In this talk, an overview of the research thrusts of the Catalysis Center for Energy Innovation (CCEI), one of the Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC) will be given. Modern catalytic-based technologies will be presented that may overcome challenges of traditional methods in converting biomass to renewable fuels, chemicals, and electricity. Cross-cutting technologies, including hierarchical multiscale materials and models, will be reviewed. We will then review modern technologies that rely on biomass degradation to simple derivatives, such as sugars, followed by a number of reactions, such as isomerization, acid-based chemistry, and etherification to convert sugars to valuable intermediates, such as furans. Reforming of biomass for hydrogen production will also be discussed.
