These are the tiny airborne particles around which water droplets form, thus catalysing the condensation of clouds.

ECONOMIST: Aerobiology

It goes to Gerhard Ertl, another German, and is for his studies of the role of surfaces in catalysing chemical reactions.

ECONOMIST: The 2007 Nobel science prizes

And if that were not practical enough, others are looking at the role snowflakes have in catalysing the transformation of ozone into normal oxygen.

ECONOMIST: Atmospheric science: Fake flakes | The

Understanding the role of snowflakes in catalysing the change from one sort of oxygen to the other should provide insights into how ozone is distributed in the atmosphere.

ECONOMIST: Atmospheric science: Fake flakes | The

The World Economic Forum probably did not achieve its goal of catalysing a full, global risk response mechanism but relationships and shared intents have been forged that will begin the journey.

FORBES: Davos: This Was One Of The "Good" Ones

It would hasten the reorientation of China's economy from exports to consumer spending, give its central bank more freedom to fight inflation, and divert demand to depressed Europe and America, catalysing an essential rebalancing of the global economy.

ECONOMIST: Trade with China

On one hand, sustainability creates huge opportunities by catalysing innovation and on the other, it calls for transformation in which global challenges of growth, urbanization, scarcity of natural resources and environmental change will become key strategic business drivers.

FORBES: Business Action at Rio+20

Her Highness Sheikha Moza was the first to raise the flag on this, and the conference on this question, held in the margins of the UN General Assembly on 21 September, was important for catalysing further international action.

UNESCO: MEDIA SERVICES