A new class of catalysts has been successfully synthesized by BruceGates, UC Davis professor of chemical engineering and materials science, after years of speculation and supposition. They are robust microscopic metal clusters resilient to the rigorous conditions of industrial processes. A catalyst, the "control lever" of a chemical process, allows for chemical conversions to occur more efficiently in the desired direction, whether that be refining crude oil for gasoline, cleaning up automobile exhaust, synthesizing pharmaceutical compounds, or converting chemicals to synthetic fibers for fabrics. The better the catalyst, the more economically advantageous the process. Gates has focused his efforts on harnessing four to 20 metal atoms into tiny clusters parked on the surface of ceramic material. He has found that there is a minimum and a maximum number of atoms in this range required for optimal catalytic activity in certain reactions. His lab, interested in better understanding the chemistry of cluster formations, is currently searching for reactions for which smaller metal atom clusters will be more effective catalysts. Gates will present his latest findings and receive an award at the American Institute of Chemical Engineers meeting Nov. 12-17 (see meeting listing).