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T H E JOURNAL OF I N D U S T R I A L A N D ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
Vol.
12,
No. 4
BOOK REVIEWS The Outlook for Research and Invention. By NEVI&M. HOPKINK George Washington University. x 241 pp. and 6 photogravure portraits. D. Van Nostrand Co., New York, 1919. Price, $2.00. One of the striking characteristics of the great war was the important rale which chemistry, and especially the chemistry of poison gases, played in it. Equally striking was “the sudden recognition of the fundamental importance of chemical research by governments, leaders of industry and the man in the street.” Because of this a book which states as its purpose “to stimulate a more general interest, not so much in what has been known as Yankee invention, but in the broader and more comprehensive American research, and to add a tiny mite towards lifting its efficiency through indicating its charm, its national worth a t this time, the educational requirements to those new in the field and to point out the reasons for loss in efficiency through misconception, intense duplication work and the many snares and pitfalls awaiting the unwary inventor,” should be of interest to the chemist and the general reading public as well. Hopkins accomplishes his purposes by quotations from well-known scientists and by drawing upon his own broad experience both before and during the war. After discussing the spirit of research and men of research, he takes up the question of education, some seemingly impossible problems which have been successfully solved, and then discusses industrial research in the factory, The closing chapter relates to the making and protecting of inventions. That the book is written from the viewpoint of a physicist and engineer is seen in the appendix, which lists “problems awaiting solution.” According to this list, the following chemical problems await solution : chemical data for the engineering solution of problems, synthetic diamonds and foods, catalysts and the fixation of nitrogen. It would seem that there are many other industrial chemical problems that might well have been included, for the uninitiated may easily have the idea upon glancing through this list that chemistry is practically a closed art. Perhaps the lesson we need most to learn to-day is found in the chapter on “Research in the Factory.” By the use of such examples as the development of nitrocellulose and smokeless powder, the adding machine, and the high tension electrical magneto, Hopkins points out the relation of the investigator in pure science to industrial research. “While i t is extremely interesting and upbuilding to think in terms of atoms and molecules, it is equally important to think in terms of large quantities of the chemical compounds that enter into reactions.” This research may be carried out in one of three ways. The most expensive, but not the most costly, is the equipment of factories with modern research laboratories and the employment of able specialists. While this method can be used only by large companies, such as the General Electric Company, there are few instances where such laboratories have failed to become selfsupporting and to add very materially to the quality and quantity of factory production. And when such laboratories are not abundantly self-supporting, they fail of their purpose. A second method is that proposed by the late Professor Duncan, involving the use of industrial fellowships a t universities. The plan has been installed a t the Universities of Kansas and Pittsburgh, and has proven satisfactory in many cases. There is only one danger attending this scheme ; the university atmosphere pervades it, and the manufacturer who is willing to spend a certain sum of money, but who desires results quickly, often finds the work dragging over a long period of time. The third method, and probably the one most suited to the majority of manufacturing concerns, is to utilize the commercial laboratories which are scattered throughout the country. These are
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equipped with men and apparatus capable of solving practically all the industrial problems submitted to them. Since it is their livelihood, they aim to secure results as quickly as is consistent with an adequate solution of the problem, and while the finer scientific points of the investigation must of necessity be left unsolved or turned over to university men who have time for such work, the manufacturer secures information which enables him to install or correct his process and to maintain his production a t a desired standard, both of quality and of quantity. The only disappointing chapter is the one on American War Research. There we looked for some of the problems and achievements of our Chemical Warfare Service and the other scientific organizations which contributed so materially to the success of our army abroad. All we find, however, is the organization of the National Academy of Sciences and the National Research Council. The book will prove interesting reading to those who desire to know more of that fascinating subject “research,” especially as related to physics and engineering. CLARENCE J. WEST Colloids in Biology and Medicine. By H. BECHHOLD.Translated by J. G. M. BUL~OWA. xiv 464 pp. D. Van Nostrand Co., New York, 