Environmentally conscious manufacturing is achieved through a series of product and process changes, which often results in a cascading effect in supplier and user industries. The goal of this research is to begin the complex task of modeling the entire set of effects, including energy utilization, that results from successful pollution prevention implementation.
Thermodynamic analyses is used to focus on areas of greater potential for pollution prevention.
This is a new research dimension for life cycle inventory techniques. Projects are now focused on pharmaceutical development of chiral and biotechnology routes for new drug candidates. Analysis of eight chiral routes, multiple solvent options, and material inputs is underway to determine lower environmental emissions and lower costs. Also in the pharmaceutical field, a project is offered on new unit process design and analysis for life cycle improvement. This is the start of an initiative to add life cycle results to engineering design in a way that should have wide generic impact.