-waste reaction pathways
• Design of green and recyclable catalysts
• Applications in sustainable chemical manufacturing

Why This Session Is Important

• Supports transition to sustainable chemical production
• Reduces environmental impact of catalytic processes
• Promotes green chemistry principles in industry
• Encourages development of low-carbon technologies
• Aligns catalysis research with sustainability goals

Nanocatalysis is an emerging field that utilizes nanometer-sized catalysts to enhance reaction rates, selectivity, and efficiency through unique size- and shape-dependent properties. At the nanoscale, catalysts exhibit a high surface-to-volume ratio, providing more active sites for chemical interactions. These nanostructured materials, including metal nanoparticles, metal oxides, carbon-based nanomaterials, and core–shell structures, enable precise control over catalytic activity and stability. The ability to tailor their morphology, composition, and electronic structure makes them highly effective in diverse applications such as energy conversion, pollution control, fuel cells, and chemical synthesis.

The mechanisms in nanocatalysis often involve surface plasmon resonance, quantum confinement, and enhanced adsorption capabilities, which improve catalytic efficiency beyond that of bulk materials. Advances in green synthesis methods, surface functionalization, and catalyst support technologies have further improved durability and reusability. Additionally, computational modeling and in-situ characterization techniques provide deeper insights into reaction pathways and active site behavior at the nanoscale. Nanostructured catalysts are also being integrated into photocatalysis and electrocatalysis systems for renewable energy production, such as water splitting and CO2 reduction. Overall, nanocatalysis represents a vital step toward more efficient, sustainable, and innovative catalytic technologies for the future of chemical and energy industries.

Reaction engineering and kinetics form the foundation of chemical process design, focusing on how chemical reactions occur, how fast they proceed, and how they can be optimized for industrial applications. Chemical kinetics studies the rate of reaction and the influence of parameters such as temperature, pressure, concentration, and catalyst type on reaction behavior. This knowledge helps determine reaction mechanisms, identify rate-determining steps, and develop mathematical models to predict system performance. Understanding kinetics is essential for controlling product yield, selectivity, and reactor efficiency in both laboratory and large-scale operations.

Reaction engineering applies these kinetic principles to design and optimize chemical reactors, ensuring maximum conversion and energy efficiency while maintaining safety and sustainability. Different reactor types—such as batch, continuous stirred-tank (CSTR), plug flow (PFR), and catalytic reactors—are selected based on process requirements and reaction dynamics. Advanced techniques, including computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and process simulation, allow engineers to visualize and optimize reactor performance. Moreover, the integration of catalytic reaction engineering with modern tools like artificial intelligence and data analytics is transforming process development, enabling faster scale-up and real-time control. Together, reaction engineering and kinetics bridge fundamental science with industrial innovation, driving progress in sustainable and efficient chemical manufacturing.

Key Highlights

• Fundamentals of reaction kinetics and rate laws
• Reactor design and scale-up strategies
• Kinetic modeling and simulation techniques
• Optimization of reaction conditions and yields
• Industrial case studies in reaction engineering

Why This Session Is Important

• Builds strong foundation in reaction kinetics and reactor design
• Supports efficient and scalable chemical processes
• Enhances predictive modeling for process optimization
• Bridges theory with industrial reaction engineering practice
• Improves safety, efficiency, and performance of reactors

Catalyst design, synthesis, and characterization are central to developing efficient and selective catalytic systems for chemical reactions. Catalyst design involves tailoring the composition, structure, surface properties, and active sites to meet specific reaction requirements. This includes selecting appropriate metals, metal oxides, supports, or hybrid materials and optimizing parameters like porosity, acidity, and particle size. Rational design strategies often integrate computational modeling and mechanistic studies to predict catalyst performance and guide experimental development.

Catalyst synthesis employs various methods such as impregnation, co-precipitation, sol-gel, hydrothermal synthesis, and green synthetic approaches to create materials with desired morphology and activity. Controlling particle size, distribution, and crystallinity during synthesis is critical to achieving high catalytic efficiency and stability. Following synthesis, characterization techniques are used to understand catalyst properties and correlate them with performance. Methods like X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM/TEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface analysis, spectroscopy (FTIR, UV-Vis, XPS), and temperature-programmed techniques provide insights into structure, surface area, active sites, and electronic properties. Comprehensive characterization ensures that catalysts are optimized for industrial applications, contributing to improved reaction rates, selectivity, and sustainability in chemical processes.

