August 5, 2019

Scientists create artificial catalysts inspired by living enzymes

Stanford researchers have made a significant advance in the development of artificial catalysts for making cleaner chemicals and fuels at an industrial scale.

Scientists create artificial catalysts inspired by living enzymes.
Scientists have invented an enzyme-like catalyst made of soft polymers (purple) and a hard palladium core (pink). When heated, the palladium chemically converts molecules of oxygen and carbon monoxide (yellow and orange) into carbon dioxide. The reaction stops when the polymers are saturated with carbon dioxide, a strategy used by living enzymes. Research is underway to develop catalysts that convert natural gas to methanol at low temperatures.  (Greg Stewart/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory)

Related Topics

Dig Deeper

Related stories

News Feature

Researchers show an old law still holds for quirky quantum materials

Strongly interacting electrons in quantum materials carry heat and charge in a way that’s surprisingly similar to what individual electrons do in normal metals...

November 30, 2023  ·  3 min read
An illustration shows electrons transporting heat from a warmer to a cooler area of a material.
News Feature

Groundbreaking study shows defects spreading through diamond faster than the speed of sound

A groundbreaking study shows defects spreading through diamond faster than the speed of sound 

October 5, 2023  ·  6 min read
Shocking a diamond with a high-power laser produced defects that propagated faster than the speed of sound.
News Feature

‘Computer vision’ reveals unprecedented physical and chemical details of how a lithium-ion battery works

Analyzing X-ray movies with computer vision reveals how nanoparticles in a lithium-ion battery electrode work.

September 13, 2023  ·  5 min read
Illustration of battery electrode nanoparticles being imaged by X-rays
News Feature

Researchers show an old law still holds for quirky quantum materials

Strongly interacting electrons in quantum materials carry heat and charge in a way that’s surprisingly similar to what individual electrons do in normal metals...

November 30, 2023  ·  3 min read
An illustration shows electrons transporting heat from a warmer to a cooler area of a material.
News Feature

Groundbreaking study shows defects spreading through diamond faster than the speed of sound

A groundbreaking study shows defects spreading through diamond faster than the speed of sound 

October 5, 2023  ·  6 min read
Shocking a diamond with a high-power laser produced defects that propagated faster than the speed of sound.
News Feature

‘Computer vision’ reveals unprecedented physical and chemical details of how a lithium-ion battery works

Analyzing X-ray movies with computer vision reveals how nanoparticles in a lithium-ion battery electrode work.

September 13, 2023  ·  5 min read
Illustration of battery electrode nanoparticles being imaged by X-rays
Press Release

New SLAC-Stanford Battery Center targets roadblocks to a sustainable energy transition

New SLAC-Stanford Battery Center bridges the gaps between discovering, manufacturing and deploying innovative energy storage solutions. 

April 13, 2023  ·  4 min read
Illustration showing a battery researcher at left, a battery at center and a grid of battery applications at right.
News Feature
VIA Stanford

KIPAC celebrates 20 years of research

An astronomy festival will mark the milestone.

April 10, 2023
Visitors at KIPAC are observing the sun through telescopes and sun-spotters.
News Feature

Lab Director Chi-Chang Kao reflects on the past decade as SLAC celebrates 60th anniversary

Under his leadership, the lab diversified its research portfolio, expanded its science impact, advanced major projects, increased collaboration with Stanford and met the challenges...

December 15, 2022  ·  10 min read
A man in a blue shirt and gray suit poses in front of a large scientific apparatus.