Chemical engineering uses the knowledge of chemistry, mathematics, physics, biology, and social sciences to solve societal problems such as energy, health, environment, food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. It serves a variety of processing industries whose vast array of products include chemicals, petroleum products, plastics, pharmaceuticals, foods, semiconductors, textiles, fuels, consumer products, and electronic and cryogenic materials. It also serves society to improve the environment by reducing and eliminating pollution.

The Henry Samueli School of Engineering's sixth annual industry research symposium brings together internationally acknowledged faculty and academic visionaries from UC Irvine and other universities, key industry leaders, legislators, and national and state agency heads to discuss current research activities, trends, and developments on selected topics. This year's theme, “Disruptive Technologies for the 21st Century: Engineering the Lifesciences,” brings to the forefront technological advances that will transform the lifesciences.