Innovating Safely, Sustainably, Globally

Research Experience for Undergraduates (REUs) are summer research programs in the United States, primarily funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Programs run for 8-12 weeks and allow undergraduates from community colleges and 4-year universities to engage in full-time STEM based research. Some other benefits include:

• Stipend

• Housing

• Meals

• Travel allowance

REUs are especially valuable for chemical engineering and STEM majors because they offer the kind of hands‑on, project‑based experience that classrooms rarely provide. Students get to work with real instrumentation, contribute to ongoing research, and build technical skills in areas like materials science, reaction engineering, environmental systems, biotechnology, and computational modeling. Beyond the lab, REUs help students strengthen their scientific communication, expand their professional network, and gain competitive experience that supports graduate school applications, industry internships, and future research opportunities.

Many REUs also give students the chance to present their work at local, regional, or national conferences, an experience that builds confidence, strengthens communication skills, and looks incredible on a CV. These programs often become more than just research: students form close friendships with their cohort, explore new cities together, and create memories that last long after the summer ends. For many participants, the REU community becomes a network of peers and mentors who continue to support each other throughout their academic and professional journeys.

Applying to REUs can feel overwhelming, but a few strategic steps make the process much smoother. Start early, tailor your personal statement to each program’s research focus, and ask for recommendation letters well in advance. Strong applications clearly show your curiosity, your willingness to learn, and how the REU aligns with your academic or career goals. Staying organized is just as important: keeping track of deadlines, required materials, and program details can make or break your application season.

That’s exactly why a simple tracking sheet can be so helpful as it keeps deadlines, materials, and program details organized so nothing slips through the cracks.

Learn more about REUs by visiting the official NSF website: https://www.nsf.gov/reu

As practicing chemical engineers, safety isn’t an add‑on to our work, it’s the framework that shapes every technical decision we make. Whether we’re designing a new unit operation, reviewing a P&ID, or troubleshooting a process upset, our first responsibility is to understand the hazards and engineer systems that minimize risk. Organizations like the AIChE Process Safety Division (AIChe PSD) provide ongoing guidance, case studies, and professional standards that help us stay grounded in best practices as the industry evolves.

In day‑to‑day practice, safety shows up in the details: conducting thorough hazard analyses, maintaining clear communication across shifts, documenting changes rigorously, and ensuring that controls, both engineered and administrative, are functioning as intended. The Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS) continues to be a cornerstone resource for process safety principles, offering frameworks that help engineers anticipate failure modes rather than react to them. Over time, these habits become part of our professional identity, shaping how we lead teams, design systems, and contribute to a culture where safety is shared, visible, and non‑negotiable.

As a practicing engineer, how has your approach to safety evolved over time, and what habits or mindsets have had the greatest impact on the way you lead and make decisions?

Solar thermochemical hydrogen production is an emerging clean‑energy pathway that uses concentrated solar heat, often above 1,200 °C, to drive redox reactions that split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Unlike electrolysis, which depends on electricity, this method directly converts solar thermal energy into chemical energy, reducing conversion losses and enabling high theoretical efficiencies. The U.S. Department of Energy notes that solar thermochemical cycles could play a major role in large‑scale, low‑carbon hydrogen production in regions with strong solar resources

As momentum for clean hydrogen grows worldwide, solar thermochemical production is emerging as a strategic option for countries with high solar resources. Regions such as the Middle East, North Africa, Australia, and Southern Europe are evaluating large‑scale deployment because strong direct normal irradiance (DNI) significantly boosts system efficiency. A global assessment by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) highlights that solar‑driven hydrogen pathways, including thermochemical cycles, could play a major role in reducing industrial emissions and supporting international hydrogen trade as costs decline.

Hydrogen produced through this route can support decarbonization across multiple sectors: industrial heat, ammonia production, transportation fuels, and long‑duration energy storage, making it a compelling option for regions seeking to transition away from fossil‑based hydrogen.

As solar thermochemical hydrogen technologies continue to advance, do you believe this pathway can become a practical, large‑scale solution for sustainable hydrogen production in high‑solar regions?

Heat exchangers are devices that let heat move from one fluid to another without the fluids ever mixing. Think of them as the “middlemen” of temperature control in chemical processes. One stream gets hotter, the other gets cooler, and the exchanger quietly makes it happen behind the scenes.

At their core, heat exchangers rely on a simple idea: hot things naturally transfer heat to cold things. Engineers take advantage of this by designing equipment where two fluids flow close to each other, separated by metal walls that conduct heat efficiently. You’ll see these everywhere: in power plants, refineries, HVAC systems, and even your car’s radiator.

Why they matter? Because controlling temperature is essential for reaction rates, product quality, energy efficiency, and safety. A well‑designed heat exchanger can save money, reduce emissions, and keep a process running smoothly.

Quick Explanation Diagram

Step 1: Hot fluid enters on one side.

Step 2: Cold fluid enters on the opposite side.

Step 3: Heat moves through the metal wall (fluids never mix).

Step 4: Hot fluid cools down; cold fluid warms up.

Biochemical engineering sits at the intersection of biology and chemical engineering, turning living systems into powerful tools for manufacturing. Instead of relying solely on traditional chemical reactions, biochemical engineers harness cells, enzymes, and biological pathways to produce medicines, vaccines, biofuels, food ingredients, and sustainable materials. It’s the branch behind everything from insulin production to fermentation‑based plastics.

At its core, biochemical engineering is about understanding how living organisms behave under controlled conditions and then scaling those conditions from a tiny flask to a massive industrial bioreactor. These engineers design processes that keep cells healthy, productive, and stable while meeting strict safety and quality standards. They think in terms of growth curves, nutrient balances, oxygen transfer, and downstream purification.

Biochemical engineering is also a major driver of the sustainability transition. From engineered microbes that convert waste gases into fuels to precision fermentation that reduces reliance on agriculture, this field is reshaping how we produce essential goods with a smaller environmental footprint.