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Draft:Michael S.Wong

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  • Comment: In accordance with the Wikimedia Foundation's Terms of Use, I disclose that I have been paid by my employer for my contributions to this article. Ladymanjusaka (talk) 02:50, 12 May 2026 (UTC)
Michael S.Wong
Alma materCalifornia Institute of Technology (BS)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MS, PhD)
UC Santa Barbara (Postdoctoral training)
Known forNanotechnology, Clean Water Catalysis
Scientific career
FieldsChemical engineering, Catalysis, Environmental engineering, Materials chemistry
WorkplacesRice University

Michael S. Wong is a professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, chemistry, civil and environmental engineering, and materials science and nanoengineering at Rice University in Houston, Texas.[1] His laboratory designs and studies heterogeneous catalysts and functional nanostructures to address water, sustainability, and energy issues using chemical engineering and materials chemistry principles.[2]

Wong is the recipient of national and international awards. He is a fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), the American Chemical Society (ACS), and the Royal Society of Chemistry. [3]

He served as chair of numerous professional societies (Southwest Catalysis Society, ACS Division of Catalysis Science and Technology, AIChE Nanoscale Science and Engineering Forum), in academic leadership positions (chemical and biomolecular engineering department chair, co-founder of the Rice METS graduate program), and in board member and director roles (ACS Journal Advisory Board, North American Catalysis Society, AIChE South Texas Section, AIChE Environmental Division).

Early Life and Education

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Wong earned his Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering at California Institute of Technology in 1994. He performed undergraduate research with Michael Hoffmann.[4] He received a Master of Science degree in chemical engineering practice at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1997. Advised by Jackie Y. Ying, he completed his doctoral studies in chemical engineering at the same institution in 2000.[5] From 2000 to 2001, Wong underwent postdoctoral training with Galen D. Stucky at University of California, Santa Barbara, in the Department of chemistry and biochemistry.[6]

Career

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Wong joined Rice University in 2001 as an assistant professor in chemical engineering.[7] In 2003, he founded the Catalysis and Nanomaterials Laboratory research group[2] He became full professor in 2010, and served as the 12th department chair of chemical engineering from 2014 to 2025. He holds joint appointments in the departments of chemistry[8], civil and environmental engineering[9], and materials science and nanoengineering.[10]

Wong was a director for North American Catalysis Society and the South Texas Section of AIChE. He served the chair of the ACS Division of Catalysis Science and Technology in 2016 for two years (2016-2017) and later serving as ACS councilor in 2019.[11]

He is an executive editor for the ACS journal Environmental Science and Technology.[12] He was previously a topic editor for ACS Environmental Science and Technology: Engineering and served on several editorial boards, including Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, Applied Catalysis B Environment and Energy, and Chemistry of Materials.

Wong is the public health thrust leader for Rice's Water, Technology, Entrepreneurship and Research (WaTER) Institute, which translates water research into available technologies for global health, energy transitions, and resilient infrastructure.[13][14] He is director of the Rice PFAS Alternatives and Remediation Center (Rice-PARC).[15] He was research thrust leader in Nanotechnology Enabled Water Treatment (NEWT) Engineering Research Center, a research alliance for water research funded from 2015-2025 by the U.S. National Science Foundation.

Wong appeared on the HBO Max show "Engineering Catastrophes" as an on camera consultant for season 6 episode 5 "Texas Oil Port Inferno" and has acted as an consultant for National Geographic for its movie Mysteries of the Unseen World 3D.[16]

Wong founded the Master of Energy Transition and Sustainability (METS) program with Julia Morgan in 2024. The METS degree is an advanced, professional non-thesis degree designed in partnership with the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing (SoEC) and the Wiess School of Natural Sciences (SoNS) at Rice University.[17][18]

Research

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Clean Water

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Wong develops thermal,photo, and electro-catalysis technologies to de-construct molecules, i.e., treat water of undesirable contaminants like drycleaning and industrial solvents, fertilizer runoff, and PFAS.

Trichloroethylene and Chloroform

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Wong developed catalysts that use palladium and gold nanoparticles to degrade common groundwater toxins into non-toxic substances.[19] Compared to conventional iron catalysts, his palladium-gold catalyst significantly reduced trichloroethylene (TCE) degradation time from more than 25 hours to less than 15 minutes.[20][21] At a DuPont site in Louisville, Kentucky, Wong, Stanford , and DuPont Central Research installed a 6-by-8-foot filter unit for processing chloroform, where thousands of palladium-gold (PG) catalyst pellets work to degrade it into methane and salt.[22]

