Particles and suspensions in chemical engineering: Accomplishments and prospects

The role of particles and suspensions in many process of technologies and how chemical engineers encounter them are briefly described. Trends in academic chemical engineering research are discussed where it is argued that a focus on fundamentals has driven choice of research problems away from technology. Examples of contributions by chemical engineers to advances in basic understanding and technologies are given. The paper concludes with suggestions of current and future problem areas where chemical engineering research will have an impact.