Financing Modern Instrumentation in Academic Institutions \\
OliD reaches us that the Panel on the Xation’y Potential (for research) has been dissolved f 01 Iwh of funds. The panel was organized under the bpoii-orqhip of the Office of Xaval Research and its modr-t cxpenditures were provided for out of nax-y fund$ The original intent of the panel was to condurt ;1 comprehensive survej7 of the nation’s research absets i n the physical sciences and to determine n-hat further I\ ah needed to maintain present leadership Two preliminary surveys were conducted in an attempt t o find out just \ h a t facilities and personnel were available in the colleges and universities for fundamental research in chemistry. At this point the decision \vas reached that it was inappropriate for any governmerit agency to furnish funds for the type of activity the panel came to believe it should undertake. An attempt to raise funds from private sources to permit further study under the sponsorship of the National Rescarch Council failed. The demise of the panel i:, moat unfortunate, for it was expected that the surveys caonducted under its auspices would show how funds provided hjVa National Research Foundation could be used most effectively in support of fundamental chemi(ha1 research. *It least, the preliminary surveys indicated how poorly cquippcd colleges and universities are in modern research instruments, confirming, of course, a situation ne11 knon-n to educators. This condition is of special roiicern to those interested in the future development of analytical chemistry and particularly instrumental nnal\-:,is. Private industry can finance the purchase of expensive in3truments now essential for fundamental and applied research in analytical chemistry. Indeed, it has found from a strictly financial viewpoint that such expenditures lead to further economies. The colleges and universities, on the other hand, are finding it very difficult to secure adequate funds for the purchase of such equipment. In the course of a year we visit many university laboratories where our future analysts are being trained. In many instances we find that the equipment araila1)lc i v a q purchased in the thirties and is not in very 20 5
good condition. Universities were unable to puichase more modern equipment in adequate quantity chuiiig the ivar years, and now the cost frequently iprohibitive. The practical effect of this condition is indicated by figures recently disclosed in a private communication from 31. R. Fenske of the Pennsylvania State College. In 1931, universities supplied 557c, government agencies ZO%, and industry 25% of the papers published in the .~SALYTICAL EDITIOS of INDUSTRIAL ~ S DEKGISEERIKG CHEMISTRY.However, in 1949, universities provided 40y0 of the published manuscripts in ASALYTICAL C H E i w s r R T , government agencies 2070, and industry 40%. These figures are not complete1)- conclusive, for the over-all volume of research reported in 1949 is much greater than in 1931, but they do indicate a trend. Advances in applied research in instrumental analysis depend upon continuing advances in fundamental knowledge. It is but natural that we look to the colleges and universities t o supply a large share of the exploratory work into physical and chemical phenomena. They will not be in a position t o do so if funds are not made available to them for the purchase of necessary instrumentation. Where is the needed financial support to come from? We believe the colleges and universities would prefer to receive financial aid from private sources, but for reasons that are well k n o m and need not be elaborated upon, the likelihood of obtaining aid from these directions becomes more and more remote under existing tax laws. Even institutions supported by state funds experience difficulties in obtaining money for scientific instruments. Legislatures will provide funds for buildings, but onlp infrequently are they convinced that sizable sums should be spent on equipment which seems to them to be little more than expensive gadgets. If financial support cannot be obtained from private sources, the alternative is the Federal Government. Despite recognized dangers, many of our outstanding educators look to the early establishment of a Kational Science Foundation R S the only way out of the present dile m ma.
