Innovation is the key to economic growth, and research and development (R&D) is key to innovation. While industry recognizes that R&D is vital to longterm success, it focuses, of course, on marketable results from research — after all, R&D is expensive, and cost without any foreseeable return is not good business. From my R&D background in the chemical process industries (CPI), I’m familiar with the struggle around keeping R&D efforts — particularly longterm programs — aligned with the scalable and profitable results sought by industry, while allowing the bright, scientific minds attracted to R&D the freedom that they need to explore and discover.
Various strategies have been developed and implemented to help bridge the gap,...... http://www.che.com/editors_comments/A-winning-formula-for-innovation_5883.html
Next month, on May 5th, the American Chemical Society (ACS; Washington, D.C.; http://www.acs.org) and more than 200 other private- and public-sector organizations representing more than 6.5 million science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) professionals will celebrate the first National Lab Day. At the most basic level, National Lab Day aims to inspire a wave of future innovators and foster U.S. competitiveness by improving the quality of STEM education in America. In a broader sense, though, the initiative is an acknowledgement of the greater prominence that STEM education and careers hold in some parts of the world and reminds all of us — regardless of nationality — of the value in engaging our children in the fascinating relevance of the chemical engineering profession.... http://www.che.com/editors_comments/Help-cultivate-budding-ChEs_5556.html
Chemical engineering principles do not differ by geographical location. The same cannot be said, however, about the established criteria for certifying that an individual has mastery of those principles. Requirements for obtaining a professional license or charter in the field vary widely from country to country, and in the U.S. they even vary from state to state. Such inconsistencies further complicate an initiative that has recently gained momentum — and criticism — in the U.S. and elsewhere: raising the educational prerequisite from a bachelor’s to a master’s degree.... http://www.che.com/editors_comments/Licensure-around-the-globe_4828.html
The anthropogenic global warming debate experienced a reawakening last month, following the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed finding that greenhouse gases contribute to air pollution that may endanger public health or welfare. In an effort to keep the debate from heading far off course, I must comment on one particular argument that is, in my view, nonsensical and ultimately distracts attention away from the interests of the chemical process industries (CPI).... http://www.che.com/editors_comments/Keep-the-GHG-debate-on-point_4757.html
Longtime readers of this magazine may notice that the April cover theme marks an exception to a rule that has been fairly well established for awhile now. Topics on the cover of Chemical Engineering typically reflect one of the practical, how-to articles that we are known for — or at least point readers to an especially timely and lengthy news roundup article. This time, however, instead of focusing on a single comprehensive story or even a two-part series, we highlight an important thread that weaves throughout the issue. That thread is Achema 2009, the 29th International Exhibition-Congress on chemical engineering, environmental protection and biotechnology, which will take place next month (May 11 – 15) at the colossal fairgrounds in Frankfurt, Germany. Notably contrary to what one would expect for a trade show in this economy, Achema does not show signs of unraveling.... http://www.che.com/editors_comments/Achema-maintains-influence_4640.html
Although the inauguration of the U.S.’s 44th President is now fading into memory, the changes that Barack Obama’s Administration will bring to the chemical process industries (CPI) are only beginning to reveal themselves. One thing is very clear, though: In these tough economic times, some very important policy issues are on the agenda with direct implications to our field. At the top of the list are plant security and energy, both of which are complicated by an longstanding public-relations challenge.... http://www.che.com/editors_comments/Is-change-coming-to-the-CPI_4487.html
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