EMERGING FIELDS

FOR CHEMICAL
ENGINEERS

By:
Adwin Jesusston
(3122231003002)
Abhimanyu Srinivasan
(3122231003001)
 Contents
• Introduction
• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical engineering application
• Sustainable process
• Advanced Materials
• Energy storage and conversion
• Process Intensification
• Synthetic biology and Bioengineering
• Conclusion
 INTRODUCTION
What is chemical Engineering?
Chemical engineering is a multi-faceted engineering discipline that combines chemistry,
physics, mathematics, biology, and economics. It focuses on the design, production, use,
and transformation of chemicals, materials, and energy. Think of it as taking science to
a massive scale for practical, everyday applications.

Why chemical engineering?

Change the World: You get to help solve big problems like finding clean energy,
making new medicines, and protecting the environment.
Cool Science + Real Stuff: You use science (like chemistry and physics) to design
factories and make things people use every day.
Lots of Job Choices: Chemical engineers work on food, fuel, technology, medicine –
basically everything!
Good Pay: Chemical engineers make good money so you can live comfortably.Feel
Good Work: You know your job helps people and makes the world a better place.
Nanotechnology:
Nanotechnology is a rapidly developing field that deals with the manipulation of matter
at the atomic and molecular scale. Chemical engineers play a crucial role in several
aspects of nanotechnology, from designing and creating nanomaterials to developing
applications for these materials. Here's a breakdown of their involvement:
1. Designing and Synthesizing Nanomaterials:
Chemical engineers are experts in reaction chemistry, thermodynamics, and mass
transfer. They leverage this knowledge to design and develop processes for synthesizing
various nanomaterials with specific properties – size, shape, and composition.
This might involve techniques like chemical vapor deposition, hydrothermal synthesis,
or bottom-up approaches using building blocks like atoms or molecules.
2. Scaling Up Production:
Making nanomaterials in a lab is one thing, but large-scale production is another.
Chemical engineers bridge this gap by designing and optimizing processes for large-
scale, cost-effective production of these nanomaterials.
They consider factors like safety, environmental impact, and efficient use of resources to
ensure sustainable and commercially viable production.
3. Applications Development:
• Chemical engineers don't just make nanomaterials; they also play a role in developing
applications for them.
• They collaborate with scientists and engineers from other disciplines to explore how
these materials can be integrated into devices, products, and processes in various fields
like:
• Medicine: Drug delivery, biosensors, and tissue engineering.
• Electronics: Miniaturized circuits, displays, and energy storage devices.
• Environmental Science: Water purification, pollution remediation, and
sustainable materials.
4. Safety and Environmental Considerations:
• As with any new technology, there are potential safety and environmental concerns
with nanomaterials. Chemical engineers play a vital role in assessing these risks and
developing safe handling procedures for nanomaterials throughout their lifecycle.
Biomedical engineering applications:
Chemical engineers make significant contributions to the field of biomedical
engineering, especially in the exciting area of tissue engineering. Here's how:
1. Biomaterials Design:
Chemical engineers create materials that act like scaffolds for cells to grow on.
These scaffolds need to be:
Biocompatible: Friendly to the body and don't cause harm.
Biodegradable: They break down safely after the new tissue forms.
Have the right structure: They mimic the real tissue's shape and support cell
growth.
2. Controlling Cell Behavior:
Chemical engineers develop ways to modify the surfaces of biomaterials with
molecules that tell cells what to do - grow, move, become a muscle cell, etc.
They incorporate growth factors (like special signals) into biomaterials to direct
how the new tissue develops.
3. Bioreactors:
Growing tissues outside the body requires special conditions. Chemical engineers
design bioreactors that mimic the body's environment.
They control things like temperature, nutrients, oxygen, and how cells are
physically arranged to make growing tissues easier.
4. Drug Delivery:
Combining engineered tissues with smart drug delivery systems is a powerful
tool. Chemical engineers design materials and methods for delivering drugs directly
to the engineered tissue, increasing effectiveness.
Example: Creating Artificial Skin