Nitrite and Nitrate

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Wong's gold-palladium composite accelerated the degradation time for nitrite, a water pollutant from agricultural runoff. It was 15 times faster than a pure palladium catalyst and 7.5 times faster than a palladium-aluminum oxide nanocatalyst.[23] Modifying the composite into an indium-palladium hybrid, he and his group developed the most active catalyst for reducing nitrate, another toxin from agricultural runoff, to innocuous nitrogen gas.[24]

Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

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Wong is widely recognized for his work in polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) degradation and water photocatalysis. He and his team assembled metal ions and organic molecules into highly porous metal-organic frameworks (MOF's) that degrade perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) with high storage capacity and a fast adsorption rate.[25] Their lab was the first to identify boron nitride as a photoactive material, observing that it degrades PFOA and GenX in 254nm ultraviolet light.[26][27]

Wong and his team also designed a catalyst that couples titanium oxide with boron nitride. The composite degraded 99 percent of PFOA in deionized water in less than three hours[28] and is functional under natural sunlight, making it a highly efficient photocatalyst in visible and ultraviolet light.[29]

Clean Energy

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Wong's research in nanomaterials focuses on developing more efficient methods for solar energy conversion and chemical manufacturing. He developed photoreactors that combine inexpensive, halide perovskite semiconductors with electrocatalysts to convert sunlight into hydrogen.[30] The photoreactors reached a record-breaking 20.8% conversion efficiency, turning it into a commercially feasible solution for several fuel-forming reactions. [31]

Clean Chemicals

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Wong's research focuses on green chemical synthesis and waste reduction. His team identified rhodium as a catalyst capable of converting water nitrite waste directly into hydrazine.[32] His research on levoglucosan, a precursor for biomass products, demonstrated that the chemical can be synthesized through the carbohydrate pyrolysis of cellulose, glucose, and starch.[33] [34] Wong also investigated the catalytic roles of palladium-acetate species in vinyl acetate monomer synthesis, discovering that stabilizing these complexes with potassium acetate controls nanoparticle size and improves the palladium-gold catalyst's selectivity. [35] [36]

Functional Nanostructures

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In biotechnology, Wong developed a low-energy method for producing self-assembling microcapsules using water, salt, and polymers, which can be utilized to trap and store enzymes for targeted drug delivery.[37] He also showed that quantum dots can be produced at much lower costs by replacing octadecene, an expensive but common solvent used in dot synthesis, with heat transfer fluid.[38]

In collaboration with Naomi Halas and Ramon Gonzalez, he developed a method to synthesize thermophilic enzymes with gold-palladium nanoparticles. When exposed to near-infrared light, these nanoparticles generate localized heat, allowing catalytic reactions to proceed at lower ambient temperatures.[39] Wong also developed production methods for tetrapod quantum dots—four-legged semiconductors designed to convert sunlight into electricity more efficiently and cost-effectively than traditional silicon-based solar cells. [40]

Honors and Awards

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Wong has received multiple honors and awards throughout his career. Since joining the faculty at Rice, he has been named a Young Innovator by MIT Technology Review (2006)[41][42], the AIChE Nanoscale Science and Engineering Forum (2006), and Smithsonian magazine (2007).[43] In 2015, he is awarded the Southwest Catalysis Society Excellence in Applied Catalysis Award.[44] Wong also amassed several regional honors from ACS, including the 2018 Greater Houston Section's Joe W. Hightower Award and the 2019 Southwest Region Award.[45][46]

In 2022, Wong was listed as Elsevier World's Top 2% Scientists and a recipient of the ACS Southwest Regional Partners in Progress and Prosperity Award.[47] In 2023, Wong received the Lawrence K. Cecil Award in Environmental Chemical Engineering, AIChE’s highest environmental recognition for scientists.[48] This career highlight is followed by another AIChE nanotechnology recognition, the Nanoscale Science and Engineering Forum award, in 2025.[49] In the same year, Wong is awarded the Henry J. Albert Award from the International Precious Metals Institute.[50]

Publication

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Wong has published numerous scientific literature and articles. His citation index is above 20,000 and h-Index is > 75.[51]

