Management of Research A Series of Articles Corisideririg the Functions of Laboratory Organization and the Coordination of Laboratory and Plan1 Effort
Coordination of' 1.abor.a tory and Plant Effort correlated and related t,o their structure :urd composition I n general, the work of such a rewide v a r i e t y o f t e c h n i c a l l y search laboratory may be classified BF trained employees itnd of skilled labor, fiindamental research and applied r e involves all the administrative qnestivns search. It will almost certainly develop which are legitimately part of tlie operain time that tlirre is a necessity for a tion of a manufactnring plant, together limited amount of fundamental research with, and in addition t,o, many special work in pnre science. This condition, problems of managenlent involved in when it arises, should be recognized, and the liannonions and coiirdinated effort of &table equipment. and personnel, tott corps of diversified h i g h l y - t r a i n e d gether with proper working conditions, specialists. There are, tu mention a few provided to facilitate t,his type of work. examples, such problems as the provision With only this passing inention of the of adequate laboratory facilities and a very important subject of fundamental corps of specialists in the trades, aud researeh in the industrial laboratory, probably, of an iutelligence division to let us turn to a consideration of the apmsist in t.he investigation of the technical plied research. In c o n n e c t i o n with and patent literature, in the abstracting the applied research there are control and cross-indexing of t.lie progress, analyses and analytical research, the monthly, and final reports of the relaboratory development, the semiworks searchorganisation ittiell, and,in general, (;. 31. r\. STINB and pilot-plant studies, and the literat h p provision of the necessary facilities tine and patents investigations, for making immediately available the Cunuected with the aiialytieal research work, as well as accumulated results of scientitic work. It is uhvious that tlie proper handling of a large research laboratory will, therefore, with the semiworks or piIot-plant act.ivities of the laboratory, call for a high order of executive ability which is advan- is the very important work involved in tlie development of tageonsly coupled with a t,horough training in the met,hods of suitable reactions for works control, in order that mannrcbntifir research. facturine onerations mav be intellizentlv followed. steuwipe.
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HE larger research l a b o r a t o r y employing, as it always does, a
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t h e c o n d u c t dr resear& along chemical lines lias a number of closely related functions and responsibilitics. T h e f u n d a mental responsibility uf the research laboratory is the development of new processes and products, and the investigation and development of new reactions, together wit11 t h e s t u d y of t h e physical and chemical properties of i n d u s trial products, with a view to a n u n d e r standing of the fundamental s t r u c t u r e of these products in order t h a t their p r o p e r t i e s rnay be
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In connection with the analytical chemical work, there ma? verv well be a considirable amount or work upori check analyses, hi^‘111 serye as u m p i r e samples to s t a n d a r d i z e the rnetlrods and results of the various analytical laboratories of a cornpany. Ilowever, it is clearlyrecognized t h a t m o s t of t h e routine a n a l y t ical work of a company is performed outside of the research lahoradory i n suitab1.v 1oca t c d laboratories which are d e s i g n e d for the purpose they s e r v e . There is, in addition to this type of analytical work, a certain Of reEXPERIMENT STATION, E. I. DU PDNTDE NEMoUHs R. Co., WILMINETON. DEL search vork looking 191
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I N D U S T R I A L A N D E N G I N E E R 1 N G C H E il.i I S T R Y
to the development of new niethods of analysis aud to the development of methods for the analysis of new products t)roduced in the research laboratorv.
