Message from the Chair

Welcome! Faculty in the Department of Chemical Engineering are engaged in world-class research in energy, nanotechnology, biofuels, nuclear energy and computer simulations of complex processes. Our comprehensive energy portfolio spans research in energy extraction, utilization, transportation and environmental impact, while our nanotechnology efforts emphasize renewable energy, sensors and medical diagnostics. Our unique strength derives from performing experiments from nanoscale to pilot scale, and high-resolution computer simulations for designing, understanding and guiding relevant physical processes.

Our department works closely with three multidisciplinary institutes – the Institute for Clean and Secure Energy (ICSE), the Energy and Geoscience Institute (EGI) and the Nano Institute. With our research expenditures doubling in the last five years to more than $10 million, we offer graduate students exciting and diverse opportunities to be involved in high-impact, cutting-edge research.

Our undergraduate program is anchored by dedicated and caring faculty that are invested in our students. Our freshman laboratory constitutes hands-on designing, creating and testing experience for our students and provides an early introduction to innovation and creativity in chemical engineering. Our rigorous undergraduate curriculum prepares students with chemical engineering fundamentals along with skills needed to succeed in the workplace – communication, teamwork, ethics and a deep understanding of societal and global needs.

We encourage our students to take advantage of all the great opportunities in the department and our faculty expertise to achieve their maximum potential. We invite prospective graduate and undergraduate students to familiarize themselves with the great educational opportunities available at the University of Utah in one of the most beautiful settings in the world. We thank our friends from the industry and alumni for all the support as we look forward to building stronger, long-lasting collaborations. With ever-growing applications in energy and environment, semiconductors, pharmaceutics, medicine and food science, it is a great time to be a chemical engineer!

Projects Lab Renovations

Watch this video to see how donations to the department have helped improve the students' learning experience.

Chem-E-Car

Watch this video to see how Lola finished in this year's competition.