I want to thank you for the honor and trust you accorded me with election. In my cam- Jumping into the New Year: paign statement of 2004, I noted the premier status of our Institute, but also identified Three Initiatives for Growth several serious and interrelated issues fac- ing AIChE: declining membership, brief res- John Chen Takes the Helm of the 2006 AIChE Presidency idence time for entering members, reduced participation by industrial members, and the changing environment of the profession. Challenges was formed in I believe the continuing decline in mem- Society and the World the summer of 2005 to rec- bership is our most pressing issue, one that Congress of Chemical ommend programs and ac- in fact is a measure of how well we deal Engineering, we should tivities that would enable with all the other issues. I propose a three- look for new opportunities AIChE and its members to prong strategy to address this issue. to promote international exert the greatest beneficial • Improve relevance of AIChE's portfolio exchanges, grow AIChE impact on this field. of programs membership world wide, Many AIChE members • Enlarge the playing field — take and recruit international have experience, knowl- AIChE global companies for our Indus- edge, or even just ideas in • Develop a theme to energize the profession trial Technology Alliances, the energy area. To obtain Relevancy Initiative. Relevance is in as well as many yet un- the benefit of this body of the eyes of the beholder, and I believe that considered possibilities. intellect, an open Forum on different segments of our membership de- Toward this end, AIChE has held meet- Energy was held at the 2005 AIChE Annual sire programs of different character. We ings and discussions with the British Meeting. It was a thought-provoking event should examine AIChE's portfolio in the Institute of Chemical Engineering (IChemE), and I hope many of you had the chance to context of individual members' interface Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering participate (Comments can also be sent to with core chemical engineering technology, (CSCHE), Chinese Industry and Engineer- [email protected]). We anticipate the i.e. for developers of technology (re- ing Society of China (CIESC), Chinese Commission's report and recommendations searchers), users of technology (application Academy of Sciences, and some of the ma- by the 2006 Spring National Meeting. practitioners), trackers of technology (man- jor chemical/petroleum firms in China. Our Even as we await the results of the agers and strategists), or participants in the objective is to aid our members in becom- Commissions deliberations, AIChE has be- profession (retirees, students, teachers). ing more effective professionals globally, gun to raise its level of activities on energy. We have completed a first-ever Institute- and to support our industrial stakeholders In 2005, AIChE officers met with US wide audit of all 89 AIChE programs, mea- in their global enterprises. The issues are Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman and suring each for relevance to the different complex, and the right path for our Institute AIChE held an inaugural conference on segments of our membership. The Board must be diligently sought. LNG with CSCHE. Next year, a Critical devoted a strategic planning session to as- Energy Initiative. Our profession, es- Issue Forum on Energy, organized by our sess this portfolio and select opportunities pecially for the younger and entering mem- Government Relations Committee, will be for enhancement. bers, would be strengthened if we lay claim held at the '06 Spring National Meeting, One example of an immediate opportuni- to an initiative that truly exemplifies the and plans for increased technical sessions ty is the Speaker's Bureau. Member feedback triple mission of AIChE to promote the pro- on energy are in the works for future confer- indicates that this program has been truly fessional well-being of chemical engineers, ences. My hope is that AIChE will be a sig- missed. We have already taken steps to rein- the advancement of the profession itself, nificant participant and contributor in the stitute a “Speaker's College” as a resource and the service of the profession to society. milieu of energy challenges. for local sections and student chapters. Arguably, there is no other socio-techno AIChE is a volunteer driven organization Globalization Initiative. The clear challenge that will impact the chemical en- and we members are the real resource of shift toward international capitalization of terprise, the professional opportunities for the Institute. To a very large extent, the new chemical, petroleum and energy plants our members, the well-being of nations and three initiatives I lay in front of you will suc- argues that chemical engineers in all tech- humanity, and for which chemical engi- ceed only to the level that our combined nology segments need to function produc- neers are so well suited to provide essential volunteer efforts will push them. I trust you tively regardless of national boundaries. contributions, as the challenge of energy have confidence in the potential benefit that AIChE must develop activities, programs, supply, production, utilization and conser- my three initiatives could bring to our and affiliations on the international front that vation. Our profession and our Institute members, our profession, and our Institute, enlarge the professional field for our mem- must be proactive and seek to be positive and that we can join together to use them in bers and extend the influence of our Institute contributors to the necessary solutions. leveraging AIChE to a bright future. globally. In addition to our existing interna- We have started with several specific Thank you and I look forward to our tional affiliations of the North American steps. AIChE's Commission on Energy continued work together.