NECESSITY OF COOPERATION BETWEEN C H E ~ U A I M~ I
Vol. 24, No. 2
wlio will subsequently Le responsible for the successful conduct of the manufacturing operations, familiarize this skeleton nroduction crew with the omration. and then turn over the operation of the semiworks pl& to this skeleton oroduction crew for a neriod of time. When the fnU-male
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amount of c o n t a c t IhIPoRTANCE OF G O with t h e c h e m i c a l OPERATION OP' WELLe n g i n e e r s who will ?'ltAlkED &lYSlCISTS subsequently assist in the design and operaIn connection with tion of the pilot plant, the technical research in order that the procof a large chemical^ css may be studied research laboratory, upon a s e m i w o r k s it is invariably profitscale. This contact able to associate with should be with a view the research chemists to developing practiand c h e m i c a l engiea1 questions involved n e e r s s o m e wellin the s u b s e q u e n t t r a i n e d physicists. manufacturing operaThese physicists are t i o n s contemplated, men who have carried such as the selection on physical research of materials of conand have d o c t o r ' s struction, design and d e g r e e s in physics. arrangement of apIt is also interesting paratus, simplicity of to m e n t i o n i n t h i s plant, and ease of conc o n n e c t i o n , while trol. I t is frequent.lv speaking of the varipossible to modify ous types of special TmimcaL LABORATORY AT DYEWoRHs OF E. I. DU Pow DE N~nrouns stens. or there niav & Co.. WEI-DITNGTON, DEI.. personnel whicli have even l e an a1ternativ"e proven their value in choice of comnlete reactions for tlic research chemist enxaged in B large chemical-research laboratory, that, if the laboratory the developmkt of a product or process, so that it is we5 f i r the is fortunate enough to pick up a chemical engineer or physicist chemical engineer, as well as for the research chemist, to con- with a special genius for mathematics, there is plenty of sider the process in the early stages of development. opportunity for him to exercise his penchant for mathematical In the case of the chemical developments of larger com- insestigationa. panies, it has frequently been found profitable to erect a type IIMPVRTANCE OB INVEsTIGATIoN OB N E W T V O L s of semiworks building very similar to the cliemical~iigiiieering facilities provided for the study of unit processes in some of Experience has shown that it is quite indispensable for the better-equipped technical schools and universities. These buildings consist of a somewhat tentlike structure of structural chemical-research laboratory, of the type under discussion, steel within which the apparatus is set up with a view to the to investigate any new tools which pure science may have developmcnt of various processes of manufacture, involving developed for the study of the constitution and properties of the shifting of equipment from place to place and the inter- matter. In connection with the investigation of the physical changing of various types of operations and equipment from properties of finished materials, the actual structure of the more or less complex material8 is unavoidably a matter of basic t.ime to time. This involves the support of the various nuits of equipment from the floor, rather than hanging the eqnip- interest in an effort to comelate properties with structure and composition. An investigation of this type will, therefore, ment upon the walls of the building. involve the use of such tools as the x-ray, perhaps the ultraIt has frequently been found expedient to have a well- centrifuge, and other types of physical apparatus for the trained and experienced chemical engineer in charge of study and determination of such properties as hardness, chemical operations of this type. He will provide himself flexibility, distensibility, tensile strength, covering power, with chemists and engineers suitable for carrying on various hiding power, drying, wetting, and solubilities; the compositypes of semiworks operations and will, in time, accumulate tions of matter known as colloid, solid and liquid solutions, arid a wide range of experience quite invaluable in the rcduetion dispersion; and the various operations of solidification, to practice of new processes. polymerization, sublimation, crystallization, etc. This type of semiworks organization can, with much profit, assist the research chemist in the early stagcs of the developIMPORTANCE OB EMPLOYMENT OF SPECIALISTS ment of a new product or process. If the research chemist accompanies his process into the semiworks dcvelopment, as This, of course, leads to the necessity for the employment is almost invariably the case, much time and money are of specialists. If the work of the laboratory is not of sufficient saved by having available an experienced crew of semiworks volume to justify the purchase of the full time of specialists, operators. a t least the necessity for the attention of a specialist to certain When the process has brcn reduced to it smooth operation types of laboratory problems should be recognized, and there upon a semiworks scale, and preparatory to the design of a should be no hesitancy to make available to the laboratory the full-scale plant, it is expedient arid profit,ahl~to call in the necessary specialized t.raining and experience. The mis-
February, 1932
INDUSTRIAL A N D ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
conceived desire of younger and inexperienced chemists to be wholly self-sufficient in dealing with problems beyond the range of their experience and training, while it may frequently flow from an entirely laudable desire to know all about a problem. qhould be properly directed and regulated. It is as
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pernicious in its results as the attitude of the specialist in the university laboratory who recognizes no interest and no virtue in any type of work save that in his specialty. RECEIVED July 28, 1931.
