Aditya Bhan

Aditya Bhan serves as a Distinguished McKnight University Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at the University of Minnesota's College of Science and Engineering, leading a research group focused on catalytic conversion technologies for biomass and natural gas feedstocks. His work integrates molecular-level catalytic chemistry with materials synthesis to develop sustainable energy solutions and mitigate environmental impacts from fuel and chemical production.

Research spans heterogeneous catalysis for CO₂ hydrogenation, ethylene epoxidation, plasma-catalyzed NO_x abatement, and dehalogenation processes. The group employs isotopic tracer studies, transient kinetics, and steady-state measurements complemented by XRD, electron microscopy, and spectroscopy, with computational validation through DFT. Current projects address catalytic acrylate production, plasma-assisted waste stream treatment, and metal carbide catalyst development for carbon-neutral reactions.

Professor Bhan has received significant recognition:

• Distinguished McKnight University Professor (2023)
• Paul H. Emmett Award in Fundamental Catalysis (2022)

He mentors 11 active PhD candidates while having guided 4 recent doctoral graduates to industry and academic positions, with research funded by the National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy, and University of Minnesota's Initiative for Renewable Energy. The group operates advanced facilities for catalytic testing and plasma reactor systems, collaborating with computational experts on the Rule Input Network Generator (RING) software for reaction network analysis.

The research team maintains active participation in North American Catalysis Society meetings and International Precious Metals Institute conferences, with regular group development activities including annual picnics, conference travel, and collaborative dinners documented through 2025.