Research Frontiers

RESEARCH FRONTIERS IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING Starting New Technologies... 

The new research frontiers in chemical engineering, some of which represent new applications for the discipline, have important implications for education. A continued emphasis is needed on basic principles that cut across many apphcations, but a new way of teaching those principles is also needed. Students must be exposed to both traditional and novel applications of chemical engineering. The American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) has set in motion a project to incorporate into undergraduate chemical engineering courses examples and problems from emerging applications of the discipline. The committee applauds this work, as well as recent AIChE moves to allow more flexibility for students in accredited departments to take science electives. 

In terms of a balanced portfolio of funding sources, the committee proposes initiatives for industry and a number of federal agencies in Chapter 10 and Appendix A to ensure a healthy diversity of sponsors. Table 1.1 links specific research frontiers to funding initiatives for potential sponsors. 

A third balanced portfolio, of funding mechanisms, is needed if the above-mentioned research frontiers are to be pursued in the most effective manner. Different frontiers will require different mixes of mechanisms, and the decision to use a particular mechanism should be determined by the nature of the research problem, by instramentation and facilities requirements, and by the perceived need for trained personnel in particular areas for industry. This topic is discussed in more detail in Chapter 10. 

TABLE 1.1 High-Priority Research Frontiers and Initiatives"... 

While the mechanical performance of artificial materials in the human body can be predicted with some rehabihty, forecasting their biological performance is difficnlt. The problem of interactions at surfaces has already been mentioned. Research frontiers also include developing ways to simulate in vivo processes in vitro and extending the power and apphcability of such simulations to allow for better prediction of the performance of biomedical materials and devices in the patient. Fundamental information on the correlation between the in vivo and in vitro responses is limited. Chemical engineers might also make contribntions to the problem of noninvasive monitoring of implanted materials. 

A wide variety of chemical engineering research frontiers involve advanced materials and belong in the mainstream of academic chemical engineering departments. The following list of frontiers ranges from the molecular level to the systems level. 

The study of materials has traditionally centered on the influence of molecular composition and microstracture on mechanical, electrical, optical, and chemical properties. At the molecular level are a variety of research frontiers that can profitably draw chemical engineers into close collaboration with physical and theoretical chemists. They include the following research areas. 

Chemical dynamics and modeling were identified as important research frontiers in Chapter 4. They are critically important to the materials discussed in this chapter as well. At the molecular scale, important areas of investigation include studies of statistical mechaiucs, molecular and particle dynamics, dependence of molecular motion on intermolecular and interfacial forces, and kinetics of chemical processes and phase changes. 

Different research frontiers require different mixes of support mechanisms. The appropriate mix for a particular area depends on several of factors, including the nature of the scientific area its requirements for expensive equipment, instruments, or facilities and the need for trained personnel from that area in the broader economy. 

Two years ago, the National Research Council published a report on research frontiers and needs in chemistry entitled Opportunities in Chemistry, and known colloquially as the "Pimentel Report" after its chairman, George C. Pimentel. That report identified many of the same areas discussed in this report and focused on how chemists contribute to them. This committee endorses the recommendations contained in Opportunities in Chemistry, and urges their implementation in addition to the recommendations contained in this volume. The two reports, like the two disciplines, should be seen as complementary, not competing. A vital base of chemical science is needed to stimulate future progress in chemical engineering, just as a vital base in chemical engineering is needed to capitalize on advances in chemistry. 

The chemical engineering research frontiers of most relevance to the Department of Defense are in materials. Faster electronic devices, more reliable communication systems, and stronger structural components are all needed by DOD in order to fulfill its mission. Chemical processing is a valuable tool to tailor these materials for specific mihtary uses. 

Mein, J. R., N. Chongvirihaphan, and X. D. Wang. 2006. The effect of combined antioxidant supplementation (beta-carotene, ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol) on the expression of CMOl and CM02 in smoke-exposed ferrets. In American Association of Cancer Research Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research Meeting. Boston, MA. 

Castro, G.A. and Amtzen, C.J. (1993) Immunophysiology of the gut a research frontier for integrative studies of the common mucosal immune system. American Journal of Physiology G599-G610. 

Polymer Science and Engineering. The Shifting Research Frontier, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 1994. 

Miller JS, Epstein AJ (1993) In O Connor CJ (ed) Research frontiers in magnetochemistry. World Science, Singapore, p 283... 

For both counselors and therapists, the treatment plan provides an excellent way to determine when a client is ready for aftercare. As you may remember, the treatment plan includes various types of problems that are prioritized by the relative threat to the recovery and well-being of the client (see Chapter 4, especially Research Frontiers on page 166. Counselors and therapists can also use the tier system to guide their determination of when a client is ready for a taper in treatment or therapy. For example, counselors and therapists will most certainly want clients to be stable before referral to aftercare, which suggests that all Tier 1 and... 

On sociological constructivism, see Steven Shapin, "Discipline and Bounding The History and Sociology of Science as Seen through the External ism-Internal ism Debates," 203208, in Conference on Critical Problems and Research Frontiers in History of Science and History of Technology, 30 October 3 November (Madison History of Science Society, 1991). 

Dahlback M, Eirefelt S, Nerbrink O (1996) Aerosol delivery to the respiratory tract in experimental animals. In Marijnissen JCM, Gradon L (eds.) Aerosol Inhalation Recent Research Frontiers. Kluwer academic publishers, Netherlands, pp 235-246. 

After an introduction (Chapter 1), the following five chapters (Chapters 2-6) present the physical principles and formal expressions used in solvent extraction. They are followed by eight chapters (Chapters 7-14) of various industrial applications and two concluding chapters (Chapters 15 and 16) indicating the research frontiers and future developments in technology. 

In Proceedings of the International Workshop on Aerosol Inhalation, Lung Transport, Deposition and the Relation to the Environment Recent Research Frontiers, Warsaw, Poland, 14—16 September 1995 (Eds Marijnissen JCM, Grado n L). Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, 1996. 

Corrosion Research Frontiers. Atmospheric Corrosion in Tropical Climate. 

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