Center for Catalysis and Surface Science (CCSS) Seminar Series
Friday, May 8, 2026 | 12-1pm CT
Ryan Hall, 4003 | 2190 Campus Drive (Virtual Option via Zoom)
Join the Center for Catalysis and Surface Science (CCSS) for the Seminar Series. This month's speaker is Dayne Swearer.
About the Presentation
Speaker: Dayne Swearer
Title: "Engineering Interfacial Plasma Interactions for Selective Chemical Synthesis"
Abstract:
Plasmas are the most common form of matter in the Universe, yet they are relatively rare on Earth. Although the chemistry and physics of plasmas are complex, these highly dynamic and reactive environments offer rich opportunities for translation into transformative catalytic technologies. This seminar will discuss our recent efforts to harness, manipulate, and control nonthermal plasmas to activate thermodynamically stable small molecules such as CO2, H2O, N2, and CH4 to produce valuable commodity chemicals. Several projects will be highlighted, including the direct partial oxidation of methane to methanol, plasma-assisted CO2 mineralization, direct CO2 cracking in gliding arc reactors, and polyolefin valorization to liquid oxygenates in trickle-bed reactors. Our approach bridges physical chemistry, operando electrical diagnostics, chemical reactor design, and advanced imaging and spectroscopy to generate mechanistic insight into each reaction system we study. Beyond these initial demonstrations, future opportunities for plasma technologies will be explored, along with the challenges and limitations that this rapidly growing field must overcome to achieve widespread adoption.
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The mission of the Center for Catalysis and Surface Science (CCSS) is to promote interdisciplinary research fundamental to the discovery, synthesis, and understanding of catalysts and catalytic reactions essential to modern society. As a part of the Paula M. Trienens Institute for Sustainability and Energy, CCSS applies fundamental advances in catalysis science towards applications in alternative fuels, abatement of harmful emissions, resource recovery concepts, new processing routes, and many other strategies towards making chemicals more sustainable.
Jim Puricelli
(847) 491-4354
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