— UW-Madison scientists say they’ve made a breakthrough in understanding catalytic reactions, which are used in a variety of industrial processes.
Manos Mavrikakis, a professor of chemical and biological engineering, led the team that published this research in a recent issue of the journal Science. Their study focused on how these reactions work at the atomic scale, and could provide new insight for industries seeking to improve the efficiency of catalytic reactions.
“If you decrease the temperatures at which you have to run these reactions by only a few degrees, there will be an enormous decrease in the energy demand that we face as humanity today,” Mavrikakis said in a release from the university. “By decreasing the energy needs to run all these processes, you are also decreasing their environmental footprint.”
In the process called catalysis, a catalyst material is introduced to increase the rate of the chemical reaction without undergoing any changes itself. According to the university, about 90 percent of everyday products are produced “at least partially” through catalytic reactions.
Because industrial-scale catalytic reactions often involve “extreme temperatures and pressures,” direct observation of what’s happening at the atomic level has been impossible, the UW-Madison release shows.
Using advanced modeling techniques, the researchers were able to simulate these reactions at this scale, focusing on those involving certain metal catalysts such as platinum, palladium, copper, nickel and others. They looked at “industrially important” interactions between eight transition metal catalysts and 18 reactant materials.
“We’re revisiting some very well-established assumptions in understanding how catalysts work and, more generally, how molecules interact with solids,” Mavrikakis said.
See the full study: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.add0089
See the release: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2023/uw-madison-new-atomic-scale-understanding-of-catalysis-could-unlock-massive-energy-savings/
— A coalition of arts organizations and businesses is urging lawmakers to provide $100 million in one-time budget funding for the Wisconsin Artistic Endowment Foundation.
That’s according to a release from Create Wisconsin, which says Wisconsin’s Creative Economy Coalition is calling on Republicans on the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee to include this “generational funding” in the biennial budget.
While the foundation was first created in 2001 under state law, a funding mechanism “was never identified,” the release shows. Wisconsin is now ranked 50th among U.S. states for per-capita arts funding, according to the coalition.
“Neighboring states proactively invest in creative economic development and offer more funding for essential arts amenities, allowing them to attract and retain an innovative and dynamic workforce, and we must do the same to be competitive,” Create Wisconsin Executive Director Anne Katz said in a statement.
See more on the coalition’s ask in the release:
Listen to an earlier podcast with Katz: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2021/wisbusiness-the-podcast-with-anne-katz-executive-director-of-arts-wisconsin/
— Republicans in a committee hearing argued bills seeking to prevent bans on gas-powered cars or devices would protect consumer choice. Dems questioned whether the measures are necessary.
AB 141 and AB 142 would prohibit state agencies and local governments from restricting the use or sale of cars or devices based on the energy source they use. California and six other states have banned the sale of gas-powered vehicles starting in 2035.
Bill co-author Rep. Ellen Schutt during the Assembly State Affairs Committee hearing argued a ban on gas-powered equipment, including for agriculture, would affect production rates and cause prices to skyrocket.
“The government should not be forcing individuals to buy certain products, eliminating competition and destroying the free market,” the Clinton Republican said. “These bills simply protect consumer choice and those businesses across our wonderful state that manufacture and sell gas-powered vehicles and devices.”
Co-author Sen. Cory Tomczyk said bans on gas-powered cars or devices would hurt both consumers and their communities. He said someday they may become obsolete.
“Until that time, our state should ensure that whether Wisconsin residents and businesses want to plow their driveway in the winter, cook food on their existing stoves, or drive the vehicle of their choice, they retain the freedom to choose the product that best fits their needs,” the Mosinee Republican said.
Rep. Christine Sinicki questioned whether there has been talk of banning gas-powered cars or devices in Wisconsin.
“I mean, I’m not quite sure if anybody’s even talked about this yet. I know it’s happening in California, but we’re not California,” the Milwaukee Dem said.
Rep. Marisabel Cabrera, D-Milwaukee, said she would be more open to the proposals if they included a date after which restrictions would be allowed instead of prohibiting restrictions permanently.
The Senate Transportation and Local Government Committee has a public hearing on the chamber’s version of the bills today.
See the bills:
— Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce is promoting a new school locator tool called Schoolahoop to businesses and workers in the state.
“When families are making decisions about where to work, educational options play a big role in that choice,” WMC President and CEO Kurt Bauer said in a release.
Users can type in their ZIP code on the site to find nearby educational institutions, with the option to screen results by location, class size, test scores, religious affiliations and other factors.
See the release: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2023/wisconsin-manufacturers-commerce-provides-business-community-access-to-new-school-locator-tool/
See the tool here: https://www.wmc.org/find-a-school/
— The 26 finalists in this year’s Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest include companies in advanced manufacturing, information technology, life sciences and other industries.
The Wisconsin Technology Council recently released the list of these finalists, which are competing in the 20th annual contest. They made it through two rounds of initial judging, and are competing to make it into the top 12 “Diligent Dozen” entries.
They will submit a 15-minute pitch deck to be reviewed by a panel of judges, covering the product or service being offered, customer base, market size and other key information. The 12 startups that make it to the next round will present at the end of May at the 2023 Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference. Winners will be announced June 1.
See more on the contest, including the full list of finalists: https://govsbizplancontest.com/2023/04/06/finalists-in-govs-biz-plan-contest-offer-innovation-in-health-ai-environment-more/
<br><b><i>Top headlines from the Health Care Report …</b></i>
— Froedtert Health and ThedaCare have announced plans to merge into a single health system, with a goal of finalizing the process by year’s end.
And U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson is slated to speak at the VaxCon23 anti-vaccination event in Wisconsin Dells this weekend.
<i>For more of the most relevant news on COVID-19, reports on groundbreaking health research in Wisconsin, links to top stories and more, sign up today for the free daily Health Care Report from WisPolitics.com and WisBusiness.com.</i>
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#TOP STORIES#
# Wisconsin congressman hopes third time’s the charm for interstate logging bill
# Report: Wisconsin saw virtually complete abortion stoppage after Dobbs
# Froedtert Health and ThedaCare to combine, create new hospital system
#TOPICS#
# AGRIBUSINESS
– Dane County Farmers’ Market heads back outside with 20 new vendors
# CONSTRUCTION
– This Lake Monona waterfront design is clear winner in survey
– Proposed Brady Street hotel takes another step toward construction
# EDUCATION
– After 85 years, Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee is closing in May
# FINANCIAL SERVICES
– Baird’s 2022 revenue down 18% from record high
# HEALTH CARE
– Froedtert, ThedaCare plan to merge, hope to launch combined health system by end of 2023
– Froedtert Health to merge with ThedaCare in Fox Valley
– Froedtert Health, ThedaCare announce plans to merge
# LEGAL
– Wisconsin AG Josh Kaul joins challenge to abortion pill ruling
# POLITICS
– Gov. Evers visits Eau Claire, meets with health care students
# REAL ESTATE
– ‘Paying off’: Millennial homeownership in Milwaukee is third-highest in US in recent years
– Four southeast Wisconsin retail properties sold for $34.3 million in portfolio deal
# TOURISM
– ‘Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience’ coming to Resch Expo for 9 weeks
# TRANSPORTATION
– Eau Claire to vote on more funds to give bus passes to homeless
# PRESS RELEASES
<i>See these and other press releases:
https://www.wisbusiness.com/press-releases/ </i>
Vida: Announces expansion with addition of maternity home in the Fox Valley
