Articles tagged with Chemical Engineering
A team of researchers has developed a chlorine-tolerant membrane that simplifies the water desalination process, increasing access to fresh water. The new membrane reduces the need for de-chlorination steps, leading to cost savings and potentially lowering carbon-dioxide emissions.
Researchers at McMaster University have developed self-moisturizing contact lenses using hyaluronic acid, a natural polymer found in the human body. This innovative approach reduces eye dryness and increases wearer comfort, offering a greener alternative to existing synthetic materials.
Researchers have achieved a record light conversion efficiency of 8.2% in solvent-free dye-sensitized solar cells, paving the way for large-scale outdoor applications. The development of an electrolyte mixture made from three solid salts replaces volatile organic solvents, making it possible to produce lightweight and inexpensive flexi...
The $2.5 million initiative will develop an intelligent transportation system framework using RFID technology to analyze data on traffic use and capacity. The goal is to create a cost-effective solution to manage traffic and reduce emissions.
Professor Nakamura's revolutionary light-emitting diodes and blue laser diode have significantly contributed to the progress of humanity in energy efficiency. The award recognizes his work as a major breakthrough, enabling solid-state lighting to replace traditional incandescent and fluorescent lighting up to ten times more efficiently.
Jingguang Chen, a University of Delaware chemical engineer, has won the 2008 Award for Excellence in Catalysis for his work on understanding the physical and chemical properties of bimetallic and metal carbide surfaces. His research has inspired new applications of fundamental studies to catalytic and fuel cell processes.
Researchers have developed a new method to create diamond-like crystals, which could improve optical communications and other technologies. The technique uses tiny particles suspended on water to form a precisely ordered layer of particles.
A symposium on energy research highlighted the need for transformational breakthroughs to meet future energy demands while minimizing greenhouse gas emissions. Scientists discussed various renewable energy sources, including solar, nuclear power, hydrogen economy, and catalysis for transportation fuels.
Chemical engineers at Princeton University developed a method for shooting stable jets of electrically charged liquids from a wide nozzle, producing lines just 100 nanometers wide. This technique offers better resolution than ink-jet printing and far more speed and ease than conventional nanotechnology.
Researchers at Purdue University have mathematically described precisely how droplets form when liquids are exposed to electric fields, a discovery that contradicts conventional wisdom. The study found that a liquid's viscosity plays a vital role in drop formation and size.
The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded a grant to Adam Moule, assistant professor at UC Davis, to study ways to assemble thin layers of organic polymers into flexible panels for more efficient solar cells. The goal is to reduce costs and increase power output, with potential prototype development by 2015.
Industry experts suggest nanotechnology can improve fuel extraction from dwindling resources and reduce pollution. Nanomaterials may be used to enhance efficiency, purification and storage of hydrocarbons.
A $2.5 million NSF grant will support an international collaboration between American and Korean researchers, with a focus on student education and exchange at both graduate and undergraduate levels. The program aims to develop global perspectives and foster collaboration among researchers.
Peter Cummings is being honored for his groundbreaking research in computational nanoscience, which has led to significant advancements in nanotribology, molecular electronics, and hybrid organic-inorganic nanocomposites. His work has the potential to make nanotechnology a practical reality.
L.T. Fan, a renowned chemical engineer at K-State, has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to particle technology and teaching. The American Institute of Chemical Engineers awarded him the Particle Technology Forum Award for his advocacy in industry, academia, and government.
The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) has chosen Elsevier as its publishing partner, starting in January 2008. The partnership will enable early publication of articles in press and improve accessibility for authors, editors, and the academic community.
Dr. Dilhan M. Kalyon, Highly Filled Materials Institute director at Stevens Institute of Technology, recognized for his significant contributions to chemical engineering and the field. He has made a meaningful impact through process or product development, education, technical publications, patents, and theoretical developments.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a new understanding of particle mixtures, shedding light on the behavior of colloids in various states. The study has potential practical applications in medicine, including the design and production of pharmaceutical formulations.
Thomas H. Epps III, a recipient of the prestigious Faculty Early Career Development Award from the National Science Foundation, is advancing the development of high-performance materials through his research on block copolymers. His five-year grant will support the creation of nanoscale materials with unique properties, potentially lea...
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a faster approach to producing disease-fighting antibodies. This method can provide significant time savings and enable the isolation of therapeutic antibodies for human diseases that were previously unobtainable.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a new family of gene vectors, novel polymers that can ferry genetic material into cells. These polymers show promise for gene delivery and tissue scaffolds in biomedical applications, offering reduced toxicity to viral vectors.
