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Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering
What is chemical and materials engineering?
Chemical engineering activities include the conception and development of processes and their products, and from design through to management of process plants, along with research and education in these fields.
Converting raw materials into useful products. For example:
- developing metal alloys to make aeroplane wings, alloy wheels, tools
- turning crude oil into petrol, plastics, synthetic fibres (polyester, nylon)
- turning milk into butter, cheese, powder
- developing biomaterials to make replacements for body parts.
Altering the chemical, biochemical or physical state of a substance to create value-added products. For example:
- face creams
- fuels
- washing powder
- aluminium
- steel
- alloys
- ceramics
- biomaterials
- pharmaceuticals
- processed foods
- paper
- materials for electrical components
- coatings.
Doing things on a large scale. For example:
- A chemist who discovers a new drug, needs a chemical and materials engineer to manufacture large quantities of the drug. Millions of people are saved.
Designing sustainable manufacturing processes to operate in a safe, environmentally- friendly and cost effective way.
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