1919. Price, $5.00. In view of the rapidly increasing recognition of the importance of colloid chemistry, a translation of Bechhold’s book is a thing to be thankful for. Although the book deals primarily with biology and medicine, the facts that are given is in many cases of very general application and are consequently of interest to many different readers. The relation between the reactions of gelatin and the processes of tanning is self-evident. The relation of leather to hides is very similar to that of vulcanized to raw rubber. Ore flotation depends on the stabilization of bubbles by selective adsorption. The dyeing of tissues and the dyeing of textiles involve the same general principles. The emulsions of the druggist enable us to duplicate and understand some of the reactions of protoplasm. The author treats his subject under four main heads: introduction to the study of colloids; the biocolloids; the organism as a colloid system; toxicology and pharmacology. Under the first subdivision, the titles of the chapters are: what are colloids? surfaces; size of particles, molecular weight, osmotic pressure, conductivity ; phenomena of motion; consistency of colloids; optical and electrical properties of colloids; methods of colloid research. Under biocolloids the chapters are entitled: carbohydrates ; lipoids; proteins ; food and condiments; enzymes; immunity reactions. Under the general heading of the organism as a colloid system, we have the special subdivisions: significance of the colloidal condition for the organism; metabolism and the distribution of material; growth, metamorphosis, and development; the cell; the movements of organisms; blood, respiration, circulation and its disturbances; absorption; the nerves. Bechhold’s views in regard to starch and iodine, page 135, are very interesting. On account of their great surface development, the adsorptive capacity of starches is very great. As has been said, when they swell they adsorb water, dyes, etc. A very characteristic adsorption compound is formed with iodine. Iodine is the best known reagent for starches; by it they are stained blue. It was formerly believed that iodine and starch united chemically; W. Biltz (Kiister) showed that it is merely an adsorption. According to the degree of adsorption, iodine solution is blue, red, orange or yellow, inasmuch as the starch solution acts as a protective colloid (W. Harrison). There are in addition varieties of starch which give a t once a brownish red or a wine-red color with iodine. Inulin and lichenin are colored yellow by iodine.
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Apr., 1920
T H E J O U R N A L OF I N D U S T R I A L A N D ENGINEERING C H E M I S T R Y
It is worth noting, page 178, that there is a wide-spread error that stale bread has lost water and is desiccated. This is not true; the crumbling consistency OF stale bread is due to a shifting of the water within the loaf; the starch grains transfer water to the albuminous framework. J. R. Katz studied th? problem and found that bread kept fresh longer a t 50’ to IOO as well as below -10’ (best in a current of air); in other words, there is a balance of swelling in starch and gluten which corresponds to that of fresh bread. At from o0to 25 O stale bread is the stable form. Staling is a particularly reversible process; dry rolls are made fresh by heating them. This is an old expedient frequently employed. The results of Katz’ research on keeping bread fresh a t low temperatures deserves the attention of the trade. WILDERD. BANCROFT AND A. Les Amandes et L’Huile de Palme. By E. BAILLAUD STIELTJES. xxiv 346 pp. Institut Colonial de Marseille, 5, Rue Noailles, Marseille, France, 1920. This volume of 350 pages gives a very complete view of the palm kernel oil industry up to the breaking out of the World War. It goes largely into the conditions of the industry in England, Germany, and France, considering carefully the returns from manufacturing, the capacity of the factories, problems connected with the importation of palm kernel nuts, transportation, the difference in favor of Germany at the breaking out of the war, and the actual situation of the fat and oil industry in England and France a t the present time. It also contains a chapter showing the means which should be taken to develop the industry. The greater part of the book consists of a translation of the report of the Committee on Edible Oil Producing Nuts and Seeds presented to both houses of Parliament by command of His Majesty, June 1916. This Committee made a careful investigation of the industry as it existed in England, and the report gives the minutes of the evidence taken. This translation occupies 255 pages. The second part of the book goes very carefully into the preparation of the fruit from which the palm oil is obtained. It contains numerous descriptions and cuts of machinery used. The third part of the book goes very particularly into the mechanical treatment for producing palm oil a t Togo and Cameroun. Part 4 of the book consists of world statistics of fats and oils compiled in 1913. The book is recommended particularly to those interested in the production and manufacture of this special product. DAVIDWESSON
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Analysis of Babbitt. By JAMES BRAKES. 169 pp. Allen Book and Printing Co., Troy, New York, 1919. Price, $2.00.
