The goal of this Top Ten Emerging Technologies in Chemistry project is to showcase the value of Chemistry 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. Since 2019, the Jury selects emerging technologies on the basis of those in between a new scientific discovery and a fully-commercialized technology, and those with the greatest capacity to open new opportunities in chemistry and beyond.
The next search for the 2022 Top Ten Emerging Technologies in Chemistry has already begun – make a nomination here by 31 March 2022.
Chemistry plays a key role in tackling today’s challenges and ensuring a sustainable future. Since 2019, IUPAC has been identifying technologies with the potential to advance our society and improve our quality of life.
Our society faces unprecedented challenges. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is perhaps the one at the forefront of our minds, but there are many other critical global issues that also require urgent action, such as the climate crisis, the growing instability and cost of energy, and the scarcity of natural minerals and resources. In an attempt to tackle these problems, international bodies have launched bold initiatives such as the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), both of which set ambitious targets to improve our world. The role of chemistry is central to finding and implementing innovative solutions that enable a more sustainable future. Therefore, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) is working to highlight the importance of the chemical sciences through different outreach projects, among them an initiative to identify emerging technologies in chemistry.
Céline Wittwer, SCS
04.03.2022