Discover
/
Article

A new look at catalysis

MAY 01, 1974
By making catalysis more of a science than an art, surface scientists can help solve the current high‐priority problem of transforming fossil fuels into more usable forms.
Traugott E. Fischer

Our rapidly expanding demand for fuel has exceeded the amount now available to us with existing technology. In the long run, nonexhaustible sources of energy will have to be found and exploited. Solar and geothermal energy are being explored, as are breeder reactors, but none of these sources is expected to furnish a significant amount of energy within the next 50 years. Fission reactors are now providing nuclear energy, but by the end of the century they will still contribute less than one quarter of the total energy needed (see figure 1). How shall we provide the needed energy for the next 30 to 50 years?

This article is only available in PDF format

References

  1. 1. G. A. Somorjai, Catalysis Rev. 7, 87 (1972); https://doi.org/CTRVBY
    K. Baron, D. W. Blakely, G. A. Somorjai, Surf. Sci. 41, 45 (1974).https://doi.org/SUSCAS

  2. 2. J. J. Burton, Catalysis Rev. (to be published).

  3. 3. M. R. Hoare, P. Pal, J. Cryst. Growth 17, 77 (1972).https://doi.org/JCRGAE

  4. 4. F. L. Williams, M. Boudart, J. Catal. (to be published).

  5. 5. J. L. Meijering, Acta Met. 14, 259 (1966).https://doi.org/AMETAR

  6. 6. F. L. Williams, Proceedings of the Third North American Meeting of the Catalysis Soc., San Francisco, 4–6 February 1974.

  7. 7. J. J. Burton, E. Hyman, D. G. Fedak, Proceedings of the Thirty‐fourth Physical Electronics Conference, Murray Hill, 25–27 February 1974.

  8. 8. J. H. Sinfelt, J. L. Carter, D. J. C. Yates, J. Catal. 24, 283 (1972).https://doi.org/JCTLA5

  9. 9. H. P. Bonzel, R. Ku, J. Chem. Phys. 59, 1641 (1973).https://doi.org/JCPSA6

More about the Authors

Traugott E. Fischer. Corporate Research Laboratory, Esso Research and Engineering Company, Linden, New Jersey.

Related content
/
Article
Figuring out how to communicate with the public can be overwhelming. Here’s some advice for getting started.
/
Article
Amid growing investment in planetary-scale climate intervention strategies that alter sunlight reflection, global communities deserve inclusive and accountable oversight of research.
/
Article
Although motivated by the fundamental exploration of the weirdness of the quantum world, the prizewinning experiments have led to a promising branch of quantum computing technology.
/
Article
As conventional lithium-ion battery technology approaches its theoretical limits, researchers are studying alternative architectures with solid electrolytes.
This Content Appeared In
pt-cover_1974_05.jpeg

Volume 27, Number 5

Get PT in your inbox

pt_newsletter_card_blue.png
PT The Week in Physics

A collection of PT's content from the previous week delivered every Monday.

pt_newsletter_card_darkblue.png
PT New Issue Alert

Be notified about the new issue with links to highlights and the full TOC.

pt_newsletter_card_pink.png
PT Webinars & White Papers

The latest webinars, white papers and other informational resources.

By signing up you agree to allow AIP to send you email newsletters. You further agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.