The author states in his preface that this is a small practical ’book on the analysis and manufacture of Babbitts and that i t includes reactions and data, as well as references to many methods of analysis and an extensive bibliography on metallurgical engineering. The data comprise, for a small volume, a remarkably extensive compilation of information on the history, properties, occurrence, metallurgy, uses, and compounds of the metallic elements used in bearing metals ; namely, antimony, tin, lead, and copper. These statements are evidently taken from a wide range of sources and indicate an exhaustive search of the literature. They are, however, quoted one after another as a series of notes with nothing to indicate their relative importance. Many references are given, but in many more cases the reader is left to judge of the authenticity and value of the information. Unfortunately, there are many inaccuracies and misstatements. Very extensive information is given on the occurrence of minute quantities of tin, lead and copper in food products. Undue importance is given to the poisonous nature of the metals
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and statements are quoted which appear not to have been fully authenticated. The title of the book is, in fact, not broad enough to cover its scope, and, although there are separate analytical methods given for each of the four metals, there is no complete method for quantitative analysis of Babbitt metal described consecutively, The methods described are not those generally accepted as desirable. The bibliography covers references to over one thousand different articles and publications, both in English and other languages, and apparently includes all that was found relating in any way to the analysis and metallurgy of these four metals. This is a valuable list of references and it includes a great many relating to the analysis of Babbitt. However, much the larger number refer to articles with little relevancy to this subject, including many on the detection of traces of metals in food products and in relation to medical diagnosis. With a bibliography of such broad scope it is difficult for one studying a special subject to find the references particularly relating to it. The last chapter, entitled “Babbitt Metal,” contains notes on manufacture, mixing and sampling of Babbitt. Two formulas are given here as No. I and No. 2 Babbitt, which are stated to be all that are usually necessary for ordinary work. These are not generally accepted as such. The book contains grammatical and typographical errors, although the latter are probably no more frequent than would be expected in a first edition from a non-technical press. The arrangement and type of titles and sub-heads is poor. W. A. COWAN Annuario per le Industrie Chimiche e Farmaceutiche-Anno I, 1918. Compiled for the Committee on the Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industries by Professors NASINI, VILLAVECCHIA,CAPPELLIAND MENEGHINI with the collaboration AND SILVESTRI. Published by of Doctors FANTACCHIOTTI 555 the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Labor. vi pp. Typografia Operaia Romana Cooperativa, Via Porta Cavallegeri 7A, Rome, Italy, 1919. Very tangible evidence of the tremendous increase in Italy’s chemical production during the war period is presented by this directory of her chemical and pharmaceutical industries, which is the work of the committee organized in November 1915 to cooperate with the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Labor in the war work of the industry. Data collected from manufacturers by this committee were so obviously of commercial value that it was decided to put it into permanent form. The directory gives an alphabetical list of the manufacturers, their addresses, and the products they manufacture; a similar list of chemical and pharmaceutical products with their makers; statistics of average monthly production, and of imports and exports from 1911 to 1918. These Italian facts and figures, set down in black and white, remind us very forcibly that the United States is not the only country which has expanded her chemical industry during the war and foretell, too, the keen competition that there will be for chemical and drug products in all of the world’s markets. Italian sulfur, argols, tartaric and citric acids, vegetable oils, and citrus essences have long held their place in these markets; but to-day Italy is producing lead acetate, nitric and hydrochloric acids, caustic soda, benzene, and naphthalene (to mention but a few of the products of her war expansion) all far in excess of her domestic requirements. This carefully arranged directory will surely be of value to the Italian chemical industry in its sales efforts, for it makes immediately available just the information of sources and of output which both the foreign and domestic buyer is continually seeking. WILLIAMHAYNES
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