Interdisciplinary interactions inspire new discovery

Following an interdisciplinary approach, researchers in Japan have found new catalysts using unique Heusler alloys. Most studies on catalysts have been conducted by researchers in chemistry. However, catalysts also relate to other research fields. For example, materials science, including metallurgy, also involves making and analyzing catalysts, and solid state physics is necessary to understand electronic structures with catalytic properties. Therefore, expertise from different fields is essential for catalytic studies.