Translational Chemical R&D: The Driving Force for Job Creation

The Council for Chemical Research (CCR) and the American Chemical Society (ACS) co-hosted a Presidential Symposium at the 2010 ACS National Meeting held on Sunday, August 22, 2010 in Boston, MA. 

Abstract: 
R&D can be the driving force for job creation in the chemical enterprise and enable the U.S. to compete in the global marketplace.  The first presentations explored big picture trends in the chemical workforce and barriers to continued growth. One critical trend to address is the transition within the U.S. from manufacturing bulk chemicals to higher value specialty chemicals. If the U.S. cannot compete on low raw material costs then it must compete by retaining the most advanced and flexible knowledge base. 

As the most efficient place to translate chemical R&D into commercial products, the U.S. can maintain a “first-to-market” advantage with new products and retain a strong workforce. To accomplish this goal will require new tools to maximize the impact of R&D.  The critical factor is to identify the knowledge gaps and use R&D to provide the competitive advantage. The second set of presentations focused on tools to translate R&D to commercialization.  Examples include models for open collaboration, venture investment in spin-offs, and R&D centers or hubs.

Speakers and Presentations:

Dr. Montgomery Alger
Chief Technology Officer
Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

Dr. Mark G. Allen
Senior Vice Provost for Research & Innovation
Georgia  Institute of Technology

Dr. Pat N. Confalone
Vice President
DuPont Crop Protection, Global R&D

Dr. Eric D. Isaacs
Director
Argonne National Laboratory

Dr. Chad A. Mirkin
Northwestern University
Department of Chemistry

Dr. Charles W. Wessner
Director, Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship
The National Academies