This cooperative agreement proposes the application of an emerging x-RAY metrology to reveal molecular-scale behavior of the catalysts responsible for producing the energy-intensive chemicals core…

The National Institute of Standards and Technology awarded a $359,576.14 cooperative agreement to Theiss Research on October 1, 2025, to develop and apply pulsed-gas resonant inelastic X-ray scattering methodology for measuring molecular-scale behavior of catalysts used in energy-intensive chemical production. The work, funded under the Measurement and Engineering Research and Standards program (CFDA 11.609), builds a framework for catalyst characterization that includes CO chemisorption studies of model catalysts, pulsed studies, chemisorption measurements on commercial catalysts under steady-state conditions, and transient measurements. Theiss Research will also develop analytical tools and methods to support these studies. Results and methodologies will be published with data publicly available, leveraging NIST-built detector technology and equipment at NIST's X-ray facilities to enable industrially-relevant catalysis experiments and future research by NIST stakeholders seeking to improve catalyst materials and U.S. industrial competitiveness in essential chemical production. Performance occurs at Theiss Research's facility in La Jolla, California, with a period of performance extending from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028. The recipient does not intend to subaward funds.

Activities

The researchers will build a framework for pulsed-gas resonant inelastic x-RAY scattering measurements of catalysts. This will include CO chemisorption studies of model catalysts, pulsed studies of these catalysts, chemisorption studies on commercial catalysts under steady-state conditions, and transient measurements of commercial catalysts. The researcher will also develop tools for performing these studies and analyzing the corresponding results.

Expected outcomes

The methodologies and results will be published with the data publicly available. This will showcase and further the tools NIST has recently invested in and developed for catalysis at its facilities, as well as enable new studies for NIST stakeholders in the future. The data can be used by researchers around the country seeking to improve catalysts to promote US industrial competitiveness in the production of essential chemicals.

Intended beneficiaries

The findings of this research can be used by researchers to improve catalyst materials. The measurement methodologies and tools will also remain available at NIST's facilities to benefit future internal and external NIST stakeholders working on projects that advance NIST's mission.

Subrecipient activities

The recipient does not intend to subaward funds.