Because the challenges span several of the traditional fields of Chemistry, Geochemistry, Engineering, and Materials, PEER has initiated collaborative research programs to address these problems. Our vision is to integrate the latest developments in chemistry, chemical engineering, material sciences, geochemistry, and environmental chemistry to develop affordable energy production technologies while preserving and even enhancing the environment. A key part of our strategy will be to develop and use computer simulation and modeling (from quantum mechanics to macroscopic) to interpret and guide experiments and to provide new design principles. Thus, the Materials and Process Simulation Center in the Beckman Institute at Caltech will play a central role in this activity.