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The stated objectives
of the Division are "to support programs that promote the science,
techniques, and technology of chemical process and product development".
This continues to be supported by member surveys, which show that
the primary purposes of the Industrial and Engineering Division
are to "act as an information resource, arrange meetings and symposia,
provide information on new technologies, and provide Newsletters
and abstracts".
The past twenty-five
years have continued the trend, first noted in the 1975 review,
away from the established "traditional" chemical industry and
engineering topics into emerging areas of special interest. The
broad programming of special symposia that were held outside of
the National Meetings to accommodate those interests were gradually
brought back into the National Meeting format through the development
of new sub-divisions. The Division experienced dramatic growth
in the period from 1975 to 1985, increasing membership by over
50%. This membership level stabilized in the late 80's and 90's
as many of the subdivisions achieved a size to become full Divisions
in their own right. The Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Division
has been the starting point of over 11 ACS Divisions throughout
its history. The Division currently supports a large Separations
subdivision, and two other very active subdivisions - Green
Chemistry and Engineering, and Advanced
Materials and Nanotechnology. [See NOTE
below]
The Division developed
and presented several hugely popular short courses during this
time, including a series on Chromatography by Dr. Harold M. McNair
and the long-running "Chemical Engineering for Chemists" by Dr.
Richard G. Griskey. Through the topical timeliness of symposia,
many seminal books were published. These books documented and
lead the growth of many current areas of intense scientific activity.
The 90's saw the development of Student Poster Sessions at National
Meetings, which encouraged local university student participation.
This also influenced the development of the Sci-Mix session format
for future ACS National meetings, and it has become a favorite
feature of the meetings.
The Division continues
to attract industrial chemists and engineers into a productive
interaction with government and academic colleagues. As a primary
supporter and forum for the Vision2020
program, the Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Division has
provided a springboard for the development of practical engineering
and chemistry solutions for the ensuing decades. Similar collaborations
with the EPA in Green Chemistry symposia have also resulted in
substantial synergies in research and applications in significant
technologies.
We move into the next
millenium with three vibrant, active, growing subdivisions and
a solid commitment to programming in whatever areas of chemistry
and engineering require our unique combination of cutting-edge
research and practical industrial application. The Division proudly
upholds and advances the legacy that it began as the first Division
of the American Chemical Society in 1908.
[NOTE:
Since this review was written, the division has added two subdivisions
- Industrial Bio-based Technology and
Novel Chemistry with Industrial Applications Subdivision, Chair
Joe Zoeller, e-mail jzoeller@eastman.com]
This paper is intended
to review significant events in the past 25 years of the Division's
history. This review was compiled by Steven
J. Cooke, Chair of the Division for the year 2000, with the
input and advice of the Executive Committee of the Division, and
the available historical records.
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