Chemical engineering is all about finding new, exciting ways to make our world better. Whether you’re a scientist or just love learning, this article is your guide to 100 amazing research ideas. We’ll talk about making things cleaner, using tiny particles to do big things, and finding ways to use less and save more. iLovePhD discovers how chemical engineering can make our future brighter and greener.

Chemical Engineering in 2024

In 2024, the field of Chemical Engineering continues to evolve rapidly, driven by advancements in technology, sustainability efforts, and global challenges. Here are some key aspects of Chemical Engineering in 2024:

1. Sustainable Practices: Chemical engineers are increasingly focused on developing sustainable processes and products to minimize environmental impact. This includes innovations in renewable energy, green chemistry, and waste reduction techniques.
2. Digitalization and Industry 4.0: The integration of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics is revolutionizing the way chemical processes are designed, monitored, and optimized. Industry 4.0 principles are being applied to improve efficiency, safety, and reliability in chemical plants.
3. Biotechnology and Bioengineering: The intersection of chemical engineering with biotechnology continues to expand, leading to breakthroughs in areas such as biopharmaceuticals, biofuels, and biodegradable materials. Engineers are leveraging genetic engineering and metabolic engineering techniques to develop novel bioproducts.
4. Advanced Materials: Chemical engineers are at the forefront of developing advanced materials with tailored properties for various applications. This includes nanomaterials, smart materials, and biomaterials, which have potential uses in electronics, healthcare, and environmental remediation.
5. Process Intensification: There is a growing emphasis on process intensification techniques to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of chemical processes. This involves compacting unit operations, improving heat and mass transfer, and reducing energy consumption and waste generation.
6. Circular Economy: Chemical engineers are playing a crucial role in transitioning towards a circular economy by designing processes that maximize resource efficiency and minimize waste generation. This includes recycling and upcycling of materials, as well as developing closed-loop systems for product lifecycle management.
7. Health and Safety: Safety remains a top priority in the chemical engineering industry, with ongoing efforts to mitigate risks associated with hazardous materials and processes. Engineers are implementing advanced safety protocols, predictive modeling, and real-time monitoring systems to ensure a safe working environment.
8. Global Challenges: Chemical engineers are actively involved in addressing global challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, and food security. They are developing innovative solutions to produce clean energy, purify water, and enhance agricultural productivity while minimizing environmental impact.

Overall, Chemical Engineering in 2024 is characterized by a strong focus on sustainability, innovation, and addressing societal needs through interdisciplinary collaborations and technological advancements.

Top 91 Chemical Engineering Scopus Journals 2024

100 Research Ideas in Chemical Engineering

1. Sustainable approaches to chemical process design:

• Integration of renewable energy sources.
• Minimizing waste and emissions.
• Life cycle assessment of chemical processes.

2. Green solvents for industrial applications:

• Development of non-toxic solvents.
• Solvent recycling and reusability.
• Solvent selection for specific processes.

3. Catalyst development for renewable energy production:

• Hydrogen production catalysts.
• Catalytic processes in biofuels.
• Novel catalyst materials.

4. Nanomaterials for improved catalytic reactions:

• Role of nanoparticles in catalysis.
• Synthesis of nanoscale catalysts.
• Catalytic applications of nanomaterials.

5. Advanced separation techniques in chemical engineering:

• Membrane-based separations.
• Chromatographic separations.
• Separation of azeotropic mixtures.

6. Bioprocess engineering for biofuel production:

• Fermentation processes.
• Enzyme engineering for biofuels.
• Microbial strain development.

7. Process intensification in chemical manufacturing:

• Microreactors for intensified reactions.
• Heat integration in processes.
• Continuous flow chemistry.

8. Waste-to-energy technologies in chemical industries:

• Pyrolysis of waste materials.
• Anaerobic digestion for biogas.
• Energy recovery from industrial byproducts.

9. Development of biodegradable polymers:

• New biodegradable polymer materials.
• Processing techniques for biodegradable plastics.
• Environmental impact of biodegradable polymers.

10. Carbon capture and utilization in chemical processes:

• CO2 capture methods.
• Conversion of captured CO2 into valuable products.
• Utilizing CO2 in chemical processes.

