High performance, functional materials are a cornerstone for advanced manufacturing and innovative technologies. In particular, the Houston area is home to many chemical manufacturers who use catalytic materials to intensify their processes by making them more efficient, selective and less resource consuming. Catalysts are also used to treat vehicle exhaust, treat waste water and enable renewable energy technologies. The electrification of transportation, and in the long term, possibly the chemical industry, may also require innovative and safe electrochemical storage solutions. Finally, existing catalysts may be pushed to even higher performance by imposing dynamically changing reaction conditions, which is particularly interesting for decentralized, modular reactors.<\/p>\n