Make it Faster!

Reactions are vital to human functions and synthesis of materials. Sometimes reactions happen too slowly, so a catalyst is introduced to speed the reaction along. Sometimes reactions don’t happen easily so a catalyst is introduced to make the reaction occur. Catalysts, such as a catalytic converter, are used to reduce exhaust emissions from cars. This project focuses on the design and improvement of catalytic converters. Students will study catalysts and how to make them work better in the case of making ammonia from the Haber-Bosch process.

Students will investigate what is a catalyst, then build a model in the form of a poster, video/movie or actual 3-D version. Students will create gold nanoparticles with Cargnello Group help. Then students will write a complete scientific paper on making gold nanoparticles/or a paper of a better creation of Ammonia.