Formulation Engineering

Catalog description

Students will learn the scientific and design principles needed for careers in complex fluid formulation-based industries such as consumer products, pharmaceuticals, paints, agrochemicals or lubricants. The essential science and engineering principles of colloids, surfactants, interfaces and polymer solutions will be introduced. Students will learn to use these principles in combination with experimental measurements and statistical design of experiments tools to design effective liquid product formulations within specified economic, material and even aesthetic constraints. The lecture portion of the course is complemented by weekly lab sessions where student teams will design, prepare, test and improve their own formulations for a commercial complex fluid product, such as a detergent or an ink, that meets performance goals within specified constraints.