UCSB is part of a $12.5M DARPA-funded consortium researching robust uncertainty management in large networks with complex dynamics. The project aims to develop techniques for predicting the consequences of events like power grid blackouts and improving decision-making under uncertainty.
Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered that nanoparticles can stop thin polymer films from buckling and wrinkling, paving the way for new solutions to prevent wrinkles. The technology has potential applications in cosmetic procedures and medical treatments.
Dr. Jingyue Ju's innovative DNA-sequencing technology, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, overcomes accuracy limitations of other systems. The license agreement with Intelligent Bio-Systems enables the development of a high-throughput DNA sequencing platform.
The University of Manchester will develop innovative new counter-terrorism technologies using £multi-million pounds in funding from the Home Office. The project aims to improve detection, identification and decontamination of chemical, biological and radiological materials.
The median salary for chemists has increased to $86,900, with bachelor's degrees earning $67,200 and Ph.D.'s earning $96,000. The chemistry workforce is becoming more diverse, with female graduates receiving a higher percentage of B.S. chemistry degrees.
A new web-based system, ThermoML, has demonstrated improved data quality and access for researchers in thermodynamics. The system catches and corrects errors in about 10% of journal articles, enhancing the overall research experience.
Researchers at Stanford University have created a novel biomimetic material called Duoptix TM that can be used to develop an artificial cornea. The hydrogel material is transparent, permeable to nutrients, and resistant to surface proteins and inflammation, making it suitable for surgical implantation.
The median salary for new Ph.D. graduates increased from $65,000 to $72,400 over the past five years, while bachelor's and master's level graduates saw gains of $2,500 and $1,400 respectively. However, when adjusted for inflation, starting salaries remained lower than in 2000, indicating a continued soft job market.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a microfluidic device that uses electricity to break down cell membranes, enabling the delivery of drugs and genes. This technique allows for detailed analysis of individual cells and can pinpoint abnormalities more quickly than traditional methods.
US chemical companies experienced a modest increase in sales and earnings in Q4 2005, driven primarily by the impact of hurricanes on plant closures and transportation. Sales rose 7.5% to $38.1 billion, while earnings increased 0.9% to $2.31 billion.
A new rubbery membrane material can efficiently purify hydrogen for fuel cells, potentially lowering costs for hydrogen-fueled vehicles. The material's superior gas-separating ability could also replace an expensive step in current petrochemical processing.
Researchers at Penn State developed a new nanofiber fabrication technique inspired by forensic science's fingerprint development method. The technique produces biocompatible materials, including fibers with diameters in the 200-250-nanometer range and nano-sized spheres.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University developed tiny self-assembling cube-shaped containers that can deliver medications and cells. The cubes are trackable via MRI and have shown promising results in lab tests, including the release of microbeads and live cells.
Researchers at Princeton University developed an algorithm to optimally assign funding proposals to reviewers, resolving a long-standing issue for the National Science Foundation. The solution has broad applications in scheduling interns, deploying combat units, and assigning teachers to classes.
The Center for Engineering Sustainability aims to promote sustainable engineering practices among US engineering programs, providing peer-reviewed materials and workshops. With $1.7M NSF & $350K EPA support, the initiative seeks to encourage engineers to incorporate environmental constraints into projects.
Researchers at Penn State developed implantable glucose sensors to monitor troops' metabolic health in the field. The sensors can detect glucose, oxygen, lactate, and pyruvate levels, providing valuable insights into a soldier's overall metabolic picture.
The ACS Honors 2005 Heroes of Chemistry, who developed treatments for psychosis, myeloid leukemia, and dental disease. They also created cleaner gasoline and materials for smaller computer chips.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a beetle-inspired switch that uses surface tension to create bonds, opening up possibilities for powerful adhesive bonding in arrays. The switch can be scaled down to the size of a micron and operates using water and electricity.
Engineers at the University of Florida have developed a water-shedding compound that reduces water retention in fabrics by up to 20%, resulting in faster drying times for clothes. This innovation has the potential to save consumers $266 million annually and reduce residential electricity consumption by 5%.
A recent study published in Chemical & Engineering News reveals that many cats lack the sensitivity to catnip due to genetic variation. The chemical compound nepetalactone is responsible for triggering behaviors in sensitive felines, but its potency can be preserved by storing it in the freezer.
