It is the branch of engineering concerned with the design, construction, and operation of machines and plants that perform chemical reactions to solve practical problems or make useful products. What do chemical engineers do all day? However, most chemical engineers do work in larger companies as part of a team. From the development of smaller, faster computer chips to innovations in recycling, treating disease, cleaning water, and generating energy, the processes and products that chemical engineers have helped create touch every aspect of our lives. The AIChE Academy provides online courses, webinars and more to aid in your professional development. Specifically, chemical engineers improve food processing techniques, and methods of producing fertilizers, to increase the quantity and quality of available food. Within these industries, chemical engineers rely on their knowledge of mathematics and science—particularly chemistry— to overcome technical problems safely and economically. They produce a range of materials, from fuels and fertilisers to processed foods, beer and wine, polymers and pharmaceuticals. Chemical engineers have been improving our well-being for more than a century.
Chemical engineers work mostly in offices or laboratories. Their expertise is also applied in the areas of law, education, publishing, finance, and medicine, as well as in many other fields that require technical training. Chemical engineers face many of the same challenges that other professionals face, and they meet these challenges by applying their technical knowledge, communication and teamwork skills; the most up-to-date practices available; and hard work. It would take too long to list all the products that are impacted by chemical engineers, but knowing what industries employ them may help you comprehend the scope of their work. From the development of smaller, faster computer chips to innovations in recycling, treating disease, cleaning water, and generating energy, the processes and products that chemical engineers have helped create touch every aspect of our lives. And there are lots of benefits like networking, scholarships, career placement, education opportunities, and much more.
Chemical engineering is applied chemistry. What Chemical Engineers Do. Don't make the mistake of thinking that chemical engineers only “make things,” though. Chemical engineers also develop solutions to environmental problems, such as pollution control and remediation. Benefits include financial reward, recognition within industry and society, and the gratification that comes from working with the processes of nature to meet the needs of society. You'll learn about chemical engineering’s great achievements, bold innovators, and new frontiers in the fields of energy, the environment, biomedicine, electronics, food production, and materials.