Division/Committee: [CATL: Division of Catalysis Science and Technology]

External stimuli can exert control over catalytic processes by overcoming kinetic and thermodynamic limitations, as well as associated scaling relationships. Recent developments have sparked growing interest in advancing catalytic reactivity through the application of electric and magnetic fields, plasma, extreme pressure, mechanochemistry, light, and pH modulation. These diverse approaches have opened new frontiers in catalyst design and function, enabling the exploration of how fundamental interactions and perturbations influence reactivity beyond conventional conditions. Specifically, these stimuli have demonstrated the ability to stabilize otherwise inaccessible spin states, selectively excite vibrational modes relevant to reaction coordinate control, exploit non-equilibrium phase transitions, and direct product selectivity toward otherwise minor pathways. This symposium will feature sessions covering recent advances in homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis enabled by both traditional (pH, temperature, light) and non-traditional external stimuli. Topics will include the influence of these stimuli on catalyst synthesis, morphology, and shape selectivity, as well as their effects on reactivity, selectivity, and energy landscapes. Contributions spanning experimental, theoretical, and computational work, including data-driven and machine learning approaches for predictive modeling and mechanistic discovery, are encouraged. Special emphasis will be placed on theoretical efforts aimed at accurately modeling stimulus–catalysis interactions. By bridging theory and experiment, this symposium aims to foster a multidisciplinary dialogue on how external stimuli can be harnessed to drive innovation in catalytic science.

John Anderson

The University of Chicago

Appearances