11. Optimization of heat exchangers for energy efficiency:

• Design and modeling of heat exchangers.
• Heat exchanger fouling and cleaning.
• Heat exchanger materials for high-temperature applications.

12. Smart materials for controlled drug delivery:

• Stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems.
• Design and fabrication of smart drug carriers.
• Controlled release of pharmaceuticals.

13. Microreactors for chemical synthesis

• Miniaturization of chemical processes.
• Continuous flow reactions in microreactors.
• Scaling up microreactor technology.

14. Electrochemical energy storage systems

• Lithium-ion batteries and beyond.
• Fuel cells for portable power.
• Redox flow batteries for grid storage.

15. Sustainable packaging materials:

• Biodegradable and compostable packaging.
• Eco-friendly packaging designs.
• Recycling and reusing packaging materials.

16. Chemical kinetics modeling and simulation:

• Reaction rate equations and mechanisms.
• Numerical methods for kinetic modeling.
• Kinetics in combustion and catalysis.

17. Renewable feedstocks for chemical production:

• Biomass as a source of renewable chemicals.
• Feedstock selection and availability.
• Conversion technologies for renewable feedstocks.

18. Process safety and risk assessment in chemical plants:

• Hazard analysis and safety protocols.
• Safety instrumentation and systems.
• Risk assessment in chemical processes.

19. Advances in membrane technology for separations:

• Membrane materials and structures.
• Membrane processes in water purification.
• Gas separation membranes.

20. Sustainable water treatment processes

• Innovative water treatment technologies.
• Water purification in remote areas.
• Wastewater treatment and recycling.

21. Application of artificial intelligence in chemical engineering:

• AI in process optimization and control.
• Machine learning for predictive maintenance.
• AI-driven materials discovery.

22. Green chemistry principles in pharmaceuticals:

• Sustainable synthesis of pharmaceuticals.
• Green solvents and reagents in drug development.
• Eco-friendly pharmaceutical formulations.

23. Ionic liquids in chemical processes:

• Applications of ionic liquids as solvents.
• Separation processes using ionic liquids.
• Design and synthesis of new ionic liquids.

24. Process optimization using data analytics:

• Big data analytics in chemical plants.
• Predictive analytics for process improvement.
• Data-driven decision-making in chemical engineering.

25. Microbial fuel cells for energy generation:

• Microbial electrochemical systems.
• Microbial communities in fuel cells.
• Practical applications of microbial fuel cells.

26. Advanced control strategies in chemical reactors:

• Model predictive control in reactors.
• Adaptive and robust control approaches.
• Real-time optimization of chemical reactors.

27. Novel reactor designs for cleaner production:

• Tubular reactors for continuous processing.
• High-pressure and high-temperature reactors.
• Reactor designs for multiphase reactions.

28. Biomass conversion to chemicals and fuels:

• Conversion pathways for biomass.
• Biorefineries for sustainable chemical production.
• Valorization of lignocellulosic biomass.

29. Advances in polymer processing techniques:

• Extrusion and injection molding innovations.
• 3D printing of polymer materials.
• Sustainable polymer processing.

30. Sustainable manufacturing of specialty chemicals:

• Green synthesis of specialty chemicals.
• Specialty chemical formulations for niche markets.
• Environmental considerations in specialty chemical production.

31. Fluidized bed reactors for catalysis:

• Catalytic reactions in fluidized beds.
• Fluid dynamics and heat transfer in fluidized beds.
• Scale-up of fluidized bed reactors.

32. Clean energy from hydrogen production:

• Hydrogen generation from renewable sources.
• Hydrogen storage and transportation.
• Fuel cells and hydrogen as an energy carrier.

33. Electrospinning for nanofiber production:

• Nanofiber materials for various applications.
• Electrospinning techniques and equipment.
• Nanofiber composite materials.

34. Adsorption processes for environmental remediation:

• Adsorbent materials for pollutant removal.
• Adsorption processes for water treatment.
• Regeneration of adsorbents.

35. Novel sensors for process monitoring:

• Advanced sensors for chemical analysis.
• In-situ and online monitoring technologies.
• Sensor networks in chemical plants.

