I’m back in the lab at UNC Charlotte after an incredibly rewarding time at the AIChE Annual Meeting in Boston! This premier event for chemical engineers is always a fantastic opportunity to dive deep into the latest research and network with colleagues, and this year was no exception.
What I Learned
The technical program was packed with stimulating content, but a few key areas really stood out and will directly influence our work here at the Performance Materials Lab:
- Additive Manufacturing for MedTech: The integration of advanced 3D printing with novel polymeric resins to create customized, patient-specific medical devices and scaffolds for tissue engineering.
- Durability and Degradability: The challenge is finding the right balance—creating materials that are durable and high-performing in use, but truly and safely biodegradable or compostable at the end of their lifecycle.
- Sustainability and Circular Economy: There was a strong, necessary emphasis on chemical process design for a circular economy, including upcycling and sustainable polymers. We are already heavily invested in this area, and the discussions provided fresh perspectives on how to scale our work on creating biocomposites from waste streams.
- Data Science and AI in ChemE: I attended several presentations highlighting the growing role of machine learning and data analytics in optimizing chemical processes and accelerating materials discovery. This integration of computational tools is essential for pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the lab.
Connecting with the Community
One of the most enjoyable parts of any conference is reconnecting with familiar faces and forging new collaborations. It was truly great to:
- Catch up with Old Friends: It’s always a pleasure to see former colleagues, mentors, and collaborators. These face-to-face interactions spark new ideas and reinforce long-standing professional bonds.
- Make New Connections: I met several bright young researchers and industry leaders who share our passion for high-performance, sustainable materials. We’re already exploring potential new research collaborations that could lead to some exciting developments.
Huge thanks to the organizers for a well-run conference, and to everyone who shared their fantastic work. The energy and intellectual curiosity in Boston were truly inspiring.
I’m energized and excited to bring these new insights back to the team and apply them to our ongoing projects!
