Chemical and biological engineering is influencing every aspect of our lives, from batteries, catalysts, and nanotechnology to biotechnology and solutions for environmental issues. In this article, we will explore how chemical and biological engineering is revolutionizing our daily lives and shaping the future.
The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and the World of Advanced Technology
Science and technology are incorporated into most of the items we use in our daily lives. Science and technology are utilized in televisions, microwaves, audio systems, cell phones, and even in every single fluorescent light bulb. When discussing fields with widespread applications among these technologies, chemical engineering is an indispensable part of the conversation. Chemical engineering is utilized in countless applications, from the process by which fluorescent lights emit light, to the liquid crystal displays found in LCD monitors, TVs, and cell phones, to batteries that apply electrochemistry. The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering is where this field of chemical engineering is studied.
Of course, as the name suggests, the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering does not focus solely on chemical engineering. Alongside chemical engineering, it also covers fields such as biotechnology and environmental biology. The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering strives to create new knowledge at the intersection of chemistry and biology and apply it to real-life situations to improve the quality of human life. From here on, I will explain our major in greater detail.
In our department, major choices can be divided into fields that focus on chemical engineering and those that focus on biotechnology. Chemical engineering can be further divided into basic science and engineering science. Basic science is divided into areas such as organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and polymer properties, while the engineering technology field covers a wide range of areas including catalysis, electricity, batteries, process technology, and design.
The Importance of Chemical Engineering
In the field of engineering technology, let’s first take the example of batteries, which I mentioned in the introduction. There are countless types of batteries available on the market. Batteries are used in the cell phones we commonly use, and they are also used to start cars. Furthermore, the battery built into a computer ensures that the clock remains accurate even when the computer is turned off. Hybrid cars, which are currently gaining popularity in the market, are also products that use these batteries to reduce petroleum consumption. The field that researches and develops these batteries is electrochemistry and battery science. In electrochemistry, researchers investigate which materials and mechanisms can be used to create batteries that last longer and deliver higher output. Of course, this encompasses everything from the small batteries we commonly use to industrial batteries and even solar cells. Furthermore, the field of electrochemistry and battery science encompasses the study of most electrical mechanisms.
Currently, one of the most prominent fields within chemical engineering is catalysis. A catalyst is a substance that alters the rate of a chemical reaction without itself being consumed. We can observe catalysts in action in processes that convert harmful components in factory smoke or automobile exhaust into harmless substances like carbon dioxide. Since there are various types of catalysts with differing performance characteristics, active research is underway to develop more efficient catalysts. In addition, process design and research aimed at managing industrial processes more efficiently are also key areas of focus in our major.
The basic science field centers on research in the natural sciences, particularly chemistry. Organic synthesis, inorganic chemistry, and polymer properties are representative examples. In the case of organic synthesis, this field involves investigating the mechanisms of reactions between molecules, as well as researching synthesis or decomposition methods to recycle waste products generated in petrochemical processes. Additionally, through these synthetic processes, we create polymer materials to examine their specific properties. On the other hand, there is also a field that involves reducing particle sizes to the nanoscale to study the properties of materials at that scale.
In reality, the molecular-scale materials studied in chemistry are difficult to observe with the naked eye, making it very challenging to examine their properties. Furthermore, they often exhibit characteristics that do not conform to the laws of physics as we generally understand them. For example, while gold is typically thought of as golden in color, when its molecular size is reduced, it can appear red or blue. Since the properties of these nano-sized particles differ from those of polymers and the macroscopic world, research in this field is actively underway.
The Role of Biotechnology
The field of biotechnology encompasses areas such as life sciences and environmental biology. Life sciences gained prominence a few years ago when issues surrounding cell cloning became widely known to the public. The field of biotechnology encompasses not only such cell cloning but also research on stem cells. Stem cell research is currently receiving significant attention in the medical community and is opening up possibilities for treating various intractable diseases. Environmental biology is a field that studies microorganisms, water pollution, and environmental pollution in the field. Recently, as environmental pollution has emerged as a major issue, the importance of environmental biology has grown significantly. Various biological methods to solve environmental problems are being researched, and these are establishing themselves as essential elements for sustainable development.
The Future of Chemical and Biological Engineering
In reality, chemical engineering and biological engineering play such a significant role in the world we live in that they are indispensable. If chemical engineering had not advanced, we would be facing many inconveniences in our daily lives. We would likely still be living without televisions, cell phones, or cars. Chemical engineering is deeply rooted in our lives, whether we realize it or not, and it will continue to be applied across even more fields and throughout society as a whole. The advancement of chemical engineering will not only improve our standard of living but also play a crucial role in the development of new industries and economic growth.
Biotechnology will also have a significant impact on our lives. The applications of biotechnology are endless, ranging from medical research for healthy living, biological methods for environmental protection, to genetic research aimed at increasing agricultural productivity. In the future, chemical and biological engineering will continue to make significant contributions to human welfare, environmental protection, and industrial development. Through such research and development, we will build a better future.
