Research Bio

Alex Bell's research specialty is catalysis and chemical reaction engineering with an emphasis on understanding the fundamental relationships between catalyst structure and compostion and catalyst activity and selectivity. The objectives of his program are pursued through a combination of experimental and theoretical methods. Spectroscopic techniques, including IR, Raman, NMR, UV-Visible, and EXAFS, are used to characterize catalyst structure and adsorbed species under actual conditions of catalysis. Isotopic tracers and temperature-programmed desorption and reaction techniques are used to elucidate the pathways via which catalyzed reactions occur. Quantum chemical calculations are conducted to define the structure and energetics of adsorbed species and the pathways by which such species are transformed. The combined use of theory and experimental methods enables the attainment of a deeper understanding of the core issues of interest than can be achieved by the use of either approach alone.  These experimental and theoretical methods are used to investigates a wide range of reactions, including the conversion of biomass to fuels and chemical, the conversion of alkanes to alkenes and aromatics, the oxidation of alkenes, the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide to fuels and chemicals, and the reduction of nitric oxide. His research honors include the Curtis W. McGraw Award for Research from the American Association of Engineering Education, the Professional Progress, R. H. Wilhelm, and William H. Walker Awards from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers; the Paul H. Emmett Award in Fundamental Catalysis and the Michel Boudart Award from the Catalysis Society; and the ACS Award for Creative Research in Homogeneous or Heterogeneous Catalysis and the Goerge Olah Award in Petroleum or Hydrocarbon Chemistry from the American Chemical Society. Dr. Bell is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He also holds the title of Honorary Professor of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Research Expertise and Interest

chemical engineering, heterogeneous catalysts, spectroscopic techniques, chemical reaction engineering