LABORATORY OF THE MONTH The main building of the Rideal Laboratories houses the chemical and chemical engineering laboratories and physics and technology facilities. The radiation research laboratory is housed independently in a small building
New U. K. Lab Emphasizes
Gas chromatography equipment is available in the physical-analytical laboratory for investigations in this relatively new analytical technique
Radiation
I n addition t o chemical and chemical engineering research laboratories, and those devoted t o physics and technology, t h e Rideal Laboratories h a v e well equipped modern radiation facilities. Here the chemical effects of gamma-radiation on plastics and t h e use of radiation for promoting chemical reactions will be investigated. The effect of small beta sources for similar types of investigations will also be studied. Initially, two separate 100-curie cobalt-60 sources will be employed. With minor modifications, the radiation laboratory can be used for research with u p to 500-curie sources of cobalt-60 and 1000-eurie sources of cesium-135. Adequate safety precautions have been incorporated t h r o u g h o u t the radiation laboratory.
T H E n a m e of Sir Eric Rideal, m a n y times honored chemist, is further perp e t u a t e d in t h e new Rideal Laboratories recently dedicated b y M o n s a n t o Chemicals, Ltd., in Newport, M o n m o u t h lire. At t h e same time, some of the most modern facilities in Great Britain for physical, chemical, and engineering research, particularly b u t not exclusively in t h e polymer field, were placed in operation. T h e principal function of the Rideal Laboratories will be to improve products and manufacturing processes and to diversify operations of M o n s a n t o ' s perations a t N e w p o r t and other locations through development of new products. Designed for future expansion, t h e facilities are t h e first p a r t of a considerably larger laboratory block.
Within the working area of the concrete shield, which is 4 2 inches thick, the experiment is begun when the radioactive source is driven forward. The working space is shielded from the laboratory proper by further concrete walls, with access through a heavy steel gate at the end of a short passage. Mirrors permit observation of remotely controlled instruments and equipment
Research
I -*r.UJ*w
In the radiation laboratory, the effect of 7-radiation on the properties of materials will be investigated. Research involving substitution of radiation for heat, light, or catalysts in promoting chemical reactions will also be studied. Here, equipment is being set up against the background of the protective shield housing the radioactive source 40 A
ANALYTICAL
CHEMISTRY
The technological laboratory has facilities for study of polymer behavior under a wide variety of extrusion conditions and for observing behavior of experimental equipment such as die heads. It is also equipped to investigate polymer technology, including compression molding, injection molding, polymer flow, and solids blending
Two chemical research laboratories, one on each of the double-story areas, are provided. Each has access to the chemical engineering area which occupies the balance of this part of the building. One will concentrate on product and process research and the other on longer term research in the organic and physical chemical fields
Laboratory equipment includes an electron microscope and ultramicrotome which cuts samples as small as 100 A. for electron microscope studies
One wall in each of the two chemical laboratories is proThe physical-analytical research laboratory with its infravided with services but no bench facilities to facilitate red spectrograph, ultraviolet spectroscope, and vaporsetting up of equipment grids. Complex assemblies, such -y^ phase chromatography apparatus, provides an essential as this distillation apparatus and continuous reactor, can be service to the chemical research laboratories on applicainstalled for process research in minimum time tion and development of physical-analytical methods
VOLUME
2 8 , N O . 7, J U L Y
1956
41 A