36. 3D printing in chemical engineering applications:

• Additive manufacturing of chemical equipment.
• Customized 3D-printed reactor components.
• Materials and techniques for chemical 3D printing.

37. Waste minimization in chemical industries:

• Lean manufacturing and process optimization.
• Circular economy principles in waste reduction.
• Waste-to-resource strategies in chemical plants.

38. Sustainable agriculture through agrochemicals:

• Eco-friendly pesticides and herbicides.
• Precision agriculture and chemical inputs.
• Biopesticides and organic farming.

39. Supercritical fluid extraction techniques:

• Supercritical CO2 extraction in food industry.
• Supercritical fluid extraction of natural products.
• Supercritical fluid technology for clean extraction.

40. Industrial biotechnology for chemical production:

• Microbial fermentation for chemicals.
• Metabolic engineering of industrial strains.
• Bioprocess optimization for chemical production.

41. Green engineering principles in process design:

• Design for sustainability in chemical processes.
• Process integration for resource efficiency.
• Green metrics and assessment tools.

42. Corrosion protection in chemical plants:

• Corrosion-resistant materials and coatings.
• Cathodic and anodic protection techniques.
• Monitoring and maintenance of corrosion prevention systems.

43. Crystallization processes for product purification:

• Crystal engineering for product quality.
• Anti-solvent crystallization and precipitation.
• Crystallization process optimization.

44. Advances in chemical plant automation:

• Industrial automation using PLC and SCADA.
• IoT and Industry 4.0 in chemical manufacturing.
• Automation for improved safety and efficiency.

45. Biomimicry in materials science:

• Materials inspired by nature.
• Bio-inspired materials for medical applications.
• Biomimetic materials in aerospace and engineering.

46. Chemical recycling of plastics:

• Technologies for plastic recycling.
• Chemical depolymerization of plastics.
• Closed-loop recycling systems.

47. Sustainable surfactants and detergents:

• Environmentally friendly surfactant formulations.
• Surfactants in household and industrial cleaning.
• Biodegradable detergent ingredients.

48. Biocatalysis for pharmaceutical synthesis:

• Enzymatic reactions in drug manufacturing.
• Immobilized enzymes in pharmaceuticals.
• Biocatalyst engineering for drug synthesis.

49. Sustainable textile dyeing processes:

• Eco-friendly dyeing methods.
• Natural and low-impact dyes in the textile industry.
• Waterless and digital textile printing.

50. Thermodynamics of novel materials:

• Thermodynamic properties of advanced materials.
• Phase equilibria in novel materials.
• Thermodynamics of nanomaterials.

51. Renewable energy integration in chemical plants:

• Solar and wind energy in chemical manufacturing.
• Energy storage solutions for renewables.
• Grid integration and power management in chemical facilities.

52. Nanocatalysts for cleaner hydrogen production:

• Nanomaterials for hydrogen generation.
• Hydrogen purification using nanocatalysts.
• Catalytic water splitting for hydrogen production.

53. Pervaporation for liquid separation:

• Pervaporation membranes and materials.
• Separation of azeotropic mixtures by pervaporation.
• Applications of pervaporation in chemical processes.

54. Process safety culture in chemical industries:

• Building a culture of safety in chemical plants.
• Safety training and awareness programs.
• Safety leadership and organizational behavior.

55. Waste heat recovery in chemical processes:

• Heat exchangers and heat recovery systems.
• Combined heat and power (CHP) in chemical plants.
• Waste heat utilization for process heating.

56. Biodegradable packaging materials:

• Biodegradable films and containers.
• Bioplastics for packaging applications.
• Degradation and compostability of packaging materials.

57. Electrochemical wastewater treatment:

• Electrochemical oxidation and reduction processes.
• Electrochemical reactors for wastewater treatment.
• Removal of heavy metals and organic pollutants.

58. Process safety education and training:

• Chemical engineering safety curriculum.
• Hazard identification and risk assessment training.
• Case studies and incident analysis in safety education.

59. Sustainable agrochemical formulations:

• Eco-friendly pesticides and herbicides.
• Formulation technologies for controlled release.
• Biodegradable and low-residue agrochemicals.