Preparatory Stage of Research M. L. CROSSLEY,The Calco Chemical Co., Bound Brook, N . J . EFORE starting research, it is essential to have as complete a picture as possible of what it is desired to accomplish, of the obstacles likely to be encountered, and the likelihood that the results obtained will be worth while. Each research problem must be analyzed and its elements carefully evaluated. In so far as possible the problem must be considered in its relationship t o other similar problems in order to know its comparative importance. A too limited view of the problem is often the main contributing cause of failure to obtain anything worth the effort put into the investigation. The preliminary consideration of the problem will vary in accordance with the nature of the work. In certain cases the results of the analysis of the problem will suggest a limited amount of exploratory experimentation to permit the formulation of the research problem and to indicate if further expense is justified for the preparation of the data essential to a decision as to whether or not the research is worth undertaking. I n other cases research problems are definite enough to permit a decision, and no preliminary investigation is necessary for the formulation of the plan of attack. I n some cases it may not be possible to complete the analysis of the problem until literature, patent, and economic surveys have been made, Generally the expense for such work should not be incurred until an analysis of the problem indicates that the research is worth doing. The preliminary analysis of the problem made, the next step is to secure all the available information that might help in planning the research. The search for data bearing on the problem should be done thoroughly and should include the chemical literature, patents, and trade journals. It should be broad in scope; otherwise much useful information will be missed and considerable unnecessary laboratory investigation conducted. It is not enough to find out that a solution to the specific problem has or has not been published. A satisfactory survey should produce all the information that might help to guide the research t o a successful conclusion or might lead to a decision on the plan of attack with greater certainty. After obtaining the available information, it is essential t o correlate it and try to understand its significance. Reported failures to secure results do not always mean that the research contemplated should be abandoned. I n evaluating the data it is essential to try to see the viewpoint of the previous investigators and t o find out, if possible, to what degree the results were limited by the scope of their investigations. All information that is relevant to the problem, whether positive or negative, should be included in the evaluation.
ECONOMIC FACTORS As early as possible in the preparatory stage of research the economic factors should be considered. In the consideration of the economic side of research, common sense must dictate what course to pursue. It is obvious that research should not be undertaken if the available evidence indicates that the
result to be expected will not be worth the cost of the effort to obtain it, In any event, the research director must strive to estimate both the cost of the work contemplated and the value of the results to be expected. In the estimate of the potential value of the research there must be taken into consideration more than the direct earning power of the knowledge to be secured. The results may have no direct application and yet be very valuable. They may add to the fundamental facts essential to a better understanding of what is now being done, or suggest a better way of securing the same results now obtained and thus contribute much to the present earning capacity of the processes in operation. Also, such fundamental knowledge may open up new paths of research that will accelerate progress and benefit humanity. The criterion of value in the ultimate must be the degree to which the research adds to the fulfilment of life. That research is costly, no one can deny. The important question is, does it pay? This is the question that must always confront both the directors and the investigators in research, and together they must see that everything possible is done to minimize the work that does not pay and to learn to choose more and more wisely the investigations that are likely to be worth while. In seeking to determine if a research is worth while, it must be estimated what effect its successful outcome will have on what we already know and have. If it is likely to add to the sum of knowledge; if it may improve what we now have or create something better than we have to fill an existing need; if it results in the production of new things to fill new demands; if it gives insurance that the efficiencies of the present are all that are to be expected: then the cost is justifiable and ultimately it must pay. This is not only true of industrial research, but also applies to pure research. Of course, the problem is more acute in industrial research, but waste in research is tragic wherever it occurs. There are no infallible means of knowing what research will be successful. The best that can be done is to consider all the factors in each case and then use one’s best judgment. The results will be good or bad, depending upon one’s range of vision and capacity to understand and interpret the data he has. In the preparatory stage of industrial research nothing is more important than a market survey to ascertain the needs that exist and how well they are met by the products now available. No desirable end is accomplished by merely substituting a new product for an old one. In fact, much harm might be done and capital endangered or destroyed. To justify itself the new product must possess some advantage: it must be cheaper; or it must give better service in satisfying a demand not adequately fulfilled; or it must create a new demand which will not conflict with existing demands; or it must enhance the service of existing products, making them more efficient than they now are; or it must make possible new processes which will result in increased efficiencies and lower costs of production.
