Project Grant 2320059

This $312,044 National Science Foundation project grant supports research and education activities aimed at developing improved catalysts for the methane dehydroaromatization process. Funded under the Engineering program of the NSF Directorate for Engineering, the award supports integrated experimental and theoretical work by Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University to better understand catalyst performance limitations and guide the design of enhanced catalysts and processing schemes for the conversion of methane to higher-value chemicals like benzene. A subaward of $50,000 to Texas Tech University supports complementary research efforts. The work advances technology for upgrading methane resources in small, on-site facilities to avoid costly transportation while training students in efficient hydrocarbon utilization. Researchers will characterize catalyst structures and reaction pathways using advanced techniques, combining experimental data with density functional theory calculations. A virtual reality module will also immerse K-12 students in catalytic processes. Completed in November 2023, the research aims to determine deactivation pathways and enable rational catalyst design for the methane dehydroaromatization reaction.