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A n Analysis Group in an Industrial Research Organization1 INTRODUCTION TO SYMPOSIUM I. MITCHELL, 11. E. I. d u Pont d e Nemours & Co., Inc., Polychemicals Deparhnent, Wilmington, Delaware D U R I N G the last ten years we have seen a steadily changing pattern in the nature of work performed by a progressive analysis group in an industrial research organization. I n the organic field, in particular, elemental analyses have been displaced largely by chemical and instrumental techniques which provide more detailed information on the materials in a sample. Analyses are required which identify and measure functional groups and specific compounds quantitatively. Where possible direct methods are devised for the accurate measurement of components which may he present in major, minor or even trace concentrations. Often procedures are required which will differentiate among isomers and homologues. The purpose of this symposium is to present our concepts of the role of a modern analysis group in a research organization having interests in a wide variety of organic and inorganic materials. For the most part the discussions will center around developments in the Polychemicals Department of the du Pont Company. This department manufactures high polymers, polymer intermediates, certain food additives, fertilizers, antifreeze compositions, plus a variety of low molecular weight materials. Solids, liquids, and gases must be handled. Analyses range from determinations of major components to substances in parts per million and in some cases parts per billion concentrations. Emphasis is placed on organic analysis including the special area of high polymers. A number of terms will be used in the ensuing papers which should be defined. Analysis encompasses the field in its broadest sense. In addition to referring to qualitative and quantitative analyses, our definition includes structure studies, physical constants measurements, and kinetics. Functional group analyses no longer refer exclusively to techniques based on chemical methods. Rather this type of determination now embraces all techniques, whether chemical or instrumental, which measure a functional group. Analytical research applies to long and short range studies designed to uncover new techniques or new applications of existing techniques for use in analysis. Analytical development refers to the many studies required to modify existing methods for handling current special problems. Service refers to the use of existing methods for the analysis of samples submitted
Symposium presented before the Divisions of Chemical Education and Analytical Chemistry at the 130th Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Atlantic City, September, 1956.
by others. These cover the range from relatively straightforward procedures to comblex methods requiring considerable skill and technical know-how. The modern analytical group must be large enough and he in a position to supply the necessary research, development, and special service analyses required in all phases of a research division program. This includes assistance for scouting and exploratory research, process development, product development, and semiworks. Also the group should act in an advisory capacity and often handle special problems for plants and sales. Analytical research follows two main lines: ( a ) long range fundamental analytical research and ( b ) short range investigations. The long range research is designed to obtain maximum utilization of a technique. It is the major responsibility of the analytical research groups, however, to devise, upon request from the technical staff, new chemical and instrumental methods to solve specific analytical problems. I n general, this work is short range in character because of the need for supplying information quickly for making a decision, as for example, a change in a process step or a new approach in scouting an organic reaction. Experience shows that the rapid solution of many current analytical problems is strongly dependent on the associated program in fundamental analytical research. Both must be good for carrying out the analytical group responsibility to supply reliable information-not merely numbers. Basic research programs supply know-how and a valuable backlog of information that insures the rapid solution of future requests. Often analysis is the key to successful industrial research. Reliable analytical data may be essential in each stage of an industrial development including control of the plant. High caliber personnel are needed to handle the variety of complex problems undertaken. Ideally, each member of the modern analysis group is the complete scientist. He has a t his finger.tips the know-how of the organic and inorganic chemist, the physical chemist, physicist, engineer, and mathematician. Practically, of course, few individuals are so gifted and we achieve this combination of talents by having people trained in each of these branches of science. ORGANIZATION O F THE ANALYTICAL GROUP
The modern analysis group must he versatile and well informed. Close contact must he maintained heJOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION:
tween each man and his supervisor. Our group is divided into four subgroups, each headed by a supervisor: (1) chemical research and development, (2) general instrumental techniques, (3) spectroscopy, and (4) chemical development and service. There are no sharp lines of demarcation between groups; considerable overlap exists. The chemical research and developn~entgronp is charged with the responsibility for devising new analyses. This includes applications of chemical procedures together with polarography and other electrical methods, physical constants measurements, and separations. The general instrument gronp is responsible for research, development, and service employing the techniques of X-ray and electron diffraction, electron and visual microscopy, and continuous analysis. The spectroscopy group handles activities in absorption, nuclear magnetic resonance, emission spectroscopy, and mass spectmmetry. The chemical development and service gronp is responsible for many functions. Included are chemical analyses by macro, semimicro, and micro methods, record-keeping for the whole analysis group, and departmental analytical coordination. SUPPORT OF RESEARCH DIVISION
In our Research Division there are about 150 technical men (chemists and engineers) who require analvtical assistance both for service work and for analytical research. The analytical group including five supervisors fluctuates between 25 and 30 technical men. On this basis it would appear that about five
VOLUME 35, NO. 1, JANUARY, 1958
or six technical men are served by each analytical chemist. The effective ratio is lowered because of the following two reasons. First, the complementary part of our analytical staff is an equal number of skilled nontechnical people. For them we have high praise. The quality of their work and their interest in analysis are important factors in the things that the technical staff can accomplish. The nontechnical people carry out essentially all of the service work together with some of the development activities. A significant portion of the service work is under the direct supervision of capable nontechnical people. Second, a number of the technical men in other sections of our Research Division have had training and/or experience in analytical chemistry, usually in our analysis group. Some of them are in a position to assist the analysis group, directly or indirectly, in keeping watch on the analytical requirement of a new process !or product development. We do not attempt to do all of the analytical service and research of the division within the analysis group. Therefore, we see two important trends for the analysis group: a heavier load of consnltationservices and an increasing amount of fundamental analytical research. This trend is a challenge to the modern, professional analytical chemist. He is a key member of the industrial research team. We hope that the papers of this symposium will provide an inside picture of the analysis group that assists the Research Division of the Polychemicals Department of the du Pont Company. These papers will stress the technical aspects of our activities and will inrlude previously unpublished information.
