Scientists propose a dynamic charge and oxidation state for single-atom catalysts
(PHYSorg.com Chemistry)

Pollutants coming out of cars` exhausts are harmful to the environment and public health. With the goal of overall curbing car emissions, the US Department of Energy (DOE) issued a challenge to scientists worldwide: catalytically converting 90 percent of all critical pollutants (hydrocarbons, CO2, NOx etc.) in car exhaust into less harmful substances at 150ºC. However, nanoparticle based heterogeneous catalysts-like the three-way exhaust catalyst used in cars-work best at high temperatures (between 200 and 400ºC), thus making the 150ºC DOE challenge seem difficult to attain.