Investigation was made on the effect of chromium content, and method of hydrothermal preparation of Cr/ZrO 2 catalysts on their catalytic properties for CO 2 oxidative dehydrogenation of propane (ODP). The catalysts were characterized by nitrogen physisorption, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and temperature programmed reduction and desorption of CO 2 (TPD-CO 2). The Cr/ZrO 2 catalysts containing various chromium contents between 2.5 and 15 wt.% of Cr were prepared by conventional and microwave-assisted hydrothermal methods. Tetragonal ZrO 2 was formed, with higher Cr contents, and smaller crystallite sizes obtained using the microwave-assisted method. The relationship between selectivity to propene and propane conversion suggested that independent of the preparation method, the catalytic properties could be classified in two groups, with low and high chromium contents. The TPD-CO 2 results showed that a fraction of the CO 2 was desorbed at temperatures higher than 500°C, with simultaneous reduction of Cr(VI) species. The presence of CO 2 in the reactants caused strong decreases of activity, selectivity, and yield towards propene. These results suggested that CO 2 adsorbed strongly on the chromium oxide active sites for dehydrogenation of propane. The Cr/ZrO 2 catalysts were active and selective for dehydrogenation of propane in the absence of CO 2 (CDP), and became deactivated with time on stream. The activity was reestablished by thermal treatment with CO 2 or O 2 after deactivation in CDP catalytic cycles, with the activity always being reestablished by treatment in O 2. The deactivation occurred by reduction of Cr(VI) species and by deposition of carbonaceous species produced in oligomerization reactions.

Innovation is becoming more and more central in our society and it is directly associated to the possibility of sustainable economic and social development. In this new scenario, the educational institutions have increasingly assumed a relevant role for the innovation-based economic development. Consequently, education includes among its main missions collaboration for the promotion of a sustainable development with environmental preservation. Concerning the economic, social and environmental aspects, the economic pillar has been developed almost in an isolated manner, favouring more the financial aspects, less the social and almost ignoring the demands of the global environment. The potential conflict between development and preservation can be tackled through the stimulus for innovation, the correct use of new technologies and the dissemination through education, in all levels, of management methods based on the collaboration between schools, research teams, companies and society in general. A contemporary education, covering innovation solutions for a sustainable existence on our planet, has the chance to contribute to correct the adopted paths so far, so that the economic balance could be achieved with environmental preservation and social development. Sustainability defines how the humanity can meet its demands today without compromising the needs of future generation. It should be a guiding principle for world economic development and is closely depending on the way our population is educated to face such challenge. This paper presents a discussion on these aspects and proposes a framework of references to support its concept and implementation. Mota and Oliveira Brazilian Journal of Science and Technology 2013, 1:2 http://www.bjst-journal.com/content/1/1/2 ResumoInovação está se tornando cada vez mais central em nossa sociedade e está diretamente associada à possibilidade de um desenvolvimento econômico e social sustentável. Neste cenário, as instituições educacionais têm assumido um papel cada vez mais relevante no desenvolvimento econômico baseado em inovação. Consequentemente, educação inclui entre suas principais missões colaborar na promoção de um desenvolvimento sustentável com preservação ambiental. No que diz respeito aos aspectos econômicos, sociais e ambientais, o pilar da economia tem se desenvolvido muitas vezes de uma maneira quase isolada, priorizando os componentes financeiros, conferindo menos atenção às questões sociais e ignorando as demandas ambientais. Este potencial conflito entre desenvolvimento e preservação pode ser devidamente equacionado via estímulo à inovação, o correto uso de novas tecnologias e a disseminação pela educação, em todos os níveis, de métodos de gestão apropriados, baseados na colaboração entre escolas, pesquisadores, tecnólogos, empresas e sociedade em geral. Uma educação contemporânea, abrangendo soluções inovadoras para um desenvolvimento sustentável em nosso planeta, tem a chance de contribuir para corrigir os caminhos adotados até aqui, tal que um bal...

Purpose Engineering is a powerful instrument for promoting the social and economic development of nations. Its enhancement is a strategic element to accelerate Brazil’s progress. This paper aims to present a new perspective on the topic of “Engineering and Development in Brazil, Challenges and Prospects” (Guimarães et al., 2007). Its goal is to discuss the need for restructuring the Brazilian system for research, development and innovation (RD&I) and the training of human resources in engineering in the country. Design/methodology/approach This article is designed to discuss the relations between the performance of the industrial sector and the maturation of engineering in Brazil by looking at the national scientific production in the area in comparison to the world production and to countries (South Korea and The Netherlands). Finally, in terms of training human resources, the Brazilian study abroad program Science without Borders program is discussed in the article as an important tool for the qualification of engineering students in Brazil. Findings A few of the main findings in this research are as follows: despite being among the top 20 countries in scientific production in Engineering, Brazil still lacks turning this scientific-technological knowledge into products and patents; Brazilian universities and research institutes must build interorganizational collaborations with the industrial sector to increase innovation in the field of engineering; The distribution of the investment in RD&I in engineering must be strategically distributed among its various fields, taking into account national strategies and the technological interrelations between them. The article concludes that engineering is a powerful instrument for promoting a country’s social development while offering indications about Brazilian strategic orientation in the development of engineering. Originality/value Despite already being well known that engineering is a powerful instrument for promoting a country’s social development, this article innovates by associating academic scientific production in engineering to other variables related to economic development, such as gross domestic product, human development index, industrial and manufactured production and the filing of patents. It comes at an important moment when the Brazilian Government is discussing new strategies to increase social and economic development in the country while controlling for the investment in RD&I. Therefore, it is the right moment to discuss national policies in science, technology and innovation, especially in the area of engineering.