Research may involve the use of chemical engineering principles in non-traditional application areas. Alternatively, research can also involve pursuing a solution to a traditional chemical engineering problem by first developing an approach in another application area. To meet theoretical objectives, the specific applications provide the testbeds for investigating, developing and or progressing new methodologies and approaches. From a practical perspective, by focusing on specific applications and setting practical goals, the projects simultaneously result in specific deliverables. The overall objective is a healthy interaction between academia and industry.
Technology integration represents a defining research emphasis within the program.
Projects focus on the development and integration of a variety of knowledgebased system techniques, neural reasoning approaches, conventional control methodologies, statistical approaches, filtering techniques and numeric and symbolic simulations. Projects, however, have been defined in terms of functional objectives and not technologies. Examples of current projects include on-line diagnosis of continuous and batch operations, data interpretation, intelligent control, sensor validation and enhanced knowledge acquisition. The program objectives are being pursued through specific applications in the petroleum, chemical, paper, manufacturing, agricultural and electronics industries. Engineering knowledge databases.