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The chemical industry is vital to modern life, producing everything from plastics to medicines, but it is also a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Decarbonizing this industry is critical for combating climate change and ensuring a sustainable future. Achieving this goal requires transitioning to cleaner energy sources, adopting innovative technologies, and embracing circular economy principles. No one knows this better than Purdue University. Ranked among the world’s top 100 universities (QS World University Rankings 2024), Purdue University is home to the Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, a leader in sustainability-focused research. The school’s commitment to decarbonization is evident in its various initiatives like the Center of Innovative and Strategic Alkane Resources (CISTAR), the Center for Operations and Optimization in Process Systems (COOPS) and the Leading Energy-Transition Advances & Pathways to Sustainability (LEAPS) initiative–all spearheaded by the school’s faculty.
By embedding sustainability into its curriculum and research priorities, the Davidson School of Chemical Engineering empowers students and researchers to pioneer low-carbon solutions. Key areas of focus include predictive maintenance, smart manufacturing, and AI-driven optimization, equipping students with the tools to drive innovation.One example is the work led by Assistant Professor Can Li, who has developed advanced energy systems optimization frameworks. These frameworks integrate renewable energy into chemical manufacturing processes, reducing energy use and emissions while maintaining production efficiency.
COOPS focuses on energy optimization, life cycle analysis, and sustainable process design to reduce environmental impact and improve industrial efficiency. Source: Purdue University
Driving decarbonization through research
COOPS plays a pivotal role in Purdue’s sustainability efforts. Through interdisciplinary research and collaboration, it addresses complex challenges in process systems engineering, enabling industries to optimize resource efficiency and reduce carbon footprints.
At COOPS, researchers drive decarbonization in the chemical industry through groundbreaking initiatives. A key focus is optimizing energy systems. Faculty members like Professors Can Li, Rakesh Agrawal and Jeffrey J. Siirola are pioneering methods to enhance energy efficiency, electrify industrial processes, reduce emissions, and integrate renewable energy. These efforts lower the carbon footprint of chemical manufacturing while promoting sustainable energy practices across the industry.
Life cycle analysis (LCA) and sustainability studies form another cornerstone of COOPS’ research. By evaluating the environmental impact of chemical processes from start to finish, these projects guide sustainable design and operational decisions. For example, Professors Shweta Singh, Rex Reklaitis, and Zoltan Nagy, are advancing LCA and optimization projects, particularly in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Their recent findings pinpoint critical manufacturing stages for emissions reduction, helping industries adopt greener practices and guide sustainability policies and regulations.
Process design and smart manufacturing are also central to COOPS’ mission. Professors Nagy, Reklaitis, and Joseph Pekny leverage AI and machine learning to optimize resource use and minimize waste. Their innovative fault diagnosis systems identify inefficiencies and equipment failures in real time, reducing downtime and enhancing process reliability. These breakthroughs that sustainability and operational efficiency can work together and driving the industry toward a more sustainable and competitive future.
COOPS equips students with hands-on experience and specialized decarbonization skills, strengthening Purdue’s reputation as a leader in sustainability-driven chemical engineering education. Source: Purdue University
The role of PhD students in COOPS’s sustainability and decarbonization projects
PhD students are integral to COOPS’ sustainability and decarbonization initiatives. Their work spans energy systems optimization, LCA, and sustainable process design, where they develop advanced computational methods, optimization algorithms, and AI tools to enhance resource efficiency and decarbonization efforts.
In these projects, students work with faculty, industry partners, and national laboratories, addressing pressing sustainability issues through hands-on research. Whether they are modeling energy-efficient processes, designing smart manufacturing frameworks, or conducting in-depth LCA studies, their work combines theory with real-world application, preparing them for leadership roles in both academia and industry.
Beyond research, students present their findings at conferences, publish in leading journals, and mentor younger peers. This collaborative environment fosters an ecosystem of innovation, equipping students with expertise in computational modeling, AI, machine learning, and data-driven decision-making. By contributing to COOPS’s groundbreaking projects, students sharpen their ability to balance environmental, economic, and operational goals, positioning them as leaders in the transition to a more sustainable future.
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