60. Sustainable rubber and elastomers:

• Green rubber production from natural sources.
• Renewable rubber materials for tires.
• Recycling and reusing rubber products.

61. Electrochemical energy conversion:

• Electrocatalysts for energy conversion.
• Electrochemical fuel cells and batteries.
• Electrosynthesis of valuable chemicals.

62. Sustainable detergents and cleaning products:

• Environmentally responsible cleaning formulations.
• Biodegradable surfactants in detergents.
• Sustainable packaging for cleaning products.

63. Food packaging materials with extended shelf life:

• Active and intelligent packaging technologies.
• Barrier properties of food packaging materials.
• Packaging innovations for reducing food waste.

64. Green synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates:

• Sustainable routes to key pharmaceutical building blocks.
• Green solvents in pharmaceutical synthesis.
• Catalytic processes for pharmaceutical intermediates.

65. Polymer-based drug delivery systems:

• Controlled-release drug delivery using polymers.
• Polymeric nanoparticles for drug encapsulation.
• Implantable and injectable polymer drug delivery systems.

66. Carbon-neutral chemical processes:

• Carbon capture and utilization in chemical manufacturing.
• Renewable feedstocks for carbon-neutral production.
• Energy-efficient and low-emission chemical processes.

67. Chemical sensors for environmental monitoring:

• Environmental sensor networks for air and water quality.
• Miniaturized sensors for on-site pollution monitoring.
• Real-time data collection and analysis for environmental protection.

68. Sustainable nanomaterials for electronics:

• Eco-friendly nanoelectronics materials.
• Nanomaterials for energy-efficient devices.
• Recycling and life cycle assessment of nanoelectronics.

69. Sustainable automotive lubricants:

• Environmentally friendly lubricant formulations.
• Synthetic and bio-based lubricants.
• Lubricant additives for improved fuel efficiency.

70. Chemical engineering in space exploration:

• Chemical processes in closed-loop life support systems.
• Sustainable resource utilization on other planets.
• Chemical engineering challenges in lunar and Mars missions.

71. Green chemistry in education and research:

• Integration of green chemistry principles in curricula.
• Green chemistry research ethics and practices.
• Sustainable laboratory protocols and techniques.

72. Bio-based feedstocks for chemicals:

• Plant-based feedstocks for chemical production.
• Algae and other microorganisms as feedstock sources.
• Bio-based chemicals in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries.

73. Sustainable adhesives for the construction industry:

• Eco-friendly adhesive technologies.
• Adhesive formulations for construction materials.
• Adhesive recycling and disposal.

74. Sustainable nanocoatings for corrosion protection:

• Nanocoating materials for extended corrosion resistance.
• Nanocoatings for aerospace and marine applications.
• Self-healing nanocoatings.

75. Chemical recycling of electronic waste:

• Recovery of valuable metals and materials from e-waste.
• Chemical processes for e-waste recycling.
• Environmental and economic benefits of e-waste recycling.

76. Microfluidic devices for medical diagnostics:

• Lab-on-a-chip platforms for point-of-care testing.
• Microfluidic diagnostic devices for disease detection.
• Integration of microfluidics with biosensors.

77. Renewable energy integration in chemical plants:

• Wind and solar power in chemical manufacturing.
• Energy storage solutions for intermittent renewables.
• Grid interaction and power management in chemical facilities.

78. Sustainable textile finishing processes:

• Eco-friendly textile dyeing and finishing.
• Non-toxic and waterless textile treatments.
• Dye-sublimation and digital printing in textiles.

79. Eco-friendly pesticides and herbicides:

• Biopesticides for pest control.
• Sustainable herbicide formulations.
• Integrated pest management in agriculture.

80. Sustainable paints and coatings for buildings:

• Low-VOC and non-toxic paint formulations.
• Sustainable coating materials for architectural use.
• Coating technologies for energy-efficient buildings.

81. Electrochemical wastewater treatment:

• Advanced electrochemical oxidation processes.
• Electro-Fenton and photoelectrochemical wastewater treatment.
• Integration of renewable energy in electrochemical treatment.