The American Chemical Society's annual employment survey reveals that median salaries for US chemists have increased by 4-5% across all levels. Notably, there has been a dramatic shift towards biologically-related jobs among chemists over the past two decades.
UCSB has been awarded two NIH Program of Excellence (PEN) grants in nanotechnology, totaling $25.5 million, to develop nanoscale agents for diagnosing and treating pulmonary artery disease and detecting vulnerable plaque. The projects aim to create targeted nanoparticles that can deliver diagnostic systems and therapeutic agents direct...
The Burnham Institute has been awarded $13 million by the NIH to develop novel nanotechnology solutions for diagnosing and treating heart disease. The program aims to target vulnerable plaque, which can rupture and cause cardiac issues, with innovative nano-devices and self-assembling polymers.
A multi-disciplinary team, led by UCSB professors, aims to develop novel technologies to diagnose and treat heart disease. The team will focus on creating nano-delivery vehicles, molecular nano-stents, and bio-nanoelectromechanical systems (BioNEMS) to target vulnerable plaque.
Researchers have developed a new purification process that combines high throughput with high selectivity, enabling more fine separations. By attaching a negatively-charged dye molecule to the protein of interest, retention is enhanced in higher proportion than when it wasn't tagged.
The top chemical producers saw a significant increase in sales in 2004, with Dow Chemical leading the way at $40 billion. DuPont's sales remained relatively stable, while ExxonMobil Chemical experienced a notable jump of 38%.
Researchers at VCU have created a unique polymer coating that switches from being hydrophilic to hydrophobic when exposed to water, offering potential applications in medical testing and fluid control. The coating's reversible properties make it suitable for various industries.
Starting salaries for new chemists have remained stagnant since 2002, with median salaries ranging from $32,500 to $43,600. Despite modest gains in employment rates, the overall job market remains challenging for young chemistry graduates.
The American Chemical Society's Academic Employment Initiative (AEI) offers advice on applying for chemistry faculty positions. AEI aims to broaden the hiring process to include more women, minorities, and candidates from lesser-known universities. The initiative emphasizes research fit and highlighting one's unique qualities.
The US chemical industry saw significant earnings growth in Q4 2004, with total earnings rising 52% year-over-year to $9.58 billion. Sales increased 15.1% to $139.7 billion, driving aggregate profitability to 6.9%. Rising selling prices and strong demand fundamentals contributed to the growth.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have successfully levitated micron-sized fluids using small magnets on a postage-stamp sized chip. This innovation enables the control of tiny droplets and crystals, opening up possibilities for future research in DNA manipulation, nanotubes, and other areas.
Two University of Houston chemical engineering students built a fuel-cell-powered shoebox car that carried 400ml water 75ft in under an hour. The team's achievement marked the first time UH students participated at the national level.
The Florida Institute of Technology has launched a hydrogen fuel cell research center with a focus on developing new mainstream energy sources. The center, which brings together faculty from various colleges, aims to pool expertise and solve complex problems in the field.
Researchers have successfully grown ultralong carbon nanotubes that exhibit superior electrical properties to copper, a world record for nano-materials of this length. The discovery paves the way for innovative applications in supercomputers and healthcare.
Researchers at New Jersey Institute of Technology have discovered a novel filtration system that can efficiently separate proteins, a crucial step for pharmaceutical applications. The new technology uses a membrane with almost identical molecular weights for proteins, making the process more cost-effective and faster.
A team of researchers developed a mathematical model to explain the 5-second delay between head motion and vertigo attacks, suggesting that tiny particles called otoconia may be responsible. The study used hydrodynamic models to show that loose otoconia can cause disruptions in the inner ear, leading to dizziness.
Charles Liotta and Charles Eckert developed benign tunable solvents that couple reaction and separation processes, reducing waste and allowing recycling of catalysts. Their sustainable technology uses near-critical water, supercritical carbon dioxide, and other eco-friendly methods.
Demand for US chemical products increased while firms cut costs. Dow Chemical topped sales at $9.3 billion, followed by DuPont at $8 billion. DuPont led earnings with $964 million, ahead of Dow's $469 million increase in the same quarter last year.
The 2003 Starting Salary Survey shows a shift in employment patterns among new chemistry Ph.D. graduates, with more taking lower paying academic positions. Median salaries were lower than previous classes, with bachelor's graduates still below the all-time high.