Taster Lecture - Nature-Inspired Chemical Engineering: A NICE Approach to Solve Challenging

Abstract:

Solving persistent engineering challenges related to energy, water, environment, health and manufacturing requires a transformative approach. We turn to nature for inspiration, because nature provides us with examples of solutions, perfected over the eons, to similar challenges as those we encounter in technology, such as scalability, efficiency and resilience. I will discuss our systematic, Nature-Inspired Chemical Engineering (NICE) methodology as a pathway to innovation. This approach allows us to merge creativity with rational design. I will show how we learn from trees, lungs, kidneys and dunes to intensify chemical and energy processes, and discover materials for biomedicine and built environment. This second taster lecture on NICE will repeat the fundamental material on NICE of April’s lecture, but present different examples as well.

Presented by:

Marc-Olivier Coppens, Ramsay Memorial Professor in Chemical Engineering

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