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Mark Ratner in his office holding a publication and smiling at the camera

Northwestern mourns Professor Emeritus Mark A. Ratner

May 14, 2026
Ratner is widely recognized as one of the founders of molecular electronics. He served as the founding co-director of the Initiative for Sustainability and Energy at Northwestern (ISEN), now the Paula M. Trienens Institute for Sustainability and Energy.
Dayne Research

Bottled Lightning Makes a Cleaner Fuel

April 15, 2026
Bursts of plasma convert methane into methanol without high heat and pressure. Researchers used low-temperature plasma “lightning” in a water-based reactor with a copper-oxide catalyst to convert methane directly into methanol in a single, electrified step.

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The Paula M. Trienens Institute for Sustainability and Energy Making the Headlines

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Events

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Gavin Towler

Dr. Gavin Towler; Seminars on Technology Challenges in Sustainability

The Trienens Institute will host a seminar series to review global challenges in sustainable development and the creation of a sustainable global economy and ecosystem. Each seminar will focus on a sector of the economy and will begin with a short presentation to review key challenges and pose questions for consideration.

Upcoming Events

Jun
5
2026

CCSS June Seminar: Taylor Uekert

12:00 PM
Center for Catalysis and Surface Science (CCSS) Seminar Series Friday, June 5, 2026 | 12-1pm CT Ryan Hall, 4003 | 2190 C...

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