Chemical engineers develop a scaffold with the right texture to mimic skin.
They add molecules to the scaffold that encourage the growth of skin cells.
They design a bioreactor to provide the ideal environment for the cells to multiply.
The result could be a life-saving treatment for people with severe burns.
Sustainable process:
1. Resource Efficiency
Process Optimization: Chemical engineers analyze existing manufacturing
processes to find ways to reduce waste, minimize energy consumption, and use
resources more efficiently.
Alternative Raw Materials: They research and develop processes that utilize
renewable or recycled feedstocks instead of relying on finite and polluting fossil
fuels.
2. Pollution Prevention and Minimization
Cleaner Production Methods: Chemical engineers design new processes from the
ground up that generate less pollution and fewer hazardous byproducts.
Waste Treatment and Remediation: They develop technologies to treat existing
waste streams, detoxify pollutants, and recover valuable materials for reuse.
Carbon Capture and Utilization: Chemical engineers work on capturing carbon
dioxide (CO2) from industrial emissions and either storing it safely or converting it
into useful products like fuels or chemicals.
3. Designing Sustainable Products
Bio-Based Materials: Chemical engineers research and create new materials
derived from renewable sources like plants, which can replace less sustainable
petroleum-based materials.
 Materials with Longevity: They focus on designing products that are durable, easy
to repair, and recyclable at the end of their life, reducing the need for constant new
production.
Green Chemistry Principles: Chemical engineers integrate the principles of green
chemistry into their work, emphasizing the design of safer chemicals and processes
that minimize environmental impact.
 Advanced Materials
• These include materials which are used for electronics and
photonics, materials which respond to
interactions ,materials used for structural applications and
so on.

• Materials used for electronics and photonics include use of

those materials which have specific properties suited for the
need of their application. For example, OLED and quantum
dots. Research in OLED technology continues to focus on
improving efficiency.

• Smart materials consist of those materials which respond to

external stimuli like light, pressure. For example, SMA.
Research in SMAs is focused on enhancing their
performance, durability, and functionality.

• Materials used for structural applications are composite

materials which are made from the combination of 2 or
more unique materials, for enhanced mechanical
performance. For example, CRFP composites. Research in
CFRP composites is focused on advancing manufacturing
techniques, reducing production costs.
 Energy Storage
and Conversion
• Energy storage and conversion emerge as
an important field for chemical engineers
due to the need for sustainable energy.

• Energy storages, storages which can store

electrical energy from renewable resources
and deliver it when needed are of prime
importance. For example, battery
technology.

• Energy conversion, is also a growing area

of research for Chemical Engineers. For
example, solar energy conversion.
 Process Intensification
• Process intensification attempts to
maximize the performance of chemical
processes while minimizing resource
consumption, waste generation, and
environmental impact.
• It has a range of strategies and
techniques that enable the design and
operation of more compact, efficient,
and cost-effective process systems.
• Major steps in process intensification
include integration, miniaturization,
multifunctionality, novel materials and
advanced process control.
• Example, microreactors and
microfluids.
 Synthetic Biology and
Bioengineering
• Synthetic biology and bioengineering focus
on the design, construction, and
manipulation of biological systems for
practical applications.

• Some concepts include genetic engineering

and bioprocess engineering.

• Emerging trends in this field include cell free

systems which allow researchers to engineer
biological systems out of living cells.

• Synthetic biology and bioengineering hold

great potential for addressing diverse societal
challenges and driving innovation in
biotechnology, healthcare, and sustainability.
 CONCLUSION:
• In the future, numerous
Conclusion
fields emerge due to innovation
and impact.

• Chemical engineers play a vital role in driving progress

and innovation across diverse sectors.

• From nanotechnology to synthetic biology, each offers

unique opportunities for chemical engineers to make
significant contributions to society and industry.

• Their primary goal is to find a sustainable solution and

shape a brighter future, with the help of technology.
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