To develop catalysts for the production of advanced biofuels, we must further understand the relationship between physical catalysts properties & reactivity. Current research is focusing on understanding the role of facets or defects of Ni catalysts in the activity and selectivity of hydrogenolysis of biofuel molecules. Synthesizing smaller catalysts particles can induce these defects, and so current efforts are aimed at using novel techniques to create & control the size of catalyst particles & relate these induced defects to catalytic activity.