Chemical engineering

(Photodisc)

You might be surprised to learn just how much chemical engineers effect our world and the role they will play in our futures. Here are 10 ways that chemical engineers are changing our lives for the better.

1. Chemical engineers are now working on ways of creating clean energy from water by breaking down water into its basic parts: hydrogen and oxygen. Energy is released by burning the hydrogen, with the only “waste” product being water.

2. In communities damaged by war and natural disaster, chemical engineers work to find solutions to provide basic necessities such as clean water. They are also working to create enzymes or catalytic reactions that destroy any harmful organic matter or organisms in water.

3. As intensive farming practices become more common internationally, chemical engineers are developing disease-resistant and drought-tolerant crops.

4. Chemical and biochemical engineers are working together to find out how to grow human organs, such as skin, lungs and hearts.

5. The world relies on steel, which requires a lot of energy and raw materials to produce. Chemical engineers have invented a more efficient production route called HIsmelt, which cuts emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants by a fifth.

6. Chemical engineers work with governments and industry to encourage education policy and law-making initiatives.

7. Petrol, plastic and fibres such as nylon are processed from crude oil. Chemical engineers are working towards finding ways to make their manufacturing processes cleaner and biodegradable.

8. Chemical engineers have designed a new generation of nuclear power plants that emit considerably less waste than existing plants.

9. While sugar and salt help to preserve food, it is bad for us in large amounts. Chemical engineers are trying to develop new, non-chemical technologies to preserve food so that we can improve our diets.

10. Chemical engineering is the highest paid of all the engineering disciplines: graduates typically earn a starting salary of £24,000.