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Professor Xinhe Bao has been chosen as the recipient of the 2016 Award for Excellence in Natural Gas Conversion. The Award is presented every three years during the International Natural Gas Conversion Symposium to recognize enduring and significant contributions to science and technology for conversion of natural gas to valuable products. The previous award recipients are Krijn de Jong (2013), Anders Holmen (2010), David Trimm (2007), Enrique Iglesia (2004), Lanny Schmidt (2001), Jens Rostrup-Nielsen (1998), and Jack Lunsford (1993).
Prof. Bao's ability to combine theory, model catalysts, and technical catalysis in a very original manner has led to a number of breakthrough developments with both scientific and industrial impact. As specific contributions to the field of natural gas conversion three topics are highlighted. Firstly, the direct conversion of methane to aromatics using bifunctional Mo/ZSM-5 catalysts has been studied extensively by Professor Bao with important new structure-performance relationships that have enabled higher aromatic yields. Secondly, CO hydrogenation to fuels and chemicals has been investigated with special reference to the role of confinement of nanoparticles in catalysis. Thirdly, direct conversion of methane to lower olefins has been realized for the first time using a catalyst with isolated iron sites, with interest in this finding noted from both the scientific community and industry.
Professor Bao has been a long-standing leader in research programs on natural gas conversion related research in China. He acts as chair and board member of international scientific conferences and was the chair of the 7th Natural Gas Conversion Symposium in Dalian. He serves on the editorial boards of a wide range of journals and book series relevant to natural gas conversion.
Professor Bao will be presented with the award at the 11th Natural Gas Conversion Symposium this June in Tromsų, Norway, and will give the Award Plenary Lecture during the symposium. |
Xinhe Bao
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