Session Four, Theory in Heterogeneous Catalysis

Abstract

Theory is the language of science. Without experiment there are no facts to talk about, but without theory we do not know what we are talking about. Heterogeneous catalysis has always been an interdisciplinary field, but in recent years, practitioners feel overwhelmed by the number and diversity of the techniques and approaches used. As a result, the ability to communicate across the field is deteriorating, and this makes the role of theory increasingly important, despite (and maybe because) of the palpable scepticism of many practitioners of heterogeneous catalysis about the relevance of model theoretical studies.