Barr Halevi
Postdoctoral Researcher - Chemical Engineering

Ph.D.Chemical Engineering
University of Pennsylvania

B.S. Chemical Engineering
University of Colorado at Boulder


ESB 3125H
University of California - Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-5080
halevi@engineering.ucsb.edu

(805) 893-7403 (office)
(805) 893-8941 (lab)




Research Project

1) Lignocellulose materials are a complex group of carbohydrates that hold some promise as a renewable feedstock for the production of industrially relevant chemicals. To date research on lignocellulose use has focused largely on gasification and enzymatic disassembly. We are investigating non-enzymatic routes to lignocellulose disassembly using homogenous and supported-heterogeneous catalysts. Initial efforts are focused on understand disassembly requirement through a study of the oxidative fissioning of pinacol to make acetone. My responsibility is to make, test, and investigate supported-heterogeneous catalysts which have been selected based on previously reported homogenous reactions. (CENTC) 2) The metal carbides Mo_2 C and WC have shown promise as alternatives to noble metals in the production of hydrogen from steam reforming and the Water-Gas Shift reactions. In collaboration with the Seshadri group we are investigating model carbide catalysts for the production of hydrogen. We are focusing on establishing the active sites, and material cycle issues.






Awards
Pending