In recent literature, prospective application of life cycle assessment (LCA) at low technology readiness levels (TRL) has gained immense interest for its potential to enable development of emerging technologies with improved environmental performances. However, limited data, uncertain functionality, scale up issues and uncertainties make it very challenging for the standard LCA guidelines to evaluate emerging technologies and requires methodological advances in the current LCA framework. In this paper, we review published literature to identify major methodological challenges and key research efforts to resolve these issues with a focus on recent developments in five major areas: cross-study comparability, data availability and quality, scale-up issues, uncertainty and uncertainty communication, and assessment time. We also provide a number of recommendations for future research to support the evaluation of emerging technologies at low technology readiness levels: (a) the development of a consistent framework and reporting methods for LCA of emerging technologies; (b) the integration of other tools with LCA, such as multicriteria decision analysis, risk analysis, technoeconomic analysis; and (c) the development of a data repository for emerging materials, processes, and technologies. K E Y W O R D S emerging technology, ex ante LCA, industrial ecology, life cycle assessment (LCA), technoeconomic analysis (TEA), technology readiness level (TRL)

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Students' knowledge about a profession influences their future decisions about careers. Research indicates that students tend to hold stereotypical views of engineers, which would hinder engineering as a career choice. The purpose of this study was to measure how participating in a week long engineering summer camp affected middle school students' (N519) attitudes towards engineering and their conceptions of engineering and technology. Results indicate that participation in the programs had a positive impact on the students' understandings of what technology is and the work engineers do. Although the results indicate a positive impact on participants, it is not clear which components of the camp contributed to this change. The partnership between practicing middle school teachers and engineering faculty was important to the success of the camp, revealing the benefits of collaborative efforts between K-12 educators and engineering professionals.

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This research involves the development of an economic-based methodology for waste minimization and reduction of energy consumption in the chemical industry by modifying existing processes. The methodology consists of identifying waste minimization options through a sensitivity analysis and flowsheet configurations through a hierarchical procedure. The alternatives identified together with the heat-exchanger network were used to construct a superstructure that was formulated as an MINLP problem. The superstructure was evaluated and optimized with ASPEN PLUS. An economic model based on the net present value method that incorporates both manufacturing and capital costs was used to select the most profitable configuration. The production of methyl chloride was used to evaluate the methodology. Results obtained identified the optimized base case as the best process. When considering byproducts as wastes, the hydrochlorination of methanol using an adiabatic plug flow reactor was identified as the best process.