What is Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering?

Carbon nanotubes are particles possessing remarkable properties: they are 30 to 100 times stronger than steel at a sixth of the weight, possess a thermal conductivity near that of diamond, and the electrical conductivity of copper. Applications of carbon nanotubes have been envisioned, including incorporating them into polymeric materials to form carbon nanotube nanocomposites. The resulting nanocomposites demonstrate more mechanical strength, electrical conductivity and flame retardant properties than their unfilled counterparts. This image uses transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to observe the diameter distribution of multi-walled nanotubes. Note the contrast between the outer and center portions of the tubes, indicating their hollow structure.

The chemical engineer is primarily concerned with research and process development leading to new chemical process ventures or a better understanding of existing ones; with the efficient operation of the complete chemical plant or its component units; with the technical services engineering required for improving and understanding plant operation and the products produced; with the sales and economic distribution of the plant products; and with the general management and executive direction of processing plants and industrial complexes. The process may be a chemical, petrochemical, biochemical or petroleum operation.

Over the last 20 years, biology has taken its place alongside chemistry as one of the sciences forming the basis of the chemical engineering discipline. The profession has now expanded to include creating biochemical products, such as pharmaceuticals and materials for biomedical applications. Chemical and biomolecular engineers are also creating products at the nonoscale, including advanced drug delivery systems and "smart" fluids that respond to light and electrical signals.

Because of this wide range of ultimate applications, the chemical engineer finds interesting and diverse career opportunities in such varied fields as chemical (inorganic and organic), food processing and manufacturing, metallurgical, polymer, energy conversion, environmental engineering, petroleum (refining, production, or petrochemical), and pharmaceutical industries. Additional opportunities are presented by the research and development activities of many public and private research institutes and all government agencies. Our graduates have taken jobs with companies like DuPont, ExxonMobil, Proctor & Gamble, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Department of Defense.

And on top of all of the options, and opportunities, chemical and biomolecular engineers have traditionally ranked at or near the top of starting salaries among all of the engineering professions!

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