Achieving Sustainable Buildings Through Chemical Engineering

The movement towards developing buildings that are intrinsically linked to their local communities while minimizing 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 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. Systems perspectives and the technologies that are applied to achieve this challenge are fundamental concepts found in the curriculum and practice of Chemical Engineering. However, the collection and organization of chemical engineers that work in the niche of the built environment is limited but growing with a need for a forum promoting communication and collaboration. This session will focus on investigating sustainable building research, development, applications, and promotion of a Chemical Engineering Building Science Community. Presentations will be followed by a moderated discussion among audience members and speakers. Papers that reflect work in sustainable or green building design solutions are invited, including expertise of market leaders that have need of advanced building technologies. 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 keeping in mind the call for expertise in application and research trends. Progress or innovation in the field will be highlighted in conjunction with fundamental principles of sustainability from the chemical engineer's perspective.