Key Highlights

• Rational design strategies for efficient catalysts
• Synthesis methods for catalytic materials
• Advanced characterization of active sites
• Structure–activity relationship studies
• Tailoring catalysts for specific reactions

Why This Session Is Important

• Enables development of high-performance catalysts
• Improves understanding of structure–function relationships
• Supports innovation in catalytic material synthesis
• Bridges fundamental research with practical applications
• Enhances reproducibility and reliability of catalytic systems

Electrocatalysis involves the acceleration of electrochemical reactions at the surface of catalysts, playing a crucial role in energy conversion and storage technologies. Electrocatalysts, typically metallic nanoparticles, alloys, or nanostructured materials, facilitate reactions such as oxygen reduction, hydrogen evolution, and CO2 reduction with high efficiency and selectivity. The design and optimization of electrocatalysts focus on maximizing active surface area, conductivity, and stability while minimizing the use of precious metals. Understanding the reaction mechanisms, charge transfer processes, and adsorption-desorption behavior is essential for improving electrocatalytic performance.

Fuel cell technologies leverage electrocatalysis to directly convert chemical energy into electricity with high efficiency and low environmental impact. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), and alkaline fuel cells (AFCs) are widely studied and applied in transportation, portable power, and stationary energy systems. Advances in nanostructured catalysts, catalyst supports, and membrane materials have enhanced fuel cell durability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Integration of renewable fuels, such as hydrogen and biofuels, with electrocatalytic fuel cells further promotes sustainability. Overall, electrocatalysis and fuel cell technologies are at the forefront of clean energy solutions, driving the transition toward a low-carbon and sustainable energy future.

Key Highlights

• Design of advanced electrocatalysts
• Innovations in fuel cell technologies
• Electrochemical reaction mechanisms
• Hydrogen production and utilization
• Sustainable energy conversion systems

Why This Session Is Important

• Supports clean and renewable energy technologies
• Advances hydrogen and fuel cell research
• Improves efficiency of electrochemical systems
• Promotes low-carbon energy solutions
• Bridges catalysis research with energy engineering

Computational catalysis and reaction modeling utilize theoretical and computational tools to understand, predict, and optimize catalytic processes at the molecular level. By applying quantum chemistry, density functional theory (DFT), molecular dynamics, and kinetic Monte Carlo simulations, researchers can investigate reaction mechanisms, energy profiles, and transition states without relying solely on experimental trial-and-error. This approach enables the rational design of catalysts with tailored activity, selectivity, and stability, reducing development time and cost. Computational models also help identify active sites, reaction intermediates, and rate determining steps, providing insights that guide experimental synthesis and testing of new catalytic materials.

Reaction modeling integrates computational insights with chemical kinetics and reactor engineering to predict the behavior of catalytic systems under various operational conditions. Models can simulate reactor performance, mass and heat transfer effects, and scaling-up processes, assisting in the design of efficient industrial reactors. Advanced techniques like multi scale modeling and machine learning algorithms are increasingly used to accelerate catalyst discovery, optimize reaction pathways, and improve sustainability in chemical manufacturing. Overall, computational catalysis and reaction modeling bridge theoretical understanding and practical applications, enabling smarter, faster, and more efficient catalytic process development.

Key Highlights

• Theoretical modeling of catalytic systems
• Simulation of reaction mechanisms
• Kinetic and microkinetic modeling
• Machine learning for catalyst discovery
• Predictive tools for catalyst performance

Why This Session Is Important

• Accelerates catalyst discovery and optimization
• Reduces experimental trial and error
• Enhances understanding of reaction pathways
• Integrates data science with catalysis research
• Supports rational catalyst design

Photocatalysis is a process in which a catalyst, typically a semiconductor material, absorbs light energy to drive chemical reactions. It offers a sustainable approach for solar energy conversion and environmental remediation by using abundant sunlight as a clean energy source. In solar energy applications, photocatalysts facilitate reactions such as water splitting for hydrogen production and CO2 reduction into fuels, contributing to renewable energy generation. Materials like titanium dioxide (TiO2), graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are widely explored for their high photoactivity, stability, and tunable band gaps.

