primary research theme: industrial ecology and green engineering
Sustainability, a balance between growth, efficiency, natural resource use, and a healthy environment, has become an overarching goal of environmental research. Similarly, this approach is increasingly being applied to specific industries and institutions. Many global chemical industries have begun a move to emphasize work in life sciences and environmentally friendly chemical synthesis. Feasibility research into sustainable development and the mechanisms to achieve this balance between growth and the environment is of great importance but is in its infancy. Research in this area will include: (1) modification of chemical production lines, (2) new "green" chemical synthesis routes that discourage the manufacture and use of toxic (a non-sustainable) chemicals, and (3) life cycle analysis to evaluate production sustainability.