Solar Cell Efficiency Record Broken with New "Tandem" Cell

May 30, 2012. By ChEnected Guest
The inefficiencies of previous generation solar cells are rapidly becoming a thing of the past. In collaboration with the UCLA California NanoSystems Institute and Sumitomo Chemical of Japan, researchers at the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science have created a “tandem” solar cell that increases efficiency to a certified 10.6% by capturing energy in multiple spectra.

GASFRAC Takes the Water out of Fracking

May 29, 2012. By Kent Harrington
GASFRAC's technology uses a propane gel which is pumped into the shale, but unlike water, the gel reverts to vapor along with the natural gas. Could this technique ease some of the environmental debates surrounding fracking? Read on to learn more about how its already being used.

AIChE Apprentices: An Opportunity to Make a Difference

May 18, 2012. By Arjun Gopalratnam
This summer, AIChE is launching a new program to empower young professionals to affect the direction of the chemical engineering profession. It will provide opportunities in advocacy/policy work, service projects in the developing world, outreach, and more. Read on for more details.

Closing Energy and Material Balances in Food Production

May 17, 2012. By Robert Szczesniak
The hotel I am staying at in Thailand started a hydroponic garden, turning a previously unused area into productive one. While being "green" is among their objectives, this project is also a real measure of their operational philosophy of supplying quality products in a natural way.

Meet a Young Professional Local Section: Mid-Michigan

May 14, 2012. By Leaelaf Hailemariam
The Mid-Michigan Section of AIChE (MMAIChE), through its events and outreach programs, provides local chemical professionals with opportunities for networking and developing their careers, and for promoting the value of science, technology, and engineering within the local community.

What Is CTOC?

May 14, 2012. By ChEnected Guest
The Chemical Engineering Technology Operating Council (CTOC) oversees two major efforts on behalf of AIChE and the profession: first, the frontiers of chemical engineering—in other words, knowledge advancement; and second, the dissemination of that knowledge.