Federal Project Grant Award Summary

Florida A&M University (FAMU) received a $271,485 project grant from the National Science Foundation's Office of Integrative Activities (CFDA 47.083) awarded on April 15, 2026, with completion targeted for February 28, 2027. The award supports research and development activities focused on designing and validating novel single-atom catalysts (SACs) supported on transition metal carbides and nitrides for efficient hydrogen generation through aqueous-phase reforming of methanol. The project delivers a combined computational and experimental research program involving density functional theory calculations, machine learning methods, scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy measurements, and laboratory validation to identify active catalytic sites and establish structure-activity relationships for platinum, palladium, rhodium, and nickel-based catalysts.

Beyond the primary research deliverables, the project is designed to strengthen institutional research capacity at FAMU, a Historically Black College and University, while providing multidisciplinary research and educational opportunities for underrepresented African American students in computational sciences. The work addresses national priorities in clean energy production by investigating efficient low-temperature hydrogen generation from renewable methanol feedstocks, positioning the research outcomes for potential translation into practical applications in the alternative energy sector.