CEP January 2006 www.cepmagazine.org 59 Institute News Engineers Week 06: Engineered to Impress Your participation in National weeks: how things work; measur- this online forum will run for 24 hours Engineers Week, or “E-Week” ing up; making predictions; from March 23 at 12 noon EST through February 19–25, is an impor- and puzzling patterns. CY- March 24 at 12 noon on www.eweek.org. tant way to increase local BERCHASE TV episodes are Dozens of presentations and Q&A ses- awareness and interest in linked to games and activi- sions will address issues among pre-col- the fields of engineering, ties for kids, parents and lege, college and young career women, math, science and technol- teachers that explore how and examine issues such as retaining ogy and demonstrate how math can be used to unlock women in college engineering programs engineers are essential to our science ideas. Learn more at and the workplace. quality of life. AIChE local sec- www.aiche.org/About/Press/ For more information about 2006 E- tions and individuals make this Articles/index.aspx Week events and activities, as well as in- week a success. Every year, Introduce A Girl To depth examples of successful local more sponsored activities are Engineering Day. programs from 2005, visit www.eweek.org. added to the celebration, and With recent focus on the im- One of the highlights from 2005 was this year is no exception. portance of encouraging girls “Connecting the World to Engineering Highlights for the 2006 E-Week include: and women to pursue engineering, this Teleconference” in which James B. Porter, Engineering: Improving Our event takes on a new urgency. Held Jr., former AIChE Board member and Vice World. The National Academy of February 23, 2006, “Girl Day” reaches out President of DuPont Engineering and Engineering’s essay contest invites students to 1,000,000 young women and girls Operations Chief Engineering, gave a pre- in grades 4–9 to write about their own ideas worldwide to encourage them to consider sentation on “Tips for Successful about changing the world. The deadline is a career in engineering. To learn how Transition to the Working World.” To view January 20, 2006. For details, see companies and universities are getting in- a video of the presentation, go to www.eweek.org/site/Teachers/2006_NAE_ volved and to sign up, see www.eweek.org/site/News/Eweek/2005_Te contest.pdf www.eweek.org/site/News/Eweek/2006_n lcconference.shtml. Super CYBERCHASE Science. ationalpledgeroster.shtml If you already have events planned for Held January 30 to February 24, this Global Marathon For, By and E-Week, please share them with your TV/Web event on PBS Kids Go! taps into About Women in Engineering. AIChE colleagues by contacting Felicia kids’ curiosity about the world around them. Focusing on the issues of retaining and Guglielmi at [email protected] or call The month-long event features four theme encouraging women in engineering fields, (212) 591-7329. NSF Seeks New AIChE Publications Assistant Director Fundamentals of Industrial Catalytic Processes for Engineering C. H. Bartholomew and R. J. Farrauto The National Science Foundation seeks your assistance in the identification of candi- dates for Assistant Director for Engineering This textbook/handbook on catalytic processes is a com- (ENG). The Assistant Director, ENG, manages a prehensive source of catalyst science and technology, Directorate comprised of six divisions: which bridges the gap between the fundamentals of cataly- Bioengineering and Environmental Systems; sis with its practice. Includes expanded coverage of fuel Chemical and Transport Systems; Civil and cell, nanophase materials, hydrogen generation and envi- Mechanical Systems; Design and ronmental catalysis, computational chemistry, and combi- Manufacturing Innovation; Electrical and natorial methods. Order at www.wiley.com Communications Systems; Engineering Education and Centers; and the Office of Industrial Innovation. The Screening Committee will look for can- Continuous Direct-Heat Rotary Dryers: A Guide to Performance Evaluation didates with the following qualifications: out- AIChE’s Equipment Testing Procedures Committee standing leadership; a deep sense of scholarship; a grasp of the issues facing the engineering community in the areas of educa- This procedural guide provides technical information tion and research; proficiency in the adminis- about a detailed acceptance test on new equipment, how tration of large-scale facilities and centers; and to calculate its optimum use, and the method of collecting the ability to serve effectively as a key member accurate data for maintenance o troubleshooting. It offers of the NSF management team. Information on standardized methods, real-world numbers for computer qualifications and detailed job description can simulations and designs, and various equipment testing be found at www.aiche.org/About/Press/ practices. Order at www.wiley.com. Articles/index.aspx. Recommendations should be sent by January 31, 2006.

