Articles tagged with Chemical Engineering
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%.
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.
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.
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.
A team of researchers has successfully synthesized polyols from soy oil through air oxidation, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional petroleum-based chemicals. This breakthrough could lead to the development of biocompatible and biodegradable materials for various industries.
The Virginia Tech trio of Tom Ward, James McGrath, and Garth Wilkes has been awarded the Paul J. Flory Polymer Education Award by the American Chemical Society Division of Polymer Chemistry for their long-term efforts in educating students in polymer science and engineering. The award recognizes the trio's creation of an interdisciplin...
Companies like Gemesis and Apollo Diamond are creating lab-grown diamonds over a carat in size that match mined counterparts in terms of chemical and physical properties. Additionally, colored diamonds can be created by introducing controlled elemental impurities, such as nitrogen for yellow stones or boron for blue gems.
Researchers create new microfluidic chip assembly method using glass microscope slides, tweezers, and a flexible polymer, cutting design and manufacture time from weeks to hours. The new approach enables scientists to test ideas quickly and conduct research in typical laboratories.
A team of UC Davis students conducted experiments on formation of new materials by combustion in an electric field using NASA's 'Vomit Comet' aircraft. The low-gravity environment enhanced the effect of the electric field, creating unique properties in new materials.
The Honeywell center at Virginia Tech fosters collaboration between faculty and students on creative research projects. These partnerships have led to significant revenue increases for companies like Honeywell Specialty Materials.
Researchers at Purdue University have made a groundbreaking discovery about the formation of drops from nozzles, which could lead to new methods for making threads, wires, and particles. The team found that when a nozzle is immersed into sticky liquids, such as honey or silicone oil, the drop forms differently, creating an extremely th...
The SCOPE/IUPAC project aims to assess the environmental and health impacts of endocrine active substances. A comprehensive review will facilitate risk assessment and inform policy decisions on addressing these issues.
A University of Toronto professor has created a way to turn hemp into strong and lightweight biocomposites. These materials can be used in various applications such as automotive interior parts, structural buildings, sports equipment, and even medical devices like cardiac devices and blood bags.
Consuming foods containing trans fatty acids raises LDL cholesterol and the risk of coronary heart disease. Manufacturers can create these unhealthy fats by hydrogenating unsaturated oils, making them artery-cloggers.
Virginia Tech researchers have developed a process to create acrylic fibers without solvents, reducing processing time and environmental impact. The new method uses a photocrosslinkable group that reacts with UV light, allowing for faster and more efficient production of carbon fibers.
The American Chemical Society's 80th anniversary issue highlights the Periodic Table of Elements, exploring its role in everyday life and containing pertinent technical information. The special issue features essays from Nobel Prize winners, industry experts, and authors who helped discover elements.
A new study suggests that massive methane releases could have led to the extinction of up to 95% of marine species and 70% of land species. The researcher estimates that 10,000 gigatons of dissolved methane could have been released, causing catastrophic conflagrations and flooding.
The Wyeth Pharmaceuticals team is being recognized for their role in developing the first combined pneumococcal vaccine for infants, Prevnar. The vaccine has dramatically advanced the health and well-being of children worldwide by preventing serious diseases such as meningitis, bacteremia, and pneumonia.
The Pfizer Inc team won the Heroes of Chemistry award for developing Neurontin, a medication controlling seizures in children. This breakthrough led to improved quality of life for many children with epilepsy, demonstrating the valuable role chemists play in improving lives.
Dale J. Kempf, Daniel W. Norbeck, and Hing L. Sham receive award for developing Kaletra, the first HIV protease inhibitor approved for use in children as young as six months old.
The story of low-tech erasers begins in the 1560s with graphite sticks and evolves into crude pencils. In 1839, Charles Goodyear developed the vulcanization process to cure rubber, increasing strength, stability, and elasticity. This innovation enabled mass production of pencil erasers.
The Amorphophallus titan, or 'Ted the Titan,' produces a distinctive odor to attract flies for pollination. Scientists have identified compounds in the plant's scent that are similar to those found in rotting meat, and research is underway to isolate these compounds and explore their potential uses.
A team of University of Toronto researchers has created a biodegradable scaffold that accelerates bone healing rates by providing a building structure for bone growth. The scaffold, similar in structure to a dish sponge, eventually dissolves, eliminating the need for expensive chemicals called bone growth factors.
DuPont researchers developed a new way to make methyl isocyanate on site, reducing hazardous material handling by thousands of pounds. The approach has changed the company's handling of many hazardous chemicals, enhancing its environmental safety.