Chemical engineering among research areas at UA ranked internationally

The 2016 National Taiwan University (NTU) Ranking—also known as the “Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers for World Universities” — lists The University of Akron as having the strongest chemical engineering research in the state of Ohio, as well as ranking 29^th among similar research programs in the United States and in the Top 140 in the world.

In addition, the annual survey finds research conducted at UA in the areas of materials science, mechanical engineering and chemistry scores among the Top 75 most influential colleges and universities in the U.S.

The NTU Ranking offers annual performance ratings of universities around the world based on the production and impact of scientific papers based on research productivity, impact and excellence.

“These rankings are just one more indication of the significant world-class research performed here at The University of Akron,” said Dr. Donald Visco Jr., interim dean of the College of Engineering.

“In the case of chemical engineering, prospective students will find no more influential research underway in the state of Ohio than that here at UA,” said Dr. H. Michael Cheung, professor and chair of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. “For business and industry facing challenges involving chemical engineering, here’s where you’ll find impactful, cutting-edge research.”

Also included in the rating of scientific publications in the field of chemical engineering is some work originating in UA’s departments of chemistry and polymer engineering. Dr. Sadhan Jana, professor and chair of the Department of Polymer Engineering, noted that “one strength of The University of Akron is the ability to tie fundamental science and engineering directly to application-focused research.” 

Other Ohio universities appearing in the chemical engineering research ratings include The Ohio State University (34^th), Case Western Reserve University (36^th) and the University of Cincinnati (53^rd). The full NTU Rankings are available online.

Media contact: Dan Minnich, 330-972-6476 or dminnich@uakron.edu.