All chemists know that refineries really separate mixtures of molecules into highly purified versions of oil, sugar, natural gas, etc., on a scale that is suitable for society-wide consumption. However, the public’s image of chemistry is too often associated with industrial refineries, and the accompanying smoke stacks, sulfurous smells and, more recently, the impact of CO2 and methane on climate change. Perhaps the refineries for the future will be images of CO2 removal and mineralization, or the cleansing of drinking water on a global scale. From a Scotsman’s perspective, however, my favorite refinery will always be the Glenfarclas distillery in Speyside Scotland — sustainable, beautiful and one of the greatest man-made products on earth. — David MacMillan – Princeton University
