Press Releases

The increasing importance of issues surrounding water supplies and their sustainability has led the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) to launch a new water initiative. Its initial focus will be on determining the optimal roles and approaches for chemical engineers addressing water access, purification and sanitation, and the “water-energy nexus,” the relationship between the energy footprint of water and the water footprint of energy.

The American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) announced that Maria K. Burka, program director in the Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental and Transport Systems Division of the National Science Foundation in Arlington, Virginia, will become president of the 40,000 member organization in 2011.

In a ceremony during its Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City last week, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) presented its Sustainable Energy Award to the UOP-ENI Biologically-based fuels team. The award, which was first presented in 2009, recognizes individuals, teams or companies who have made a significant contribution toward alternative energy development, generation and use.

In a ceremony during its Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City last week, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) presented its inaugural Industrial Leadership Award to S. Shariq Yosufzai, vice president, Chevron Corporation. The award recognizes individuals or teams working in the industries served by chemical engineers, for leadership and accomplishment in activities including: management; sales and marketing; public, community, and industrial relations; commercial and business development, training, or public service.

In a ceremony during its Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City last week, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) presented its new Engineering and Construction Award to Marathon Petroleum Company for the successful design and construction of the addition to its Garyville, Louisiana, refinery. This award recognizes individuals and teams for achievement in the design and/or construction of process plants or process plant revamps.

More than 5,000 engineers and undergraduate engineering students are expected to converge on the city for plenary lectures, 12 topical conferences, more than 700 technical sessions and special events. The conference focuses on all aspects of chemical engineering, from alternative energy and energy efficiency to nuclear energy, sustainable water supplies and bioengineering.