SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY CONCENTRATES Science Oral narcotics antagonist approved An oral, nonaddictive narcotics antagonist that may help addicts remain off narcotics has been approved by FDA for marketing. The compound, naltrexone, is intended for addicts who have been withdrawn from opiates and who are in rehabilitation programs. Du Pont, which developed the agent, will begin supplying it this month under the tradename Trexan. The compound is N-cyclopropylmethylnoroxymorphone. Thus, it is structurally similar to the N-allyl derivative, naloxone, which Du Pont also sells but which is an injectable drug for emergency reversal of narcotic depression and for diagnosis of suspected opiate overdose. According to Hazen L. Richardson, Du Pont vice president for pharmaceuticals, Trexan differs from other therapies, such as methadone, because it enables the detoxified addict to remain narcotic-free rather than replacing one addiction with another, as is the case with methadone therapy.
Monsanto fellow and project leader for liquid separations research at the company's central research laboratories. When coupled to the computerized system, these fibers should provide a more controlled environment, she says.
Engineering meeting paper index published Book and microfilm versions of a seven-volume index to 100,000 papers given at 2000 engineering meetings worldwide will be published early in 1985 by Engineering Information, New York City. The period covered by this first print version of El's on-line database is July 1983 to June 1984. The set will sell for $595 before Jan. 31, 1985, and for $695 thereafter. Six books organized by engineering disciplines are each indexed by author name or affiliation, subject, sponsoring organization, meeting title, and conference code/conference book. The seventh book is a cumulative index.
Better communication on materials use
Technology "Hundred-year" color print paper Konica U.SA., Englewood Cliffs, N.J., has introduced a photographic color print paper with improved dye couplers whose color quality is claimed to endure for 100 years at 75 °F, 60% relative humidity, and ordinary lighting conditions. Priced the same as conventional papers, the new paper uses standard developing chemistry and is compatible with high-speed, computerized printers. The company used accelerated aging at 140 to 185 °F and an Arrhenius plot (log of time versus 1/T) to extrapolate to the 100-year time for loss of 30% or less of original reflectance densities for cyan, magenta, and yellow dyes. Initial marketing will be to laboratories serving school, portrait, wedding, and other professional photographers.
Biotechnology equipment agreement A technical collaboration agreement has been reached between Queue Systems, Parkersburg, W.Va., and Monsanto to develop bioreactor and bioseparations equipment. The products will combine Monsanto's proprietary membranes and separations technology and Queue Systems' computerized fermentation/cell culture systems. Preliminary plans designate Queue as being responsible for product introduction. Each company will retain its proprietary technology. An early target will be a perfusion bioreactor that will be used for studying and improving efficiency of cell culture and recovery of cell products. It will consist of cartridges containing Monsanto's hollow fiber membranes coupled directly with Queue's fermentation system. The fibers act essentially like permeable pipes that deliver nutrients to the cells and carry away cell products, according to Maiy K. Tripodi, U
December 10,1984 CAEN
A Council for Professional Interest has been formed by the American Society for Metals to improve communication among industry, management, academia, and government concerning effective use of materials. According to ASM managing director Edward L. Langer, the council basically will concern itself with issues relating to materials engineering. It will act as an initiator and coordinator when other organizations are better suited to carry out action programs. The council will have three constituent committees. A government and public affairs committee will provide mechanisms for establishing relationships among technical societies and with appropriate public, private, and independent bodies, and will identify studies on issues that would benefit the technical community, society, and the formation of public policy. There will also be a committee for student affairs and one for education affairs.
Wind tunnel can test airborne hazards A newly designed toxic /hazardous aerosol exposure facility has been built at the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest Laboratory, operated by Battelle. Called a one-of-a-kind "wind tunnel" by Battelle, the facility is designed for testing the effects of potentially toxic or hazardous airborne material. For example, it can be used in acid rain studies to test particle deposition on plants, or it can be used to check toxic chemical alarm systems and the environmental factors that affect their performance. One of the tunnel's biggest advantages is that it can eliminate the need to conduct tests in the environment, says Battelle scientist Peter Van Voris. Constructed of stainless steel, the facility has an experimentation volume of 2 X 2 X 24 feet that can be expanded if needed. A broad range of environmental conditions, including humidity, temperature, wind speed, and on-line chemistry gas monitoring, can be controlled.
