PULLMAN – An internationally known researcher in energy and renewable fuels will join the WSU faculty as the first Voiland Distinguished Professor.
Improving the efficiency of catalysts, which are used in many industries to chemically transform and create products and fuel, is important to increasing supplies, reducing costs and improving environmental impacts of petroleum-based and alternative fuels.
Wang’s work spans fundamental to applied research in clean energy conversion. It includes fundamental studies of structure and function relationships of transition metal oxide and bimetallic catalysts, development of novel catalytic materials, and innovative work in reaction engineering to improve the conversion of biomass and hydrocarbons to fuels and chemicals. He also developed novel and durable materials for fuel cell applications.
“Dr. Wang’s innovative research has had a direct and significant impact on lowering costs and increasing efficiency in the chemical and energy industries,’’ said Gene Voiland, (B.S. Chem E, ’69). “We are all pleased that he is returning to WSU.
“He will dramatically advance chemical engineering’s and WSU’s leadership in the development of new catalysts for transformational energy systems, while he also participates in the education of the next generation of engineers and leaders.’’
Wang joined Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in 1994 as a postdoctoral fellow. He became a research engineer in 1996 and by 2005 became a laboratory fellow – the highest scientific rank at PNNL. He established and managed a team of researchers focused on catalysis and reaction engineering from 2000 to 2007.
In 2008, Wang became associate director of the Institute for Interfacial Catalysis at PNNL. The institute works to develop and improve new catalysts to increase energy efficiency in a number of areas, such as the conversion of biomass to fuel.
“Our continued relationship with Yong will enable PNNL and WSU to work more closely together in the critical area of catalysis directed at increasing the U.S. energy supply and reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Ed Baker, director of the Energy and Efficiency Division at PNNL.
In recognition that the work Wang conducts also will have dramatic positive impacts on Washington’s agricultural industry, a portion of his appointment is funded by WSU’s Agricultural Research Center, the state’s agricultural experiment station.
“Yong Wang brings expertise to WSU that I believe will positively impact the agricultural industry with its role in the production of biofuels and bioproducts and, consequently, the economy of Washington State,’’ said Ralph Cavalieri, associate dean and director of the Agricultural Research Center.
“I look forward to seeing many of the innovations that come out of Dr. Wang’s research program as they help to cement Washington State’s position at the forefront in the alternative energy economy.’’
Wang was elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2008. The Chinese Institute of Engineers named him the 2006 Asian American Engineer of the Year. He is the recipient of three prestigious R&D 100 awards (1997, 1999 and 2008), which annually recognize the 100 most significant and innovative new technologies that have been introduced in the marketplace.
He was recipient of the Presidential Green Chemistry Award in 1999 and twice was named PNNL Inventor of the Year in 2004 and 2006. He was honored as a Battelle Distinguished Inventor in 2004. He received the PNNL Laboratory Director’s Award for Exceptional Scientific Achievement in 2005.
Wang has been honored as guest professor in many renowned universities and institutes, such as the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics. He serves on the editorial board of Catalysis Today and Journal of Nanomaterials. He served as the program committee chair of the American Chemical Society Petroleum Division (2006-2008).
He has organized numerous international and national conferences. He has more than 130 peer-reviewed publications, more than 60 invited presentations over the past five years, more than 100 issued patents, and six edited books and topic journals issued on novel materials and reaction engineering for fossil and biomass conversions.
“Research to develop clean technologies and to address the daunting and exciting energy challenges of the 21st century is a top priority in the College of Engineering and Architecture,’’ said Candis Claiborn, dean of the college.
“Yong Wang has been recognized as an outstanding leader and cutting-edge innovator in this important research area, and he exemplifies exactly where we want to head into the future.’’
