The strong core base in chemical engineering during the latter half of
the 20th century enabled chemical engineers to contribute extensively to
many areas outside of the traditional. The depth of such involvement has
led researchers to confront questions much more engaging to the field of
application, thus adopting and cultivating expertise more native to it
than to secure chemical engineering as a discipline. The progress of
knowledge in science and engineering must leave a strong trail of
fundamental understanding through developed methodologies that can
assist in continuing progress. If this tenet is acknowledged, this
article yields considerable scope for discussion on whether chemical
engineering research is continuing to provide for a growing core that
has endowed chemical engineers with the ability to formulate and solve
important societal problems in which material systems undergo changes in
composition and energy. We discuss opportunities for hopefully serving
the issues of concern.