SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY

Hokitika Guardian, 22 February 1932, Page 8

SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY

BRITISH DEPARTMENT’S WORK LONDON, Jan. 14. The report for 1930-111 of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has been issued. The summary of the work of the Department shows tile help which science can give to industry. The problems touched on extending from the study of new heat-resisting alloys for aircraft construction to improvement in keeping properties of boiled sweets. In the food problems dealt with, the new British canning industry has been helped by successful work on tlie prevention of corrosion of tinplate containers, a problem which been responsible for about 25 per cent, of the wastage in American factoriesThe possibility of prolonging the canning season for soft fruits and vegetables by cold storage is also under consideration.

One of the discoveries made is that the stripes in striped shirts may make the material wear out more quickly. “Certain fast colours,” it is stated, “while themselves unaffected in shape during Wenching, are capable oi inducing very rapid attack by the bleach liquor on the cotton on which they are dyed. The practical consequence of this is that in a bleached shirting or other cloth the stripe dyed with such rapidly disintegrates in wear.” With a mixture of cellulose, leather, rubber, and wool, all in suitable form, various products have been made which “strongly resemble” leather. A new process for the bleaching of wool has proved most successful. “The British manufacturers who have adopted this process.” it is pointed out, “have found that flannel garments laundered 12 times have come up whiter than in their original state.” Mention is made of the King’s interest in the linen industry, and it is stated that three acres of land in the Royal estates at Sandringham have been devoted to the growing of flax. The linen manufactured from this flax was to be used in the Royal household.

An important section of the department’s work is concerned with the iron and steel industries. Research on the blast furnace problems is taking place. Tlie average output of a furnace in Great Britain has increased from 705 tons a week in 1923, when investigations were first started, to 922 tons irq 1930. The work of the department costs a little over £500,000 a year. “There are those.” states the Advisory Council, “who would urge us forthwith to recommend greatly increased. State expenditure on research for the solution of industrial difficulties. In our view, such a development cannot bo defended. The expenditure which is defensible in tlie national interest depends on the degree to which industry generally is prepared to apply scientific method and advances in scientific knowledge. So long as we nrc. convinced, as we are to-day, that industry is showing itself increasingly ready to make effective use of science, so long shall 1 we be able to justify to the nation this policy of steady development to meet new needs as they arise.”