December 25, 1941
NEWS
capable of operation a t extreme pressures. Improved techniques with optical windows have been achieved, making possible further studies of spectral shifts. HIGH-SPEED PHOTOGRAPY.
Initiated
in 1938 with t h e development of a new technique giving exposures shorter than a microsecond, this program has constantly expanded into various related procedures. Both still and motion pictures at high speed are finding applications of value in c^uTent industrial research projects, and the parallel unsponsored work is a continuing program of refinement of t h e special equipment needed in this branch of photography. Virtually every new subject t o be photographed a t extreme speed is a special problem, and several new camera arrangements have resulted from these studies. S O U N D RECORDING.
The
fundamental
study for the improvement of soundrecording apparatus and techniques, initiated during the previous year, still continues under the sponsorship of the R e search Foundation. T h e work of the first year resulted in the development of an extremely compact unit weighing only 2 0 pounds and capable of making an uninterrupted recording as long as 4 hours. This unit makes its record on a very fine steel wire. The studies of the past year have brought about refinements of this principle giving remarkable fidelity of reproduction and greater simplicity of construction. W I N D TUNNEL.
A program under way
is t h e building of a wind tunnel with a throat area of approximately 10 square feet. With the proposed design it will b e possible to have velocities higher than 150 miles per hour. T h e tunnel will be of the closed type, with an over-all length of 2 7 feet and over-all height of 12 feet. T h e unit is to b e used for fundamental studies in aerodynamic problems. X - R A Y DIFFRACTION.
T h e x-ray dif-
fraction study of the particle sizes of catalysts and t h e relation of behavior to particle size has been continued during 1941. This fundamental research program i n cludes constant improvement of apparatus and methods. T h e x-ray diffraction laboratory is shortly to b e moved into new quarters for the expansion of this work.
Research Staff Research Foundation activities are classified into four broad sections: Chemical Engineering, with M . H . Heeren a s chairman; Experimental Engineering, under t h e guidance of F . W. Godwin, assistant director of the foundation; Metallurgy, under R. G. Spencer; and Physics, with G. E. Ziegler a s chairman. General coordination of scientific work is effected through T. C. Poulter, the foundation's scientific director. Since September 1940, t h e following new staff members have been added: L. E . Anderson, W. J. Armstrong, N . A. Bartly, Richard Belkengren, R. C. Bour, Vernon Carr, C. N . Challacombe, Frank Chancellor, C. A . Coffey, J. R. Coffman, Earle Couden, W . C. Cress, C. O. Dohrenwend, W. H . Earhart, William Eason, James Fitzgerald, Marvin Frady, Carl Gamertsfelder, Ardelle Glaze, C. J. Gorsky, J. S. Griffith, W . M . Hammond, Frank Hurney, Harry Kimlick, E . W . Landen, Thomas Langan, C . W . Leaf, Joseph Lepic, Rene Mathis, W. R . Mehaffey, William Meloy, Clarence Mit-
EDITION
chell, K. W. Moore, W . L. Ott, N . C. Penfold, William Perleberg, R. G. Spencer, George Stern, C. E . Thorp, F. H . Trimble, S. M . Walas, H . L. W^tzstein, Hugh Wilson, C. W. Wolmer, H. B . Yeun, and Lewis Zwissler. Additions t o the maintenance and service departments include: R o y Carlson, Reno Casanova, R . B. Cremin, George Evans, Leo Franck, Laurent Perrin, Frank Lawson, Albert Payne, Aaron Sjolin, Fred Shubert, Frank Uskali, Ethël B resin, Josephine Chase, Margaret Garver, Alice McCarthy, Lucille Paulsen, Gladys Schumacher, and Sam Denkoski. ©^©
C. S. Wants Representatives for Apprenticeship Program A PARTIAL answer to the grave problem " ^ of a diminishing labor supply of skilled workers for national defense is the apprenticeship program. T h e Apprenticeship Section, Division of Labor Standards, Department of Labor, will appoint about 200 field representatives t o be stationed throughout the country. T o fill these positions, which pay from $2,600 to $4,600 a year, t h e Civil Service Commission lias announced an examination in which applicants will be rated on the extent and quality of their experience only. In cooperation with union, industrial, and government officials, field representatives promote programs on training men and women for industrial work and on establishing adequate labor standards t o protect apprentices. Applications must be filed not later than January 12 with t h e U . S. Civil Service Commission, Washington, D . C. Information a n d application forms m a y be obtained a t any first- or second-class post office or from t h e Washington Civil Service office.
C. S. Needs Chemists, Engineers, Physicists H P o MEET increasing needs for scientifically trained m e n and women, the Federal Civil Service Commission has reannounced, with modified requirements, three of i t s examinations for scientists—for physicist, explosives chemist, and chemical engineer positions, with salaries in each field ranging from $2,600 t o $5,600 a year. Appropriate college study and experience are required. I n chemical engineering t h e commission has adequate employment lists in some branches. There is a shortage of qualified people in plant layout, equipment design, market analysis, chemical economics, heavy chemicals, plastics, rubber, agricultural by-products, and strategic minerals. Applicants m a y substitute college teaching i n chemical engineering o r chemistry for part of t h e prescribed experience. Over 100 explosives chemists are needed.
1471 In $n'is examination t h e term "explosives chemistry" i s interpreted to mean reseat ch, developmental, or production work on explosives, or materials which require for their preparation and handling, methods, techniques, and precautionary measures similar t o those used for explosives. T h e "recency" clauses in the former announcements have been modified, and an applicant's experience may therefore have been gained at any time. For all these examinations the age limit has been raised to 60 years, for regular probations! appointment. Provision is made for the waiver of age and physical requirements for temporary positions connected with the defense program. Announcements and application forms m a y be obtained a t any first- or second-class post office or from the Civil Service Commission, Washington, D . C. Applications may be filed until further notice, but qualified persons are urged to apply a t once.
National Science Fund Enlists Support of Scientists T P H E National Science Fund, 515 Madison Ave., New York, created last spring b y t h e National Academy of Sciences as a clearinghouse of advice and information on philanthropy in science, requests help in making its purposes more widely known. Pointing out that success of t h e plan for aiding fundamental research in science depends upon bringing it to t h e attention of those who might support it, William J. Robbine, chairman of the fund, asks chemists t o cooperate in this general undertaking. "Recent surveys show clearly that since the early 1930's financial support of fundamental scientific research has been decreasing", D r . Robbins declared. "As one means of helping t o meet the urgent need for additional funds t o support science, the National Science Fund was established. The fund offers prospective donors t o science a thoroughly competent advisory body to help them make their gifts effective, and will arrange for the administration of large or small gifts for scientific research. T h e National Science Fund does not carry on any research of its own, but acts through existing organizations and individuals engaged in research.'1 T h e fund is controlled by a joint Board of Directors, composed of 21 scientists designated from the membership of the National Academy of Sciences, and 12 distinguished laymen. Among the scientists who are directors are three members of t h e
AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY—
Roger Adams, James B . Conant, and Irving Langmuir. George S. Baldry of Winnipeg has been appointed a fellow in public health a t the University of Toronto and is taking a postgraduate medical course in public health.
