In many cases non-zinc anodes outperform actual zinc anodes, depending upon the type of metal you need to protect and the nature of the water in which the metal being protected is immersed. It all has to do with the voltage of the anode when referenced against a standard.
Chemical engineers at pharmaceutical manufacturers have the same duties as those of consumer goods manufacturers, but they have additional duties as well. Their focus is on developing new drugs or products to enhance the health of humans and animals.
Nanotechnology is another growing field where chemical engineers work. This could be anything from using nanoparticles to purify contaminated groundwater, to working with DNA for gene or stem cell therapies. These are just a few of the most common examples of what a chemical engineer may do for a career.