I/EC POINTING
Forecast THE E D I T O R I A L
FINGER
For the Future — Midget Computers T h e c u r r e n t trend of electronic computers to filling entire rooms m a y be reversed in the near future (page 117 A ) . A tiny new device called a cryotron m a y replace tubes a n d transistors in electronic computers. T h e device consists of a hair-thin wire w r a p p e d a r o u n d a n o t h e r straight piece of wire only 0.1 inch long. Below a certain critical t e m p e r a t u r e ( — 4 5 0 ° F.), the straight wire is superconductive. However, c u r r e n t flowing t h r o u g h the coil can control the flow of current in the straight wire. It is this control feature, says Dudley A. Buck, the inventor a n d an instructor at M I T , which could provide the switching action needed in computers. Liquid helium is used to refrigerate the cryotrons. W h e n a m o r e c o m p a c t refrigerating system is developed, computers occupying no more than 1 cubic foot of space are predicted.
Back-to-School Movement Grows D o chemists a n d chemical engineers continue the learning process after graduation? T h e y most certainly do, reports one university, a n d it looks as if the back-to-school m o v e m e n t is growing. T h e University of Wisconsin reports t h a t an unprecedented n u m b e r of scientists are taking either night or extension courses to keep u p with technological progress. I n the past year, the university reports, there was a 2 5 0 % increase in enrollment in correspondence study, a n d the university expects a sizable increase this year. O n e theory: Shortage of technical personnel encourages m a n y m e n to qualify for higher positions requiring stronger technical backgrounds.
N e w Process to M a k e Phosphoric Acid M a y M e a n Cheaper Fertilizers A new wet process makes possible the direct production of strong phosphoric acid. Fertilizer manufacturers are especially interested, because phosphoric acid is used in m a k i n g m o n o - and d i a m m o n i u m phosphates. U p until now, wet processes p r o d u c e relatively weak acid. Stronger acid is m a d e b y concentration. K e y to the process, developed by chemists at Davison Chemical Co. in Baltimore, is formation of calcium sulfate a n h y d r i t e (page 334). T h e calcium sulfate anhydrite is m o r e easily filterable t h a n the hyd r a t e d forms of calcium sulfate, making possible
AT T O M O R R O W ' S
PROGRESS
higher phosphoric acid strength. A n o t h e r reason fertilizer manufacturers are interested in cheap phosphoric acid is the belief that there will be an oversupply of a n h y d r o u s a m m o n i a in 1957. A m m o n i a is used to neutralize the phosphoric acid to either m o n o - or d i a m m o n i u m phosphates.
Color TV W i l l Give Plastics a Bigger M a r k e t A new vacuum-forming application will give plastics a big shot in the a r m . T h e doctor: color television. N B C has just bought a v a c u u m forming m a c h i n e which will use sheet plastic to produce three-dimensional scenery for T V spectaculars. A new rigid vinyl sheeting, developed by M o n s a n t o , is being used. T h e plastic is supplied in rolls u p to 75 inches wide. T h e machine can turn out units measuring u p to 6 feet wide a n d 12 feet long. In operation, the plastic is placed in position over a mold, heated, a n d then d r a w n down over the mold. A v a c u u m box under the mold pulls the heated plastic around the mold until it conforms to the mold shape. Says one N B C executive: " T h i s is one of television's most significant developments."
Boron Going Places O n e of the hottest fields of future commercial chemical development lies in the field of boron chemistry. Boron, emerging from the past like some long-forgotten genie, has finally been taken in tow by research. T h e results are impressive. O n page 322, G o r d o n Bixler, Associate Editor, a n d Dwight Sawyer, American Potash a n d Chemical Corp., trace the history of boron chemistry a n d show what's in store for the amazing new boron chemicals produced by research. A m e r i c a n Potash a n d Chemical has come u p with a variety of organoborons expected to find extensive use in the petroleum, plastics, glass, and other industries. Most promising to d a t e : methyl borate a n d isopropyl borate. Callery Chemical Co., also in high gear on boron chemicals development, is getting ready to market a complete line of new boron compounds, including borohydrides, alkyl borates, boron hydrides, a n d amine-boranes. Callery's new boron chemicals are expected to find uses as selective reducing agents, polymerization catalysts, and extinguishing agents for metal fires. VOL. 49, NO. 3
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MARCH 1957
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