New Directions for Chemical Engineering

Over the past century, the work of chemical engineers has helped transform societies and the lives of individuals, from the synthetic fertilizers that helped feed the world to the development of novel materials used in fuels, electronics, medical devices, and other products. Chemical engineers' ability to apply systems-level thinking from molecular to manufacturing scales uniquely positions them to address today's most pressing problems, including climate change and the overuse of resources by a growing population. New Directions for Chemical Engineering details a vision to guide chemical engineering research, innovation, and education over the next few decades. This report calls for new investments in U.S. chemical engineering and the interdisciplinary, cross-sector collaborations necessary to advance the societal goals of transitioning to a low-carbon energy system, ensuring our production and use of food and water is sustainable, developing medical advances and engineering solutions to health equity, and manufacturing with less waste and pollution. The report also calls for changes in chemical engineering education to ensure the next generation of chemical engineers is more diverse and equipped with the skills necessary to address the challenges ahead. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction 2 Chemical Engineering Today 3 Decarbonization of Energy Systems 4 Sustainable Engineering Solutions for Environmental Systems 5 Engineering Targeted and Accessible Medicine 6 Flexible Manufacturing and the Circular Economy 7 Novel and Improved Materials for the 21st Century 8 Tools to Enable the Future of Chemical Engineering 9 Training and Fostering the Next Generation of Chemical Engineers 10 International Leadership References Appendix A: List of Acronyms Appendix B: Journals Used in International Benchmarking Appendix C: Summary of Results of the Chemical Engineering Community Questionnaire Appendix D: Acknowledgments Appendix E: Committee Member and Staff Biographical Sketches