Multidisciplinary aspects of Novel Process Engineering

This paper describes a NSF-funded Undergraduate Faculty Enhancement Workshop on Novel Process Science and Engineering. The project DUE-9752789 supports two hands-on, industry integrated workshops that will have a major impact on upper and lower level engineering, technology and science instruction as well as having a secondary impact in the preparation of future teachers. One workshop was held in July 1998 and another one is scheduled for July 1999. Participants will gain experience in process engineering through hands-on laboratories, industry experts, and interactive demonstrations. Through industry involvement from 10 process engineering companies, faculty were given an initial networking base. Companies contributing industrial speakers include Sony Music, Inductotherm, DuPont Engineering, Chemical Industry Council of New Jersey, Cochrane, Tasty Baking Co., DuPont Pharmaceuticals, DuPont Nylon, Hyprotech, and Mobil Technology Co. Participants use the given methodology to integrate novel processing into their curricula and develop an action plan for their home institution. Active learning methods were employed in the workshop and participants were encouraged to incorporate this experience into their teaching style.