(369d) Seeking Alternative Renewable Feedstocks for the Production of Biofuels and Chemicals

Dr. James Katzer, one of the leaders in catalysis and chemical reaction engineering, recently passed away. Dr. Katzer was an affiliate professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Iowa State University and a member of the National Academy of Engineering. This session is in honor of Dr. Katzer for his numerous outstanding research contributions and leadership in the catalysis and reaction engineering areas. In his professional life, Katzer accumulated a rich mix of academia and industry within his catalysis and reaction engineering repertoire. After establishing his academic career at the University of Delaware, he transitioned to a very successful career in industry at ExxonMobil Research. From 2006 to 2009 Katzer was a panel member of the National Research Council of The National Academies, and worked jointly on the 2009 NRC report on "Liquid Transportation Fuels from Coal and Biomass". From 2004 to 2007, Katzer was also a visiting scientist for the Laboratory for Energy and The Environment at MIT.

This talk will focus on alternative renewable feedstocks for the production of biofuels and chemicals.