How can his work be applied to future advancements?
Gerhard Ertl's work lays the foundation for the development of next-generation catalysts that are more efficient, selective, and environmentally benign. By continuing to build on his insights, researchers can design catalysts for a wide range of applications, such as carbon dioxide reduction, hydrogen production, and the synthesis of complex organic molecules. His methodologies and findings will continue to guide and inspire future research in surface science and catalysis.