Coordination of multi-scales in chemical engineering

The work of chemical engineers involves an enormous range of scales: from molecules in nano-meters to the globe in mega-meters, and from molecular rotation in pico-seconds to global warming in giga-seconds. However, most chemical engineers are specialists in only one or two scales, and coordination is needed to ensure harmony and productivity in service to the human condition. There are three historic successful methods of coordination: (a) a single all-knowing generalist, (b) the volunteer cooperation among specialists, and (c) the hierarchical command of specialists. The numerous opportunities and threats today urgently require coordination among scales, and the volunteer cooperation method seems the most appropriate for the future since the complexities of the problems involved transcend the competence of any single organization.