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INNOVATION
Dr. William Banholzer is the Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for The Dow Chemical Company. He's responsible for driving innovation and leading Dow's global research and development activities.
He is one of only 105 active chemical engineers elected to the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, which honors those who have made important contributions to engineering theory and practice or demonstrated unusual accomplishment in the pioneering of new and developing fields of technology.
Dr. Banholzer is one of Dow's leading voices in the constant pursuit of innovation. He is a prominent example of the advancements being made every day by the human element
FROM HERE TO THERE
As emissions and carbon footprints continue to grow in importance, automobile manufacturers are dissecting every inch of the vehicle. Yet among literally thousands of initiatives, one area in particular is most publicized: the electrification of the vehicle.
For the past several years it has manifested itself as a race to higher MPG, with car manufacturers one-upping each other by a few miles per gallon here or there. And impressively, over the course of just a few years, the public was introduced to, learned about, and eventually demanded hybrid technology.
However we may soon be reaching a point in battery technology/storage/implementation that would make the word "hybrid" an outdated term. The first practical vehicle that is also completely electric is within reach.
These are the fruits of human ambition. This is what happens when we find human solutions to human problems.
GROWING RESPONSIBILITY
In addition to physically creating enough food for the world's population, there exists another global barrier.
Policy.
For many governments it is a delicate and often difficult balance. Feeding and keeping their populations healthy often comes at the cost of giving up their own internal production by relying on imports from other countries - weakening their economy.
It is this balance that makes foreign policy and legislation a crucial element in solving the issue of global hunger. And it is this balance that is at the forefront of countless humanitarian groups and endeavors.
Yet scientists also see this as an area of opportunity. By engineering crops that are more resilient and can grow in extreme climates and conditions, foreign governments can become increasingly self-sufficient, while adequately providing for their populations.
It's work that moves us one step closer to feeding seven billion people, and it's a perfect example of the human element in action
A CITY IN THE DESERT
At present, there is a debate raging throughout the world's water sector. It's a debate that pins infrastructure against progress, and it's one that won't be going away anytime soon.
The debate is over the quality of water. The U.S. alone treats approximately 40 billion gallons of water a day to drinkable standards. 99 percent of this water will never be used for human consumption, instead used primarily for irrigation and industrial use.
As water demand rises, and renewable water becomes increasingly difficult to access, this overtaxing of our water infrastructure will begin to be felt not just by cities, but by everyone.
Blueprints for newer cities all over the states are taking a more thoughtful approach to water treatment. A trend that's emerging worldwide, finding human solutions to human problems.
FARMING THE SUN
As solar technology progresses, new emphasis will be placed on smart public policy.
In places like Japan, Germany, and Spain, the incentives to adopt solar both publicly and privately are substantial. Consumer-level solar users who contribute power to the grid are compensated for their energy - this in addition to the power they've generated for themselves. At present, the way these foreign governments encourage the use of solar energy is similar to how the U.S. encourages its ethanol farmers.
These pioneers abroad are using public policy to drive the adoption of alternative energy sources. The effect is two-fold. It lessens the reliance on traditional sources of energy, while increasing public support for cleaner, forward-thinking technologies.
The push for solar in the private sector is redefining our energy infrastructure, and independent installations are putting power within reach for everyone. It's another way chemistry becomes the work of humanity. And it's an example of the human element in action.