60 www.cepmagazine.org January 2006 CEP Institute News 40,000 Members, 1 Dynamic Portal: AIChE Relaunches www.aiche.org Next time you’re on the Web, take a The site runs on power- look at the AIChE Web site — ful new servers, allow- www.aiche.org — and you may be sur- ing for faster page prised at what you find. Reengineered loads and information with constant member input, AIChE’s retrieval, as well as im- new Web site offers bundles of new fea- peccable security. tures. A successful project, “The goal was to create a powerful, the Web site was com- easy-to-use Web site that gives members pleted on time and un- the technical and professional informa- der budget. In the next tion they want while making everyday two phases of develop- transactions like registering for a confer- ment, to be implement- ence fast and easy,” said Past President ed over the next two Jeff Siirola. years, members will be The site features simpler, three-click able to create an indi- navigation and a vastly improved search vidual profile request- function. Members can log in for mem- ing information of bers-only content-like CEP articles, doc- interest to them, includ- uments, and directories and even update ing technical interest, their own contact information. There are AIChE community, or also new sites for the Center for job field —industry, Redesigning the site was a communi- Safety (CCPS), academe, student. Local Sections and ty effort. More than 75 AIChE members Institute for Sustainability (IfS) and Divisions/Forums will have access to the worked on a cross-functional steering Society for Biological Engineering (SBE). same functionality. committee for 12 months to redesign the site. Armed with membership surveys, Top New Features they made sure member input was trans- lated to action. The Foundation launched the Campaign for Web Excellence, rais- Easy to use navigation Member-focused and ing $150,000 in member donations to- • Organized directories members-only content ward the goal of $300,000. • Content you need less than 3-clicks away • Easy access to members-only prod- “This was a remarkable group effort,” ucts, services, and conferences said Siirola. “Our members donated over Intuitive search engine • Log in for articles, documents, and half of the cost through the AIChE • Powerful directories Foundation's Campaign for Web • Searches related PDFs and documents • Personalized “My AIChE” and online Excellence. Thanks to our members' gen- in other file formats communities planned for Phase II and III erosity, we can start to look at next steps • Find it Fast locates frequently-used of future Web development for this Web site.” information in one step Modern design with More robust Web experience universal appeal • Faster page loads • Clear and consistent look and feel • Faster information retrieval • Impeccable security New Web sites for: THANKS FOR • Server redundancy, to prevent any Center for Chemical Process Safety, YOUR CONTRIBUTION lapse in service Institute for Sustainability, • Upgrade to .NET, state-of-the-art Society for Biological Engineering The new Web site was possible system software • Unique look thanks to generous donations from • Distinct navigation members. All donors are recognized Superior member directory for their dedication on a Builders’ • Update your contact information Inviting new members Wall, found on the new site at • Lookup other members by Name, • “About AIChE” section illustrates the www.aiche.org/Webfund. Company, Location, Local Section or benefits of membership The Foundation is still soliciting Division/Forum, Student Chapter, • Individuals can join easily online donations for the continued develop- Industry, and Keywords • The value of AIChE membership is ment of the site. Donations can be promoted throughout the site, with in- made at this Web page. CEP access formation on conferences, publications, • All members can now access CEP online. programs, and services

CEP January 2006 www.cepmagazine.org 61 Member News

