MRes Catalysis: Chemistry and Engineering

This course underpins a huge range of modern chemical transformations. From the megaton scale production of acetic acid to the polymers we use for plastics, and from automotive catalytic converters to key steps in pharmaceutical synthesis, the impact of catalysis upon our everyday life is enormous. It has been estimated that around 90% of all chemical products produced on a commercial scale involve catalysis, and that catalytic processes lead to approximately £550 billion of products. It is embraced as a ‘green technology’ as it can limit waste and improve selectivity as well as provide re-use of the catalytic agent itself. Since the landmark achievements of Nobel laureate Sir Geoffrey Wilkinson in catalysis, Imperial has been known internationally as a centre for catalysis research, and this tradition continues today with over 30 members of the Chemistry and Chemical Engineering departments active in the area. Students will graduate from the programme with a solid knowledge base in the area, and they will also be challenged to develop their own ideas on how to focus academic and industrial research to meet the pressing challenges in catalysis.