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| Name |
Dumesic, James A. |
| Location
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University of Wisconsin-Madison |
| Primary Field
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Engineering Sciences |
| Secondary Field
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Chemistry |
 Election Citation
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Dumesic is a recognized world leader in combining novel experimental and theoretical methods to elucidate kinetics of chemical reactions at the molecular level and to develop new technologies. He recently discovered efficient catalytic reactions to supplement the generally slower fermentation processes for converting renewable resources into liquid fuels and chemicals. |
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Research Interests
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Throughout his career, Dumesic has used spectroscopic, microcalorimetric, and reaction kinetics techniques to study the surface and dynamic properties of heterogeneous catalysts. Dumesic pioneered the field of microkinetic analysis, in which diverse information from experimental and theoretical studies is combined to elucidate the essential surface chemistry that controls catalyst performance. He has studied how aqueous-phase reforming of biomass-derived carbohydrates can be tailored to selectively produce H2 or directed to produce liquid hydrocarbons, and he has studied the use of furan compounds, levulinic acid, and gamma-valerolactone as biomass-derived platform chemicals for the production of fuels and chemicals. His current research is focused on the synthesis of new performance-advantaged polymers from biomass-derived monomers. |
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