Research area in Chemical engineering for PhD?

[chem.eng]

Hello,

 

So I have read everywhere that knowing the kind of research one wants to do is crucial for PhD applications, but I feel very confused about choosing an area in my major (chem eng) like biomolecular, nanomaterials etc. I don't find an inclination yet.

 

What kind of websites/journals I can look at to read more so I have a clearer idea of what to do? I don't now where to look up recent publications in chemical engineering.

 

Any help is appreciated, thanks.

[spectastic]

it helps to know what you want to do, but a lot of times, the PhD research topic is pretty different from the job, particularly in industry. Right now, I'm looking at which markets are looking good before I narrow down what I want to study. Biotech and pharmaceuticals are pretty hot right now, but working with cells isn't really  my cup of tea.

 

I just google everything. Being out of school, I don't have access to the major journals anyway, but it helps to start looking at a high level first like review articles, before doing a ton of research on journals.

 

also, if anyone of a good source to find articles for free, let me know. I don't want to have to email someone to send me articles....

[starofdawn]

Hello,

 

So I have read everywhere that knowing the kind of research one wants to do is crucial for PhD applications, but I feel very confused about choosing an area in my major (chem eng) like biomolecular, nanomaterials etc. I don't find an inclination yet.

 

What kind of websites/journals I can look at to read more so I have a clearer idea of what to do? I don't now where to look up recent publications in chemical engineering.

 

Any help is appreciated, thanks.

 

I'm not sure if you're geographically located near a university, but if you could use their internet/computers to download a few articles and email them to yourself, it could be a low-cost/free way to read literature.