2020 News

2020

2019 2021

Nov 16

New program prepares students for the pharmaceutical industry

The new Master's in Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering program provides students with a unique, cross-disciplinary education in both engineering and biology to help them succeed in the pharmaceutical industry.

Oct 21

Foundation for the future Opens in new window

Zachary Blonder’s experience conducting research on processes relevant to pharmaceuticals synthesis with Nisha Shukla as an undergraduate steered him toward a position in the pharma industry after graduation.

Oct 14

Ulissi and Facebook AI create world’s largest catalysis dataset Opens in new window

Zack Ulissi and Facebook AI Research (FAIR) have created the Open Catalyst Project, the largest dataset of its kind, to accelerate the discovery of new catalysts for use in renewable energy storage.

Sep 29

Celebrating Black in Microbiology Week Opens in new window

Chemical Engineering’s Kishana Taylor is hosting the first Black in Microbiology week, a unique program that aims to highlight Black scientists and their contributions to the field of microbiology.

Sep 23

Virtual ChEGSA Symposium open to all

With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic requiring many on-campus events to go remote, this year's ChEGSA Symposium is prepared for a new change.

Sep 17

Simulating engineering experiments at home or in the lab Opens in new window

The use of force-feedback joysticks in lab demonstrations could forever change engineering education, especially for students in underresourced environments or those affected by disaster.

Sep 11

ChemE outreach takes new forms

Now more than ever, it’s important to bring a diversity of young minds to chemical engineering to tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow. That’s why ChemE remains committed to reaching out into the community to spark young minds of all backgrounds through a number of outreach programs.

Aug 13

Nanoparticles to immunize plants against heat stress Opens in new window

Greg Lowry and Bob Tilton have created a new type of nanoparticle that may be able to immunize plants against harsh environmental conditions and pathogens.

Research paper Opens in new window

Research paper Opens in new window

Aug 07

Discovery of naturally chiral surfaces for safer pharmaceuticals Opens in new window

Nisha Shukla and Andrew Gellman have developed a number of new, easier methods for making naturally chiral metal surfaces.

Watch the Video Opens in new window

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Jul 31

Fall semester brings innovative courses to ChemE

From hybrid teaching models to remote-controlled lab equipment to student mentoring programs, ChemE is ready to provide students with a safe and enriching educational experience this Fall.

Jul 24

A new perspective in the fight against COVID-19 Opens in new window

Elizabeth Wayne has received funding through the NSF RAPID program to study an often-ignored cellular factor in the mortality rate of COVID-19.

Jul 17

Engineering ways to keep doctors safe from COVID-19 Opens in new window

When Allegheny Health Network and Magee Plastics needed help perfecting their simple intubation boxes, they turned to Carnegie Mellon engineers Ryan Sullivan and Coty Jen.

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Jul 06

Alumni write books to combat climate change Opens in new window

With their new book series The Adventures of the Earth Defenders, a pair of ChemE alums are combining their entrepreneurial spirit with their passion for the environment to create real-world change.

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Jun 19

Calcium helps build strong cells Opens in new window

Research from Kris Dahl marks the first definitive look at how cells maintain structural integrity under mechanical strain.

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May 14

Researchers discover rapid mechanism for atmospheric particle formation

An international team of researchers have discovered a previously unknown mechanism that allows atmospheric particles to very rapidly form under certain conditions. The research, published in Nature, could aid efforts to model climate change and reduce particle pollution in cities.

May 13

AI helps researchers up-cycle waste carbon

A collaboration between CMU ChemE and the University of Toronto has produced a record-setting catalyst for CO2-to-ethylene conversion.

May 11

Engineering alumnus shares 100 years of stories Opens in new window

Alumnus E. Gerald Meyer (’40 ’42) proves that age is just a number. Meyer, who turned 100 last November, is impressively busy and not slowing down.

May 07

Prescribed burns may introduce new atmospheric toxins Opens in new window

Prescribed burns are an effective method for managing forests and controlling wildfires. But burning such a large amount of built-up fuel can significantly impact regional air quality.

Apr 23

Zack Ulissi receives 3M award

Zack Ulissi has received a 3M Non-tenured Faculty Award, which recognizes outstanding young faculty who excel in STEM research, academic leadership, and experience.

Apr 08

ChemE donates equipment to battle COVID-19

The Department of Chemical Engineering pulled together to donate personal protective equipment, including gloves, masks and disposable gowns, to local health care workers to help battle COVID-19. In addition to this PPE, the department also donated viral RNA isolation kits, which are essential in testing patients for the virus.

Mar 27

Move to remote research invites innovation Opens in new window

While much of our lives can now function remotely, the transition to online poses unique challenges for academia—particularly for research universities like Carnegie Mellon.

Mar 09

Safety top of mind for Baranowski Opens in new window

As an integral member of the “Rethink the Rink” team, Joanna Baranowski is working to make hockey safer.

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Feb 21

Engineering the face of cosmetics

When cosmetics companies are looking for world-class chemists and chemical engineers for formulating cosmetics, they turn to Carnegie Mellon’s Colloids, Polymers and Surfaces (CPS) program.

Feb 13

Alum creates endowed fund to support complex fluids research

Chemical engineering alumnus Prasad Setty (E ‘1994) and his wife Shoma recently made a $100,000 gift to the Department of Chemical Engineering to create an endowed fund in support of research in complex fluid interfacial phenomena.

Feb 07

Robinson named to National Academies study committee

Department Head Anne Skaja Robinson has been named to a committee of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Board on Chemical Science and Technology that will study the challenges and opportunities of chemical engineering in the 21st century.

Jan 27

The future of human healing lies in the brain of a starfish Opens in new window

Stem cell therapy is about to get a whole lot cheaper, thanks to the incredible regenerative powers of starfish.

Jan 23

Alumna Named American Nuclear Society President

Chemical Engineering alumna (’83) and Vice President of Exelon Generation Marilyn C. Kray has been named President of the American Nuclear Society, the country’s foremost organization committed to the development of nuclear technologies.

Jan 13

Evolution in the air Opens in new window

Two new studies show how aerosol optical tweezing can allow scientists to scrutinize the components of the atmosphere with new precision.

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Jan 06

Salting down the cost of protein-polymer drugs Opens in new window

Alan Russell and Stefanie Baker have developed a novel method to purify the protein-polymer conjugates used in pharmaceuticals to ensure they perform properly.

Research paper Opens in new window

Media Mentions

Nature

Spotte-Smith quoted on AI ethics

ChemE’s Evan Spotte-Smith spoke with Nature in regards to the ethics of AI, specifically pertaining to intellectual property. “Removing peoples’ names from their work can be really damaging, especially for early-career scientists or people working in places in the global south,” Spotte-Smith explained.

Associated Press

Donahue discusses chemical detectors in regards to 2023 train derailment

ChemE and EPP’s Neil Donahue spoke with the Associated Press about last year’s East Palestine train derailment in Ohio. He discussed how it is customary to report chemical levels that exceed chemical detectors and their reliability.

Inaugural Dennis C. Prieve Endowed Lecture

John Y. Walz ('92), president, Milwaukee School of Engineering, will give the inaugural Dennis C. Prieve Endowed Lecture on October 8, 2024.

Chemical & Engineering News

Niepa comments on synthetic polymer that mimics barnacles

ChemE’s Tagbo Niepa was quoted by Chemical & Engineering News about a recent study that developed a synthetic polymer that can mimic the ways in which barnacles clean surfaces. Niepa explained the potential benefits this development could provide, explaining, “you can think about a way of cleaning a catheter, for instance, that is fully infected with bacteria.”

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