The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry is releasing its call for proposals to identify the top ten emerging technologies in chemistry with the results to be announced in 2021.
This initiative began in 2018 in recognition of IUPAC’s Centenary in 2019, and while it was created to kick-off IUPAC’s anniversary year in a very visible way, the end goal was to showcase the value of Chemistry (and chemists!) and to inform the general public as to how the chemical sciences contribute to the well-being of Society and the sustainability of Planet Earth. The finalists for 2019 were announced in April 2019 and detailed in the April/June 2019 issue of Chemistry International (CI) and the finalists for 2020 were announced in October 2020 and also detailed in CI.
The call for the 2021 proposals is now open. Anyone can submit one or more proposals – this call for proposals is open to the global science community as well as to the general public.
LINK to nomination form
Call for nomination – deadline 31 March 2021
What is an “Emerging Technology?”
An “Emerging Technology” is one that is between a new scientific discovery and a fully-commercialized technology. It should involve a solid understanding of the technology, some type of prototype, or even better some start-ups working to commercialize the technology. But most importantly, the technology needs to be exciting, have the capacity to open up new opportunities in chemistry and beyond, and most importantly, help to solve major global problems – the focus of IUPAC’s vision and mission. The term “chemistry” is used in its broadest sense, including material science, nanotechnology, and biochemistry. Bottom line, an emerging technology is a discovery that hovers between an embryonic “Eureka” moment in the lab and an industrial application.
This initiative is to help to raise chemistry’s profile and reinforce its essential role in the advancement of science and technology.
For more information, contact Fabienne Meyers, IUPAC Associate Director and Editor, Chemistry International ([email protected])
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Call first posted 25 October 2020 with the announcement of the 2020 finalists.