%hemist ry EDITOR: GEORGE H. MORRISON EDITORIAL HEADQUARTERS 1155 Sixteenth St.. N W. washington, D.C. 20036 Phone: 202-872-4570 Teletype: 710-8220 151 Executive Editor: Josephine M. Petruzzi Associate Editors: Stuart A. Borman, Marcia S.Vogel Assfstant Editors: Rani A. George, Louise Voress, Mary D. Warner Production Manager: Leroy L. Corcoran Art Director: Alan Kahan
Designer: Sharon Harris Wolfgang Production Editor: Gail M. Mortenson Circulation: Cynthia G. Smith Editorial Assistant, LabGuide: Joanne Mullican
Journals Dept., Columbus, Ohio Associate Head: Marianne Brogan Associate Editor: Rodney L. Temos
Advisory Board: Shier S. Berman, Brian S. Bidlingmeyer, Henry N. Blount, Gary D. Christian, Dennis H. Evans, Jack W. Frazer, Gary M. Hieftje, William R. Heineman, Harry S.Hertz, Roland F. Hirsch, Atsushi Mizuike, Melvin W. Redmond, Jr., Herbert L. Retcofsky, Martin A. Rudat, Wilhelm Simon, Charles L. Wilkins. Ex Officio: Donald D. Bly
lnstrumentatlon Advlsory Panel: Richard S. Danchik, Thomas C. Farrar, Larry R. Faulkner, John F. Holland, F. James Holler, Peter N. Keliher, Curt Reimann, D. Warren Vidrine, Andrew T. Zander Contributing Editor, AIC Interface: Raymond E. Dessy The Analytical Approach Advisory Panel: Edward C. Dunlop, Robert A. Hofstader, Wilbur D. Shults Published by the AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 1155 16th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036
Books and Journals Division Director: D. H. Michael Bowen Journals: Charles R. Bertsch Production; Elmer Pusey, Jr.
Our National Analytical Laboratory The National Bureau of Standards (NBS) occupies a special place in the lives of American analytical chemists. Although we immediately associate the bureau with its role as the provider of standard reference materials (SRMs) for the calibration of analytical instruments and the validation of new methods, the bureau plays a much larger role in servicing American science and industry in the field of measurement standards. Founded in 1901, NBS has had a long and distinguished career in advancing the science of measurement in all areas. Originally located on 56 acres of land on Connecticut Avenue in Washington, D.C., it now resides on an impressive modern campus in Gaithersburg, Md. With regard to analytical chemistry, William F. Hillebrand served as its first chief chemist from 1908 to 1925. A graduate of Cornell, he is particularly known for his methods for the analysis of silicate and carbonate rocks. Another giant in the field was G.E.F. Lundell, a Cornel1 graduate and faculty member, who served the NBS from 1917 to 1948 and was the acknowledged dean of applied analysis in the United States. Other pioneers in analytical chemistry at the bureau included E. Wichers and J. I. Hoffman. Today the Center for Analytical Chemistry a t the bureau has a staff of 154 (49% hold the PhD degree) under the leadership of Dr. Harry Hertz and performs a variety of important functions. Its mission is to serve as the nation’s reference laboratory for chemical composition measurements. Among its objectives and services are the improvement of accuracy of chemical measurements, the development of measurement methods, the certification of SRMs, and the provision of information and advice. The center consists of three divisions: inorganic analytical research, organic analytical research, and gas and particulate science. Most of the modern analytical techniques are used a t the center, and a broad base of expertise exists, so it can be thought of as our national analytical laboratory. Analytical chemists are invited to visit the laboratories in Gaithersburg when they are in the Washington area. It is a worthwhile experience, and I thoroughly enjoyed my most recent visit there a few months ago. It should also be noted that the National Research Council provides competitive postdoctoral research fellowships for young chemists to work a t NBS. This is an excellent opportunity for them to explore new areas of analytical research in a productive environment.
Research and Deveiopment: Lorrin R. Garson Manuscript requirements are published in the January 1985 issue, page 395. Manuscripts for publication (4 copies) should be submitted to ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY at the ACS Washington address. The American Chemical Society and its editors assume no responsibility for the statements and opinioris advanced by contributors. Views expressed in the editorials are those of the editors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the American Chemical Society. ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, VOL. 57, NO. 3, MARCH 1985
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