In environmental applications, photocatalysis is employed to degrade pollutants, remove organic contaminants, and disinfect water and air, offering a green solution for pollution control. The mechanism involves photoexcitation of electrons, generation of reactive oxygen species, and subsequent oxidation or reduction of pollutants, resulting in efficient and complete degradation. Advances in nanostructured photocatalysts, hybrid systems, and plasmonic materials have enhanced light absorption, charge separation, and catalytic efficiency. Integration with solar reactors and environmental treatment systems allows scalable and sustainable applications. Overall, photocatalysis merges renewable energy utilization with environmental protection, making it a promising technology for addressing global energy and pollution challenges.

Key Highlights

• Development of advanced photocatalysts
• Solar-driven chemical transformations
• Photocatalytic water splitting
• CO2 conversion and solar fuels
• Environmental pollutant degradation

Why This Session Is Important

• Promotes clean and renewable energy solutions
• Supports sustainable environmental technologies
• Advances solar-driven catalysis research
• Enables low-carbon chemical processes
• Bridges energy and environmental applications

Industrial catalysis is central to large-scale chemical manufacturing, enabling efficient production of fuels, chemicals, polymers, and pharmaceuticals. Catalysts accelerate reactions, improve selectivity and yield, and reduce energy consumption, making processes economically viable and environmentally sustainable. Industrial catalysts include heterogeneous systems such as metals, metal oxides, and zeolites, as well as homogeneous catalysts like metal complexes and acids/bases, tailored for specific reactions. Applications range from hydrocarbon refining, ammonia synthesis, and hydrogenation reactions to fine chemical production and pollution control, highlighting the critical role of catalysis in modern industry.

Process intensification complements industrial catalysis by optimizing reactor design, heat and mass transfer, and reaction conditions to achieve higher efficiency, reduced footprint, and lower energy consumption. Techniques include microreactors, membrane reactors, multiphase reactors, and integrated reaction-separation systems, which enhance performance while minimizing waste. Advanced tools such as computational modeling, real-time process monitoring, and artificial intelligence enable precise control and scale-up of catalytic processes. Together, industrial catalysis and process intensification drive sustainable, high-performance chemical manufacturing, supporting economic growth while reducing environmental impact and resource consumption.

Key Highlights

• Scale-up of catalytic processes
• Advanced reactor design
• Process intensification strategies
• Industrial catalyst performance
• Sustainable manufacturing solutions

Why This Session Is Important

• Improves efficiency of industrial chemical processes
• Reduces energy consumption and waste
• Enhances scalability of catalytic technologies
• Bridges lab research with industrial application
• Supports sustainable and cost-effective production

Sustainable energy and environmental catalysis focus on developing catalytic processes that support clean energy production and environmental protection. Catalysts play a vital role in converting renewable resources such as biomass, water, and carbon dioxide into fuels and chemicals, enabling technologies like hydrogen production, biofuel synthesis, and CO2 reduction. Electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, and nanocatalysis are key tools in these applications, providing high efficiency, selectivity, and the ability to harness renewable energy sources like sunlight or electricity. These approaches contribute to reducing dependence on fossil fuels and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.

Environmental catalysis targets the removal of pollutants and toxins from air, water, and industrial effluents. Advanced catalytic systems, including metal oxides, zeolites, and enzyme-based biocatalysts, degrade organic contaminants, oxidize harmful gases, and treat wastewater, offering eco-friendly solutions to pollution. The integration of process intensification, nanostructured materials, and computational design enhances catalyst performance, durability, and recyclability. Overall, sustainable energy and environmental catalysis are critical for achieving a low-carbon, circular economy, bridging renewable energy utilization with environmental stewardship and sustainable industrial practices.

Key Highlights

• Catalysts for clean energy systems
• Emission reduction technologies
• Renewable energy catalysis
• Pollution control and remediation
• Green catalytic processes

Why This Session Is Important

• Supports transition to sustainable energy systems
• Reduces environmental impact of chemical processes
• Advances low-carbon catalytic technologies
• Promotes green chemistry and cleaner production
• Aligns catalysis research with global sustainability goals

Surface chemistry studies the physical and chemical phenomena occurring at interfaces, playing a crucial role in catalysis, materials science, and nanotechnology. The unique behavior of atoms and molecules at surfaces or interfaces, compared to the bulk, influences adsorption, reaction rates, wetting, and interfacial tension, which are critical in designing efficient catalysts and functional materials. Surface energy, surface charge, and chemical functional groups determine interactions between reactants and catalyst surfaces, influencing selectivity and activity in chemical processes.