References

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  1. ↑ "Michael S. Wong|Faculty|The People of Rice|Rice University".
  2. 1 2 "Catalysis & Nanomaterials Laboratory". Catalysis & Nanomaterials Laboratory.
  3. ↑ Clark, Silvia Cernea (July 19, 2023). "Michael Wong named fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry". Office of Public Affairs| New and Media Relations| Rice University.
  4. ↑ Alexander, Matthew (March 8, 2024). ""Interview with Cecil Award Winner Dr. Michael S. Wong"" (PDF).
  5. ↑ Ying, Jackie Y.; Mehnert, Christian P.; Wong, Michael S. (15 January 1999). "Google Scholar". scholar.google.com. 38 (1–2): 56–77. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1521-3773(19990115)38:1/2<56::AID-ANIE56>3.0.CO;2-E. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
  6. ↑ Kloepfer, J. A.; Mielke, R. E.; Wong, M. S.; Nealson, K. H.; Stucky, G.; Nadeau, J. L. (July 2003). "Quantum Dots as Strain- and Metabolism-Specific Microbiological Labels". Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 69 (7). American Society for Microbiology: 4205–4213. Bibcode:2003ApEnM..69.4205K. doi:10.1128/AEM.69.7.4205-4213.2003. PMC 165133. PMID 12839801.
  7. ↑ Kurp, Patrick. "Wong named William M. McCardell Professor in Chemical Engineering". Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering| Rice Engineering and Computing.
  8. ↑ "Joint Faculty". Department of Chemistry | Wiess School of Natural Sciences | Rice University. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
  9. ↑ "Faculty". Civil and Environmental Engineering | Rice University. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
  10. ↑ "Faculty". Materials Science and NanoEngineering | Rice University. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
  11. ↑ "ACS CATL Division Officers". Previous Officers | ACS CATL Division. May 13, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Editorial Board | Environmental Science & Technology | ACS Publications". pubs.acs.org. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
  13. ↑ "Research Team". Team | WaTER Institute | Rice University. May 13, 2026.
  14. ↑ "About the Institute". Water Technologies Entrepreneurship and Research| WaTER Institute | Rice University. May 13, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Wong receives $1.4 million federal grant to develop technology to destroy 'forever chemicals' | George R. Brown School of Engineering | Rice University". engineering.rice.edu. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
  16. ↑ "National Geographic Live". live.nationalgeographic.org. Retrieved 2026-05-21.
  17. ↑ "Energy Transition and Sustainability < Rice University". ga.rice.edu. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
  18. ↑ "Master of Energy Transition and Sustainability (METS) | Rice University". Master of Energy Transition and Sustainability (METS) | Rice University. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
  19. ↑ Nutt MO, Hughes JB, Michael SW. Designing Pd-on-Au bimetallic nanoparticle catalysts for trichloroethene hydrodechlorination. Environ Sci Technol. 2005 Mar 1;39(5):1346-53. doi: 10.1021/es048560b. PMID: 15787376.
  20. ↑ "Palladium beats iron for TCE cleanup". news2.rice.edu. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  21. ↑ Li, Shujing; Fang, Yu-Lun; Romanczuk, Chris D.; Jin, Zhaohui; Li, Tielong; Wong, Michael S. (2012-08-21). "Establishing the trichloroethene dechlorination rates of palladium-based catalysts and iron-based reductants". Applied Catalysis B: Environmental. 125: 95–102. Bibcode:2012AppCB.125...95L. doi:10.1016/j.apcatb.2012.05.025. ISSN 0926-3373.
  22. ↑ "Chloroform cleanup: Just the beginning for palladium-gold catalysts". news2.rice.edu. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  23. ↑ "Rice scientists ID new catalyst for cleanup of nitrites". news2.rice.edu. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  24. ↑ "Rice U.'s one-step catalyst turns nitrates into water and air". news2.rice.edu. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  25. ↑ "Defects help nanomaterial soak up more pollutant in less time". news2.rice.edu. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  26. ↑ Duan, Lijie; Wang, Bo; Heck, Kimberly; Guo, Sujin; Clark, Chelsea A.; Arredondo, Jacob; Wang, Minghao; Senftle, Thomas P.; Westerhoff, Paul; Wen, Xianghua; Song, Yonghui; Wong, Michael S. (2020). "Efficient Photocatalytic PFOA Degradation over Boron Nitride". Environmental Science & Technology Letters. 7 (8): 613–619. Bibcode:2020EnSTL...7..613D. doi:10.1021/acs.estlett.0c00434. Retrieved 2026-05-14.
  27. ↑ "Boron nitride destroys PFAS 'forever' chemicals PFOA, GenX". Rice News | News and Media Relations | Rice University. Archived from the original on 2026-03-07. Retrieved 2026-05-14.
