American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)

Overview:

AIChE (American Institute of Chemical Engineers) is a professional association, founded in 1908, to provide information on advancements in Chemical Engineering to its members. The work of scientists like Lavoisier and Priestly in the 18th century had lead to the explosion in chemical methodology and applications in the 19th century, and the nascent divide between inorganic (mostly redox) and organic chemistry. By the turn of the 20th century, the need for special focus on chemical engineering - the design, implementation and monitoring of chemical production facilities - became manifest. Chemical production facilities can operate at the scale of a refinery, bench reactor, or *DPN¨ (*Dip Pen Nanolithography¨).

AIChE operates internationally and is organized into: geographical local sections, which span many interests; and technical societies and divisions, which focus on applications and issue. Applications include "old line" industries like Fuel and Petrochemicals and Forestry Products to emerging (and emerged) industries in Nanotechnology and Biological Engineering. Not surprisingly AIChE also has two HS&E divisions, Health & Safety and Environmental. Membership is open to all interested including students, but the tier of Senior Member requires more time in the institute for those who haven't graduated from college than from those with at least a degree in Chemical Engineering.

*DPN¨ and Dip Pen Nanolithography¨ are registered trademarks of NanoInk, Inc.