Colloids—systems in which one phase is dispersed in another, such as emulsions, foams, and nanoparticles—exhibit distinctive surface and interfacial properties. Understanding colloidal stability, aggregation, zeta potential, and surface adsorption phenomena is essential for applications in drug delivery, food technology, environmental remediation, and nanocatalysis. Techniques such as dynamic light scattering (DLS), electron microscopy, and surface spectroscopy allow detailed characterization of surface and colloidal properties. Overall, surface chemistry and colloid science provide the foundation for controlling reactions and interactions at interfaces, enabling the design of advanced materials and efficient catalytic systems.

Catalysis plays a pivotal role in the petrochemical and refining industries, enabling the efficient transformation of crude oil and natural gas into fuels, chemicals, and high-value products. Catalysts accelerate reactions such as hydrocracking, catalytic reforming, isomerization, alkylation, and hydrogenation, improving yield, selectivity, and energy efficiency. Heterogeneous catalysts, including zeolites, metal oxides, and supported noble metals, are widely used due to their robustness, ease of separation, and high activity under harsh industrial conditions. Homogeneous catalysts are applied in specialized chemical syntheses within the petrochemical sector.

The effectiveness of catalysts in refining is determined by factors such as surface area, acidity, porosity, and active site distribution, which influence reaction pathways and product composition. Advances in nanostructured catalysts, bimetallic systems, and hierarchical zeolites have enhanced activity, selectivity, and resistance to deactivation. Catalyst regeneration and process optimization are critical for maintaining long-term performance and reducing operational costs. Overall, catalysis is indispensable for modern petrochemical processing, enabling energy-efficient production, cleaner fuels, and the sustainable conversion of hydrocarbon resources into essential chemicals and materials.

Electrochemical engineering focuses on the design, analysis, and optimization of systems where chemical reactions are coupled with electron transfer, bridging chemistry, materials science, and electrical engineering. This field underpins technologies such as batteries, fuel cells, electrolysis, and supercapacitors, which are central to renewable energy storage, portable electronics, and electric vehicles. Understanding mass transport, charge transfer kinetics, electrode design, and electrolyte behavior is critical for enhancing energy efficiency, performance, and longevity of electrochemical systems.

Battery technology, a core application of electrochemical engineering, involves lithium-ion, sodium-ion, solid-state, and flow batteries, each requiring tailored electrode materials, electrolytes, and catalysts for optimal operation. Advances in nanostructured electrodes, solid electrolytes, and redox-active materials have improved energy density, charge-discharge rates, and cycle stability. Computational modeling and in-situ characterization techniques allow detailed insight into reaction mechanisms, ion transport, and degradation processes, guiding the development of next-generation batteries. Overall, electrochemical engineering drives innovation in sustainable energy storage, enabling efficient, safe, and high-performance energy solutions for modern society.

Next-generation catalysts are being designed to address the growing demands for sustainable, efficient, and selective chemical processes, particularly in energy conversion and storage. These catalysts leverage advances in nanotechnology, materials engineering, and computational modeling to achieve superior activity, stability, and tunability. Examples include single-atom catalysts, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), perovskites, and core–shell nanostructures, which offer precise control over active sites and electronic properties. Such catalysts are transforming hydrogen production, CO2 reduction, fuel cells, and biomass conversion, enabling greener and more efficient chemical transformations.

Future energy materials complement these catalytic innovations by providing high-performance, sustainable, and multifunctional platforms for energy applications. Advanced materials such as 2D materials, solid electrolytes, photoactive semiconductors, and hybrid nanocomposites enhance energy storage, solar energy harvesting, and electrocatalytic performance. Integration of computational design, high-throughput screening, and machine learning accelerates the discovery of tailored catalysts and materials for next-generation energy systems. Overall, the development of next-generation catalysts and energy materials is pivotal for achieving a low-carbon, renewable, and sustainable energy future, bridging scientific innovation with industrial and environmental applications.