Synthesis of new catalytic materials and understanding of the relationships between synthesis and catalyst activity, selectivity, and durability.

Development of in situ methods for characterizing the composition and structure of catalysts, and structure-function relationships for catalysts and catalytic processes of existing, and potential, industrial interest.

Development and application of theoretical methods for predicting the structure and stability of catalysts, as well as the energetics and dynamics of elementary processes occurring during catalysis, and use of this information for the design of novel catalytic cycles and catalytic materials and structures.

Investigation of novel catalytic approaches for the production of chemicals and fuels in an environmentally benign fashion, the production of fuels from non-petroleum sources, the catalytic abatement of toxic emissions, and the selective synthesis of enantiomerically pure products.

Provision of the instrumentation, computational resources, and infrastructure needed to ensure the cost-effectiveness of the entire research portfolio.