| Barr Halevi
Postdoctoral Researcher - Chemical Engineering Ph.D.Chemical Engineering |
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| Research
Project |
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1) Lignocellulose materials are a complex group of carbohydrates that
hold some promise as a renewable feedstock for the production of
industrially relevant chemicals. To date research on lignocellulose use
has focused largely on gasification and enzymatic disassembly. We are
investigating non-enzymatic routes to lignocellulose disassembly using
homogenous and supported-heterogeneous catalysts. Initial efforts are
focused on understand disassembly requirement through a study of the
oxidative fissioning of pinacol to make acetone. My responsibility is
to
make, test, and investigate supported-heterogeneous catalysts which
have been selected based on previously reported homogenous reactions. (CENTC)
2) The metal carbides Mo_2 C and WC have shown promise as alternatives
to noble metals in the production of hydrogen from steam reforming and
the Water-Gas Shift reactions.
In collaboration with the Seshadri
group we are investigating model
carbide catalysts for the production of hydrogen. We are focusing on
establishing the active sites, and material cycle issues.
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| Awards
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Pending
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