Achieving Sustainable Buildings Through Chemical Engineering

The general movement towards developing buildings that are intrinsically linked to their local communities and attempt to minimize the negative ecological effects of their design and operation is termed ‘sustainable’ or ‘green’ building design. One of the Grand Challenges for Engineering identified by the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) addresses this movement and is known as the Challenge to Restore and Improve Urban Infrastructure. According to NAE, good design and advanced materials can improve transportation and energy, water, and waste systems, and also create more sustainable urban environments. This session will focus on investigating sustainable building research, development, and applications and will include presentations followed by a moderated discussion among audience members and speakers. Papers that reflect work in sustainable or green building design solutions are invited. The discussion will address the role of chemical engineering and chemical engineers in responding to the NAE Grand Challenge and achieving a sustainable urban environment. Progress or innovation in the field will be highlighted in conjunction with fundamental principles of sustainability from the chemical engineer's perspective.