Keynote Speaker: Dr. Esin Gulari
"Chemical Engineering In The Era of Nanotechnology, Biotechnology and
Information Technology"
Dr. Gulari started her Keynote speech citing three priorities
for contemporary chemical engineering set forth by the National Science
Foundation. The first of the priorities is nanotechnology or the
manipulation and control of matter at the atomic level and molecular
level. The implications of such developments can be seen in the areas of
highly selective drug delivery systems, resilient materials and faster computer
chips. The second priority concerns information technology especially in
the area of communication. In this realm, the terra grid was
discussed. This is essentially a large data repository with expanded
access making information more readily available. The last priority
discussed was the development of biotechnology. In this area there was
emphasis on biomimetic processes (mimic nature), tissue engineering and
the application of biochemistry in the development of non-fossil fuel feed
stocks (energy of the future).
It is these priorities that graduate curriculums will focus
on. The next question was then the issue of how to fill the gap between
the undergraduate and graduate curriculums. By gap, it is meant the
difference of what is gained from undergraduate work versus what is needed for
graduate work. Dr. Gulari makes suggestions to fill the gap. The
most significant suggestion made is in the usage of electives. Chemical
engineering electives should be used as a means of preparation for graduate
studies. The electives should all be focused in one area as if on were
getting a minor in this area. For instance if one were to focus on tissue
engineering electives studied might be in the realm of mechanical strengths and
biology. The electives should thus be used to align undergraduate programs
with graduate programs.
Questions, Answers and Comments concerning Keynote Speech:
Comment: It isn't a knowledge gap so much as an example gap.
Graduate work is at the frontier of research but undergraduates work on old
examples and hence an education gap is created between undergraduate and
graduate programs.
Response to Comment: It is the fundamentals that enable us to take on
new areas of research and it is important not to lose the core of chemical
engineering in undergraduate programs. The current core program may be
dated in some respects but it is the building blocks upon which all else is
founded.
Words of Advice: Bette Feehan, Sr. Manager, AIChE Career
Services
In her speech, Advice is provided to help achieve success in our chemical
engineering endeavors. She puts an emphasis on making oneself indispensable.
She recommends talking to the manager and learning what the department needs are
and meeting these needs. This behavior is key in promotions and enables
one to excel in the work place. She also places an emphasis (especially
for students getting ready to graduate) on the advantage of obtaining P.E.
status. As students it would be advantageous to become Professional
Engineers. This status adds to one's credentials and creates an added job
security. Aside from this many states are requiring that companies have a
P.E. on site thus furthering a need for chemical engineers with this
status.
There was also an emphasis placed on networking. Ms. Feehan compares
networking to banking. One needs to make deposits of contacts consistently
otherwise one will never be able to withdraw them. With this the
importance of organizations such as the AIChE arises as a good place to network.
Information Session: Basil Doumas, Former National AIChE
President
He discussed how he is an example of the old-way. With this the
objective was to interview well and find a job out of college that would last
the remainder of one's career. This isn't the case anymore, however, and
with this an emphasis was placed on keeping one's "tool kit" up to
date. He placed an emphasis on constant learning through classes and
journals even after one graduates. An emphasis was also placed on taking
the fundamentals of engineering exam, a starting stage in becoming a P.E.
(professional engineer). All this is done with the intent to make oneself
more marketable as an employee. For more information on P.E.s or the
fundamentals of engineering exam see www.NCEES.org
Another change that students are exposed to after gradation is exposure to a
wide variety of people. At a university, students are surrounded by others
of similar standing. Upon entering the work force this is no longer the
case and students will be involved with people from various levels of an
organization. Mr. Doumas goes on to say we must have equal respect for all
people regardless of position.
Chem Car Competition: How'd they do it??
In starting, the general idea behind the chem car competition is to build a
car the is powered by a chemical reaction. The car will have to travel a
certain distance that can be varied (this wasn't done at this competition
though) carrying various amounts of weight. The team that crosses the
desired distance or comes closest to doing so is the winner.
To shed some light onto the different designs various chem cars used, this
section will summarize the various chem car power sources that were used.
In one situation Zinc and Copper plates were used in a Copper Sulfate
solution. The Zinc serves to release electrons while the Copper takes in
the electrons. With this a flow of electricity is generated that can thus
be used to power the car. Each Zinc/Copper unit is a cell. All of
the cars using such technology had several cells creating electricity. As
a mechanism to turn the electric motor off after the desired distance is
traveled one team used a peroxide decomposition reaction. With peroxide
put into a syringe, it will decompose to hydrogen and oxygen. When the
syringe fills with a certain amount of oxygen a kill switch is hit which cuts
power to the engine. By adjusting the oxygen amount required to hit the
kill switch, the distance traveled can be varied.
Another car design used Sodium Bicarbonate in vinegar as a power
source. In this case the two fuels were charged into a container and the
container sealed. Upon mixing these two agents together, gas is generated
which increases the pressure in the container. The container was then
fastened to a car body. Protruding out of the tail end of the container
was a closed end nozzle. Upon cutting the nozzle, the higher pressure on
the inside of the container caused a spewing of gas (and liquid) out of the
nozzle providing the car with thrust. By varying the amount of agents
added to the container the pressure generated and hence the distance traveled
could be controlled. The team that won the competition used the same fuels
to generate pressure but took different approach. Instead of spraying out
a nozzle, the pressure was used to turn and engine which hence propelled the
car.
One of the most novel designs, albeit probably the most inefficient, was the
design by the home team. The approach taken here was to ignite magnesium
metal using a combustion reaction. Magnesium would burn yielding an
extremely bright light. This bright light was then used to power solar cells
that provided the cars motor with the power needed to
move.
Some More Pictures From The Trip!!!
Two tanks of gas and 800 miles of pavement...we
finally made it......wait where's Pete.....I knew we forgot something!!!!!!!
Oh...there he is...
Okay, these pictures are getting a
little redundant...let's go outside!!!
That's how you know a school is big,
when they have their own busing service right next to their own castle ...they
probably need the buses to get back and forth to the airport they have on
campus...That's right, airport....
No funny comment here...This is too
nice a picture
Wow...Some truly amazing shots
compliments of Peter Thai...
What can I say...This campus is
beautiful inside as well as out!!!
