In the analytical separations laboratory, along with gas chromatography, other approaches used for achieving separations are solution chromatography, distillation, extraction, and zone melting. This area also carries out con-
trolled degradation of unknown materials to isolate fragments. Also contained in this area are vacuum racks for handling gas samples and preparing known mixtures of gases for calibration
Olin Consolidates Research Activities LABORATORY OF THE MONTH T H E Olin Research Center is located in New H a v e n , Conn., near Yale University. T h e Center, opened formally in M a r c h , consists of two research buildings. One is devoted t o metallurgical research. I n the other, the company has consolidated all its research activities in organic a n d inorganic chemicals, packaging films, fuels and propellants, explosives, firearms and a m m u n i tion. Pharmaceutical and biological research for Olin's Squibb Division is carried out a t T h e Squibb Institute for Medical Research in New Brunswick, N . J . Approximately 750 people are employed a t the Olin Research Center, including 600 scientists, engineers, and technicians. All areas of chemical analysis are handled b y a unified Central Analytical Services, Research, a group of 64 people. This analytical group serves the research dep a r t m e n t s of all divisions of t h e corporation a t New Haven—Chemicals, Organics, Metals, Packaging, a n d Winchester-Western. T h e group also supplies a n a l y t i cal services, generally of an investigative nature, t o various Olin plant, sales, and research personnel. The Analytical D e p a r t m e n t is composed of four main sections: wet organic, instrumental, analytical separations, and inorganic analysis. The wet organic section consists of a service group to provide d a y - t o - d a y volumetric and gravimetric analyses for operating organic chemical research groups, a n d a research group to develop methods for new chemical systems, identify by-products, a n d chemically elucidate some of the systems with which the Analytical D e p a r t ment is concerned. This section also performs fundamental research in the area of wet methods. T h e instrumental section provides service and per-
forms applied and fundamental research in t h e areas of absorption spectroscopy, X - r a y diffraction, microscopy, electroanalysis, cryoscopy, mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, a n d general instrumentation. The analytical separations section provides service and performs applied a n d fundamental research in t h e areas of distillation, gas chromatography, extraction, solution chromatography, ion exchange, and zone melting. The inorganic section services the chemical and metallurgical research laboratories with wet a n d instrumental inorganic analyses. T h e instrumental analyses i n clude spectrographic emission (including flame photomet r y ) , X - r a y fluorescence, and electroanalysis. T h e Analytical D e p a r t m e n t operates a s a n integrated unit, so t h a t the entire "analytical tool k i t " is applied to the various jobs to be done. Analytical project leaders are assigned t o each research program. These men select the analytical approaches t o be used and coordinate the results obtained from each analytical area. T h e y consult with t h e analysts a n d chemists (or engineers) involved with t h e programs, formulate conclusions as a result of these discussions, and write the final reports. Project leaders generally supervise diverse analytical areas and research analysts in various groups. The analytical work servicing the plants consists primarily of method development and trouble shooting (to explain loss of yields, drop in quality, unexpected b y products). F o r the sales departments, it consists of analysis of competitor products a n d customer service. This unified organization and use of the entire coordinated "analytical tool k i t " makes for the most conclusive results, in the shortest time, with the lowest capital and operating costs. VOL. 33, NO. 9, AUGUST 1961 · 8 5 A
Absorption spectroscopy facilities, including infrared, ultraviolet, and visible, are available to all the research departments. Calcium fluoride and cesium bromide optics are provided for specialized work. Also provided are specially constructed cells to handle reactive materials and cells to follow rapid reactions as they occur
Nuclear magnetic resonance is used in steroid and other pharmaceutical research. It is also used in the high energy fuel and organic chemical research areas. The approach yields information as to the position of protons, fluorine, and boron atoms in chemical materials
High energy fuel research utilizes mass spectrometry to elucidate structures of chemical materials under study. The instrument is also used to determine the gases contained in metal samples, the nature of welding atmospheres, and qualitative and quantitative analysis of organic chemical systems
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Viscosity measurement is a very necessary determination in any area concerned with polymers. Olin's work in cellophane, polyethylene, oil additives, polyethers, polyurethane foams, and other experimental polymers leans heavily on this approach
Gas chromatography is part of the analytical separations laboratory and is used in all areas of research. Conventional systems are used to follow organic research reactions. Programmed temperature chromatography is used to resolve systems containing both low and high boiling components. Flame ionization detectors are used where trace components are concerned
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VOL. 33, NO. 9, AUGUST 1961 · 8 7 A
