Catalysis is important in the refinement of petroleum, in the manufacturing of synthetic fibers and plastics, in the production of many different chemicals with a variety of uses, in the processing of foods, and in the production of medicines and pharmaceuticals. Catalysis helps in the suppression of atmospheric pollution, in the de novo design of environmentally friendly technologies, and in the pursuit of new ways to generate energy. Catalysis is considered a pillar of green chemistry in the preservation of our environment. From the viewpoint of an academic scientist, catalysis is considered a cross-disciplinary field, including the disciplines of organometallic, organic and inorganic chemistries, physical chemistry, chemical engineering, surface science, solid-state chemistry, and theoretical chemistry.