82. Sustainable agriculture through agrochemicals:

• Biofertilizers and their role in sustainable agriculture.
• Eco-friendly soil conditioners for improved crop yield.
• Precision agriculture using agrochemicals.

83. Food packaging materials with extended shelf life:

• Edible packaging materials for perishable foods.
• Modified atmosphere packaging for extended shelf life.
• Nanotechnology-based packaging to prevent food spoilage.

84. Green synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates:

• Biocatalysis in the synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates.
• Green chemistry approaches in reducing waste in synthesis.
• Sustainable sourcing of raw materials for pharmaceuticals.

85. Polymer-based drug delivery systems:

• Polymer nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery.
• Controlled drug release using biodegradable polymers.
• Implantable polymer devices for long-term drug delivery.

86. Carbon-neutral chemical processes:

• Carbon capture and utilization in chemical plants.
• Carbon-neutral chemical reactions using renewable feedstocks.
• Electrification of chemical processes for reduced carbon emissions.

87. Chemical sensors for environmental monitoring:

• Wireless sensor networks for real-time environmental monitoring.
• Nano-based sensors for detecting pollutants and contaminants.
• Advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence for sensor data.

88. Sustainable nanomaterials for electronics:

• Nanomaterials for energy-efficient electronic devices.
• Eco-friendly nanomaterials for printed electronics.
• Sustainable nanocomposites for electronic applications.

89. Sustainable automotive lubricants:

• Lubricant additives for reducing friction and wear.
• Bio-based lubricants for eco-friendly automotive applications.
• Sustainable lubricant disposal and recycling.

90. Chemical engineering in space exploration:

• Closed-loop life support systems for long-duration space missions.
• Sustainable resource utilization on other celestial bodies (e.g., Mars).
• Challenges of chemical engineering in resource-limited space environments.

91. Green chemistry in education and research:

• Integration of green chemistry principles into K-12 education.
• Sustainable laboratory practices and green chemistry experiments.
• Green chemistry research ethics and collaboration.

92. Bio-based feedstocks for chemicals:

• Conversion of agricultural waste into bio-based feedstocks.
• Microbial fermentation for producing bio-based chemicals.
• Sustainability and scalability of bio-based feedstock production.

93. Sustainable adhesives for the construction industry:

• Eco-friendly adhesives for construction materials like wood and concrete.
• Biodegradable adhesives for temporary structures.
• Sustainable adhesive bonding in prefabricated construction.

94. Sustainable nanocoatings for corrosion protection:

• Nanocoatings with self-healing properties.
• Sustainable corrosion protection in marine and offshore environments.
• Application of nanocoatings in aerospace and automotive industries.

95. Chemical recycling of electronic waste:

• Recovery of rare earth metals from electronic waste.
• Chemical processes for recycling printed circuit boards.
• Sustainable approaches to e-waste management.

96. Microfluidic devices for medical diagnostics:

• Microfluidic lab-on-a-chip devices for rapid disease diagnosis.
• Integration of microfluidics with diagnostic assays.
• Point-of-care testing using microfluidic technology.

97. Renewable energy integration in chemical plants:

• Green hydrogen production using renewable energy.
• Energy storage solutions for renewable energy surplus.
• Smart grids and microgrids in chemical manufacturing.

98. Sustainable textile finishing processes:

• Sustainable dyeing techniques for textiles.
• Environmentally responsible textile printing methods.
• Eco-friendly finishes for functional textiles.

99. Eco-friendly pesticides and herbicides:

• Biopesticide formulation and application methods.
• Sustainable weed control using eco-friendly herbicides.
• Integrated pest management for sustainable agriculture.

100. Sustainable paints and coatings for buildings:

• Green building materials and coatings for energy efficiency.
• Eco-friendly exterior and interior paint formulations.
• Innovative coatings for reducing heat absorption and urban heat island effect.