Rutherford Aris Remembering September 15, 1929 – November 2, 2005 John Griffith Rutherford Aris, Regents and controlling chemical manu- John Griffith passed away Professor Emeritus of Chemical facturing processes and teaching November 5, 2005 from a stroke. Engineering and Classics at the these new methods to engineer- Griffith was a founding member and University of , died on ing students and industrial practi- enthusiastic supporter of the November 2, 2005 after a long tioners. His work on chemical International Pump Users Symposium. and distinguished career. Born in kinetics and de- He was an innovator in mechanical Bournemouth, , in 1929, sign provided a deeper under- seal designs and applications and an Aris completed a first class hon- standing of observed phenomena all around great rotating-equipment ors degree in mathematics at the and allowed much improved de- engineer. His beaming smile and vigor at the age sign of chemical processes. for life will be greatly missed by his of 16, but the university did not Aris had a wonderful sense of friends and colleagues. think it proper to award a degree to some- humor and enjoyed pranks. Sometime after Born May 8, 1929, Griffith served one so young, requiring him to wait until he was listed in Who’s Who, the publisher in the U.S. Navy, Aircraft Carrier, dur- he was 19 to receive the degree. began sending him a second questionnaire ing the Korean War. He received his After working in industry at ICI Ltd. and to complete under the name Aris B.S. in chemical engineering from taking academic positions at the University Rutherford. Even after repeated letters to Kansas State University in 1955. He of and the University of the publisher stating that there was no worked with Conoco for over 30 years Minnesota, Aris received Ph.D. and D.Sc. such person, the questionnaires kept com- (8 yrs in corrosion and metallurgy, 10 degrees from the University of London. He ing. So Aris completed the questionnaire yrs in plant maintenance, 13+ yrs in first joined the as for this fictitious person in his wonderful the Rotating Equipment Section with 4 a research fellow in 1955 and became a re- style. Aris Macpherson Rutherford was years as the chief engineer) and gents professor in 1978. listed as a colorful professor of distillation Champion Group, Inc., where he spent Among Aris’ most important technical who had trained at the Strath Spey and 18 years as chief design engineer, and contributions are his detailed explanation Glenlivet Institute of Distillation. also handled technical training. for sudden temperature runaways and os- Aris is survived by his wife of 47 years, cillating behavior of processes involving Claire Holman Aris, brother John (Ursula), chemical reactions. His work in this area sisters Margaret Boyt (Dennis) and led to better design and control of poten- Dorothy Slater (Thomas), brother-in-law tially explosive chemical processes and Charles Holman (Gloria), special niece safer industrial operations. At the same Trea Cannoy and grand nephews Jacob Are you in the news? time, he led the way in developing new and Brendon, as well as several other mathematical techniques for optimizing nieces and nephews. Tell Extra about your recent award or latest research. Or share information on 2006 AIChE Conference Calendar innovative new programs you think For information and to register visit www.aiche.org/conferences or members would like to hear about. call Customer Service at 1-800-242-4363 or 1-212-591-8100 (outside the U.S.) Email us at [email protected]. 2006 Spring National Meeting and 2nd Global Congress on Process Safety • 40th Annual Loss Prevention Symposium • 21st Annual CCPS International Conference OBITUARIES • 8th Process Plant Safety Symposium Plus, the World Congress on Particle Technology Arthur J. Archung, 82, Chattanooga, TN April 23–27, 2006 • Disney’s Dolphin Hotel • Orlando, FL Charles Cuthbert, 88, Petersburg, VA Offshore Technology Conference — OTC.06 John T. Hoffman, 43, Huntington, MD May 1–4, 2006 • Reliant Center • Houston, TX Yorke P. Phillips, 73, Hampden, MA Process Development Symposium Harry W. Reamer, 72, Satsuma, AL Learn from the Past, Plan for the Future Richard D. Ross, 77, Morristown, NJ June 11–14, 2006 • Doral Desert Princess Resort • Palm Springs, CA Sidney Sanders, 70, Circleville, OH Safety in Ammonia Plants and C. William Shipman. 81, Prospect Harbor, ME Related Facilities Symposium Avtar S. Sokhey, 53, Lewisburg, OH September 10–14, 2006 • Hyatt Regency • Vancouver, Canada 2006 Annual Meeting Robert J. Thompson, 88, Silver Spring, MD

November 12–17, 2006 • San Francisco Hilton • San Francisco, CA * Fellow member

62 www.cepmagazine.org January 2006 CEP