Course Contents and Aims

Green Chemistry (known also as Chemistry for Sustainability), and Green Engineering are a set of knowledge useful in designing the construction of materials, products and plants in a manner that has minimal impact on human health and the environment. The course aims to introduce the principles of Green Chemistry and Green Engineering to provide the tools necessary to evaluate different synthetic procedures and BAT technologies. Examples from industry, including reaction conditions, alternative solvents, feedstock and intermediates selection, optimization of performance materials, will be discussed as well as emerging trends in bio-processes and catalysis. Green and Sustainable Chemistry is an interdisciplinary topic, which requires sound bases in organic chemistry coupled with awareness of many emerging interfaces with chemistry, engineering and other disciplines.

Objectives

We hope that after completion of this course you will be able to:

  • Recognize and discuss the major issues related to sustainability in chemical and environmental industry and product/process design.
  • Understand the basics of green chemistry / green engineering and recognize green chemical processes and products
  • Identify the role of green metrics and life cycle analysis in the evaluation of alternative products, processes and activities (in particular identify reagents, reactions and technologies that should be and realistically could be replaced by green alternatives).
  • Understand fundamental considerations on alternative energy sources
  • Explain the impact of chemicals on human health and safety (through the history of pollutants and chemical accidents) and appreciate the efforts to solve relevant problems.
  • Appreciate the relevance for engineers of life sciences and issues in use of biomass as source of chemicals.
  • Understand the recent trends in industry issues related to sustainability and safety with emphasis on national and international regulations.
  • Articulate the need for an ethical paradigm in a world where powerful technologies, including chemical technologies, can have dangerous, long term effects, as well as positive and uplifting ones.