100 Research/Project Ideas in the Field of Chemical Engineering

1. Sustainable approaches to chemical process design.
2. Green solvents for industrial applications.
3. Catalyst development for renewable energy production.
4. Nanomaterials for improved catalytic reactions.
5. Advanced separation techniques in chemical engineering.
6. Bioprocess engineering for biofuel production.
7. Process intensification in chemical manufacturing.
8. Waste-to-energy technologies in chemical industries.
9. Development of biodegradable polymers.
10. Carbon capture and utilization in chemical processes.
11. Optimization of heat exchangers for energy efficiency.
12. Smart materials for controlled drug delivery.
13. Microreactors for chemical synthesis.
14. Electrochemical energy storage systems.
15. Sustainable packaging materials.
16. Chemical kinetics modeling and simulation.
17. Renewable feedstocks for chemical production.
18. Process safety and risk assessment in chemical plants.
19. Advances in membrane technology for separations.
20. Sustainable water treatment processes.
21. Application of artificial intelligence in chemical engineering.
22. Green chemistry principles in pharmaceuticals.
23. Ionic liquids in chemical processes.
24. Process optimization using data analytics.
25. Microbial fuel cells for energy generation.
26. Advanced control strategies in chemical reactors.
27. Novel reactor designs for cleaner production.
28. Biomass conversion to chemicals and fuels.
29. Advances in polymer processing techniques.
30. Sustainable manufacturing of specialty chemicals.
31. Fluidized bed reactors for catalysis.
32. Clean energy from hydrogen production.
33. Electrospinning for nanofiber production.
34. Adsorption processes for environmental remediation.
35. Novel sensors for process monitoring.
36. 3D printing in chemical engineering applications.
37. Waste minimization in chemical industries.
38. Sustainable agriculture through agrochemicals.
39. Supercritical fluid extraction techniques.
40. Industrial biotechnology for chemical production.
41. Green engineering principles in process design.
42. Corrosion protection in chemical plants.
43. Crystallization processes for product purification.
44. Advances in chemical plant automation.
45. Biomimicry in materials science.
46. Chemical recycling of plastics.
47. Sustainable surfactants and detergents.
48. Biocatalysis for pharmaceutical synthesis.
49. Sustainable textile dyeing processes.
50. Thermodynamics of novel materials.
51. Renewable energy integration in chemical plants.
52. Nanocatalysts for cleaner hydrogen production.
53. Pervaporation for liquid separation.
54. Process safety culture in chemical industries.
55. Waste heat recovery in chemical processes.
56. Biodegradable packaging materials.
57. Electrochemical sensors for environmental monitoring.
58. Sustainable construction materials.
59. Supramolecular chemistry in drug design.
60. Advances in polymer nanocomposites.
61. Microfluidics for lab-on-a-chip applications.
62. Sustainable lubricants and additives.
63. Water purification using advanced oxidation processes.
64. Flow chemistry for continuous production.
65. Environmental impact assessment in chemical processes.
66. Pharmaceutical process development.
67. Sustainable food processing technologies.
68. Chemical analysis of emerging contaminants.
69. Green synthesis of nanoparticles.
70. Reaction engineering in microreactors.
71. Biodegradable hydraulic fluids.
72. Sustainable cosmetics and personal care products.
73. Carbon nanotubes in materials science.
74. Industrial waste recycling technologies.
75. Sustainable adhesives and coatings.
76. Microbial bioplastics production.
77. Electrochemical wastewater treatment.
78. Process safety education and training.
79. Sustainable agrochemical formulations.
80. Sustainable rubber and elastomers.
81. Electrochemical energy conversion.
82. Sustainable detergents and cleaning products.
83. Food packaging materials with extended shelf life.
84. Green synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates.
85. Polymer-based drug delivery systems.
86. Carbon-neutral chemical processes.
87. Chemical sensors for environmental monitoring.
88. Sustainable nanomaterials for electronics.
89. Sustainable automotive lubricants.
90. Chemical engineering in space exploration.
91. Green chemistry in education and research.
92. Bio-based feedstocks for chemicals.
93. Sustainable adhesives for the construction industry.
94. Sustainable nanocoatings for corrosion protection.
95. Chemical recycling of electronic waste.
96. Microfluidic devices for medical diagnostics.
97. Renewable energy integration in chemical plants.
98. Sustainable textile finishing processes.
99. Eco-friendly pesticides and herbicides.
100. Sustainable paints and coatings for buildings.

Hope, this article will help you know about the emerging research ideas in chemical engineering research.