  28. ↑ Falk, Jeff (July 25, 2022). "Rice improves catalyst that destroys 'forever chemicals' with sunlight". Office of Public Affairs | News and Media Relations | Rice University.
  29. ↑ Duan, Lijie; Wang, Bo; Heck, Kimberly N.; Clark, Chelsea A.; Wei, Jinshan; Wang, Minghao; Metz, Jordin; Wu, Gang; Tsai, Ah-Lim; Guo, Sujin; Arredondo, Jacob; Mohite, Aditya D.; Senftle, Thomas P.; Westerhoff, Paul; Alvarez, Pedro; Wen, Xianghua; Song, Yonghui; Wong, Michael S. (2022-11-15). "Titanium oxide improves boron nitride photocatalytic degradation of perfluorooctanoic acid". Chemical Engineering Journal. 448 137735. Bibcode:2022ChEnJ.44837735D. doi:10.1016/j.cej.2022.137735. ISSN 1385-8947.
  30. ↑ Fehr, Austin M. K.; Agrawal, Ayush; Mandani, Faiz; Conrad, Christian L.; Jiang, Qi; Park, So Yeon; Alley, Olivia; Li, Bor; Sidhik, Siraj; Metcalf, Isaac; Botello, Christopher; Young, James L.; Even, Jacky; Blancon, Jean Christophe; Deutsch, Todd G. (2023-06-26). "Integrated halide perovskite photoelectrochemical cells with solar-driven water-splitting efficiency of 20.8%". Nature Communications. 14 (1). Nature Publishing Group: 3797. Bibcode:2023NatCo..14.3797F. doi:10.1038/s41467-023-39290-y. ISSN 2041-1723. PMC 10293190. PMID 37365175.
  31. ↑ "Device makes hydrogen from sunlight with record efficiency". Rice News | News and Media Relations | Rice University. Archived from the original on 2026-07-24. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
  32. ↑ "Rice engineers find a way to turn water pollution into valuable chemicals". news2.rice.edu. Retrieved 2026-05-21.
  33. ↑ Chen, Li; Zhao, Jinmo; Pradhan, Sivaram; E. Brinson, Bruce; E. Scuseria, Gustavo; Conrad Zhang, Z.; S. Wong, Michael (2016). "Ring-locking enables selective anhydrosugar synthesis from carbohydrate pyrolysis". Green Chemistry. 18 (20): 5438–5447. doi:10.1039/C6GC01600F.
  34. ↑ "Another brick in the molecule". news2.rice.edu. Retrieved 2026-05-21.
  35. ↑ "Researchers unlock catalyst behavior that could cut emissions and stabilize supply of everyday materials". Rice News | News and Media Relations | Rice University. Archived from the original on 2026-05-16. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
  36. ↑ Jacobs, Hunter P.; Elias, Welman C.; Heck, Kimberly N.; Jiang, Shan; Dodson, Justin J.; Sandoval-Pauker, Christian; Foucher, Alexandre C.; Cha, Byeong Jun; Arredondo, Jacob H.; Chen, Laiyuan; Mueller, Sean G.; Alexander, Steven R.; Senftle, Thomas P.; Miller, Jeffrey T.; Wong, Michael S. (2025-12-08). "Dynamic behavior of molecular Pd-acetate trimers and dimers in heterogeneous vinyl acetate synthesis". Nature Communications. 17 (1). Nature Publishing Group: 127. doi:10.1038/s41467-025-66820-7. ISSN 2041-1723. PMC 12774893. PMID 41354743.
  37. ↑ "Rice researchers unveil new". news2.rice.edu. Retrieved 2026-05-20.
  38. ↑ "Method slashes quantum dot costs by 80 percen". news2.rice.edu. Retrieved 2026-05-20.
  39. ↑ "Rice uses light to remotely trigger biochemical reactions". news2.rice.edu. Retrieved 2026-05-20.
  40. ↑ "Quantum dot recipe may lead to cheaper solar panels". news2.rice.edu. Retrieved 2026-05-20.
  41. ↑ "Michael Wong". MIT Technology Review. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  42. ↑ "Rice chemical engineer named to Technology Review's TR35". news2.rice.edu. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  43. ↑ "Wong makes Smithsonian magazine's prestigious '37 under 36′ list". news2.rice.edu. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  44. ↑ "Award | Southwest Catalysis Society". swcatsoc. Retrieved 2026-05-21.
  45. ↑ "Joe Hightower". acsghs.wildapricot.org. Retrieved 2026-05-21.
  46. ↑ Kurp, Patrick (February 5, 2020). "Wong receives 2019 Southwest Region American Chemical Society Award". George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing | Rice University.
  47. ↑ Williams, Mike (November 16, 2022). "ACS taps Rice, Shell for Partners in Progress & Prosperity Award". Office of Public Affairs | News and Media Relations | Rice University.
  48. ↑ "Lawrence K. Cecil Award in Environmental Chemical Engineering". The Global Home of Chemical Engineers | AIChE. May 14, 2026.
  49. ↑ Natarajan, Raji (August 15, 2025). "Wong recognized with the 2025 AIChE Nanoscale Science and Engineering Award". WaTER Institute | Rice University.
  50. ↑ Kurp, Patrick (December 19, 2024). "Wong to receive International Precious Metals Institute's Henry J. Albert Award". George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing | Rice University.
  51. ↑ "Google Scholar". scholar.google.com. Retrieved 2026-05-21.
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