Abstract:

Energy (production, storage and utilization) constitutes one of the most important and challenging issues in the United States and no single solution will be able to provide the required answer to this gigantic problem we face. In order to help DOE to advance technologies, the Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division at Argonne National Laboratory is conducting cutting edge research in the following fields: -Reverse engineering photosynthesis for bio-inspired solar energy conversion -Vertically integrated experimental and theoretical combustion chemistry -Atomic and molecular-scale control of catalytic reactions for energy technologies -Fundamental mechanisms for photons to fuels conversion -Atomic and molecular-scale chemistry of heavy elements and fission products -New Tailored Interfaces for Electrical Energy Storage. In this presentation, we will describe some of the highlights of the work currently underway targeted to provide the scientific basis for the discovery and implementation of new technologies to yield translational solutions in support of DOE's mission.