AID OF SCIENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 30 April 1931, Page 7

AID OF SCIENCE

GAINS TO INDUSTRY.

RESEARCH WORK IN BRITAIN.

LONDON, March 20. The part whicii seientmc research can play ;n accelerating tlie recovery cn jH'itish industry arum the present depression is discussed in the report ot uie Department of Scientific and industrial Lesearch, issued on Saturday 3/Sd, price 3/G.)

The Advisory Council of tlie Department urges most strongly that it is especially m bad times tlmt research is muse useful, and that now it is more, man ever necessary to ensure that the resources of science are not neglected. Co-operative industrial research associations have been established in twenty industries, having a total membersnip of 4UOO firms. , There is evidence, the report states, of the desire of industries to place the finance of their research associations on a firmer basis.

in the wool trade satisfactory arrangements have been made for the imposition of a voluntary levy for research purposes of 2d per bale on all imported wool retained in this country, and id per week per operative employed in the processing sections. This, it is estimated, should provide the Wool Research Association with an income of about £20,000 a year. Authority of Parliament is also being sought with a view to imposing a compulsory levy upon raw rubber material. Instructing Firms,

The usefulness or industrial research depends, of course, finally upon the results achieved being applied. Tbe Advisory Council accordingly highly commends the organisation, by several reseat cli associations, of sections devoted .solely to the work of exp.aining to linns, oi leu by personal visits and practical demonstration, tbe industrial value of the results of their reesarchc-s and how they may be applied.

The- Cast Iron Research Association lias developed a. number or improved heat-resisting alloys which bave been tested on an industrial scale with high_ ly promising results, as stoker links, lire bill's, annealing pots, etc. The Association has also introduced a cheap apparatus for testing moulding sands, which, if generally used, would result in economics in the use of sand estimated to amount to £IOO,OOO. Certain railway companies are now making full-scale trials of the materials developed by the Nan-Fer-rous Metals Research Association for copper fireboxes and boiler stays in locomotives. The basic cause of the wastage of boiler stays has been sought since the time of George Stephenson; and has now been established for the first time through the association’s work.

The most important researches carried out in the department’s own establishments were those dealing with coal. By treating coal with hydrogen at temperatures of 400 to 500 deg. C. and at pressures of 200 atmospheres, it was possible to convert a large portion of the coal substances into liquid fuels. Commercially the most valuable of these were light motor spirits, i.e., oils building at temperatures up to 230 deg. C. It is estimated that 120 gallons of motor spirit will eventually be obtained from a ton of coal. Metallurgical Coke.

As soon as financial circumstances permit large-scale investigations into the production of metallui gical coke will be made. The enquiry is an important one since the cost of coke used represents 30 to 40 per cent, of the cost of producing iron and steel, while 17.000,000 tons of coal are annually converted into metallurgical coke—about the toted quantity used in tho gas industry in a year. Evidence is furnished of the growing interest of the building industry in the work of the Building Research Station. The Steel Structures Research Committee, as a preliminary step, propose to prepare a report reviewing present methods and regulations for the design of steel-frame buildings. As a result of this work the Committee hope that the adoption of a standard practice for the use of structural steels in buildings will prove practicable. The demands on the existing tank at the National Physical Laboratory used for shipbuilding research have made it necessary to provide a second and larger one. A New Material. A romance of chemical research lies behind tho production of a new material which can be used in the manufacture of such varied articles ns mnbrelI la handles, cigarette holders, and wireless equipment. This useful substance is the product of two common disinfectants, carbolic a (fid and formaldehyde, and is the achievement of the Blackley Research Laboratories of Imperial Chemical Industries. Although both the original disinfectants are themselves unstable, in the final form the new substance has great resistance to heat and is a non-con-ductor of electricity. The original product is a grey powder resembling road dust. This is poured into moulds of any shape, which are closed by hydraulic steam-heated presses. The mass solidifies and in a few moments the finished artie'e. bright and polished, is ready for use. It is claimed that the new substance can replace vu'eanite in most of its uses. Its moulding qualities are so good that screw-threads can be produced by this means. The net cost of all the EenertnvuitV. activities for the vnrir ended March 31st last was £536,746.