Chemical reaction engineering (CRE) is expanding in scope and breadth through the application of the core CRE principles to new problems in emerging technologies, through the application of new techniques to the more effective solution of traditional problems, and through the integration of the widely varied CRE activities into broad, powerful systems descriptions. Catalysis, chemical kinetics, transport phenomena, applied mathematics, and the modeling, design, and optimization of chemical reactors are the core and the intellectual basis of CRE. The CRE discipline will contribute significant, tangible improvements to the emerging technologies, such as biotechnology, microelectronics, and advanced materials; will further advance existing technologies in petroleum refining, petrochemicals, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals; will contribute to protecting the environment; and above all will provide new systematic knowledge and generic tools. New analytical instrumentation is providing more quantitative information on complex reaction and product mixtures, on catalyst structures, and on catalytic reaction mechanisms. Major advances in computing speed and marked changes in computer architecture, e.g., massively parallel processing, are providing new opportunities for advancement of catalyst, reactor, and process technologies and for rapid quantification and advancement in the emerging technologies, which will extend from the microscale molecular level to macroscale integration into processes and total systems. To meet the challenges of the future, strengthening core components of CRE through interdisciplinary teaming with experts in other fields is essential. This effective teaming should be enhanced by powerful global computer networks, could reduce fragmentation of the CRE profession, and provides a mechanism for enhanced development of its core disciplines.