Abstract: A device and combinatorial method is disclosed for screening a plurality of catalytic materials simultaneously while determining the dynamic bulk and surface nature of the catalytic materials being screened under reaction conditions and surface chemical kinetic and mechanistic information for determining the structure-activity/selectivity relationship of the catalytic materials, and for collecting information on the dynamic structures of the catalytic materials as well as surface species. The discovery process of novel materials may thereby be accelerated, the associated costs may be reduced, and the information may also lead to the design of improved and advanced materials.