Research Progress at Midwest Research Institute

I n i t s t w o y e a r s o f e x i s t e n c e t h e M i d w e s t R e s e a r c h I n s t i t u t e h a s c o m p l e t e d 2 9 m a j o r p r o j e c t s a n d m a n y s h o r t - t i m e a s s i g n m e n t s a n d i s c u r r e n t l y e n g a g e d i n 3 0 o t h e r s . . . R e g i o n a l p r o j e c t s a n d p u b l i c s e r v i c e s — a d v i s o r y , g u i d a n c e , a n d e d u c a t i o n a l — h a v e b e e n d i r e c t e d t o w a r d t h e b e s t d e v e l o p m e n t o f m i d w e s t e r n n a t u r a l r e s o u r c e s

JL HB Midwest Research Institute re­cently completed its first two years of operation. The program in the second year substantially advanced its two major objectives, functioning as a research in­stitute serving the industries of America and as a regional research laboratory working.for the development of the na­tural resources of mid-America.

The institute is a completely independ­ent nonprofit scientific institution with research sections in agricultural chem­istry, organic chemistry, inorganic chem­istry, physics, and engineering mechanics.

Since the beginning of operation in January of 1945, 59 major research proj­ects have been undertaken. These in­volve investigations on airplane wing design, ammonium nitrate coatings, am­munition, beverages, bottle closures, bottle decorating machines, breakfast food cer­eals, cellulose products, ceramic slags, cleaning compounds, coal uses, coffee, communications equipment, condiments, dehydration of forage crops, deodorants, Diesel fuels, dough panning machine, fermentation chemicals, fertilizer coat­ings, film forming compounds, flour con­ditioning, fungicides, germicides, gas-oil burners, glass fiber products, such as mats and primers, grain sorghum products, gravi-tome'ter, hot water heater tanks, house­hold products, housing insulation, im­pact on plates, inert gases production, inks, knitting machine, magnetic paper tape sound recorders, magnetic wire sound recorders, microbiological culture methods, molded plywood furniture, natural gas reactions, natural resources of· Missouri River Basin, natural resources of Okla­homa, nonfuel uses of natural gas, oil well logging, oil well drill pipe inspection, parking meters, plastics utilization, pot­ash, protein derivatives, secondary alumi­num, soybean oil, tar resins, vitamins, vitrified clay, weighing devices, and sev­eral confidential subjects.

At the close of the first year of opera­tion, 10 of these projects had been com­pleted and in the past year 19 were con­cluded, leaving 30 major projects actively under way at this time. In addition, 83 short-time i&vestigations were under­taken and advisory services rendered.

Announceable progress on research proj­ects sponsored by industry is as follows:

Agricultural Chemistry Section Beverage. The research program for a

beverage manufacturer is well into its second year. The study is concerned with a fundamental investigation of the factors responsible for flavor, the effect of bottling and packaging under various conditions, and shelf life.

New processing principles have been developed and laboratory applications made. A sample market survey has been conducted to determine preference ratings for certain flavor characteristics as found in representative products manufactured in the United States. The results of this survey show a wide variation between testers in flavor characterization, on both identical and dissimilar samples of bever­age.

Breakfast cereals. A research pro­gram sponsored by the Albers Milling Division of Carnation Co. has been in progress for about two years. Concen­trated attention has been given t o the development of a novel process not now in use in the cereal industry. This proc­ess has been operated successfully in the laboratory and: plans are in the making to apply this on a pilot-plant scale. Ex­periments have also been conducted on the factors affecting shelf life of cereal prod­ucts and on methods for eliminating or controlling deterioration of products under various conditions of temperature and humidity. Advantage» has been taken of the biochemical makeup of grains and the fractions of grain that bear directly on keeping quality of the product.

Dehydration of forage crops. Under the sponsorship of the W. J. Small Co. a project has been carried out on the factors involved in producing high quality de­hydrated alfalfa meal. A comprehensive literature survey of the subject was as­sembled and se t up on a card index sys­tem. Research was conducted on the

manufacture of dehydrated alfalfa meal and storage studies were made on the product.

Deodorants. A test program is in prog­ress for the Skinner Manufacturing Co., Omaha, Neb., on their deodorant product, Nil. A new method has been developed for quantitative testing of odors. In many cases it has been demonstrated that " N i r reacts chemically with odoriferous com­pounds to effect decomposition and de-odorization.

Flour conditioning. A research pro­gram sponsored b y the C. J. Patterson Co. ha** recently been initiated. The broad objectives of the work are to in­vestigate fundamental chemical relation­ships and chemical changes that take place during the baking process and to study means of modifying and controlling these changes by various methods. A number of new techniques are being de­veloped which are applicable not only to flour but to many other products.

Fungicides. Under the sponsorship) of the Standard Oil Co. (Ind.), the project on the development of agricultural fungi­cides is entering the third year. The object of this work is to develop new techniques for controlling brown rot, apple scab, and similar diseases of apples, pears, peaches, and other orchard fruits. Special emphasis has been given to corre­lating laboratory results with greenhouse and orchard experience. The following tabulation shows the type of correlation obtained:

Hating Fungicide

A Β C D Ε F G H

Laboratory 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Fiel 1 β 4 2 3 5 7 8

Although the correlation is not perfect, it indicates that the laboratory method is -generally useful in predicting field re­sults. The difference between the fungi­cidal activity of the first six compounds was not large. However, the difference

The light area on the left uvas treated with calcium chloride-road oil; the dark on the right, with Dustrol. The effect of erosion on an untreated area can be seen between the two treated strips

^...i&CL'^ Cit^

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between the activity of these compounds and^ the last two was quite pronounced. An important characteristic of a fungicide which has received attention is its phyto-toxicity and rain resistance.

Germicides. A research program on household germicides in aerosol form is under way for Airosol, Inc. Working closely with the company's research de­partment, many formulations were de­veloped and tested both for air and sur­face sterilization. One was found which was especially effective against E. coli, B. subtilis, and S. aureus. The product is now on the market under the trade name of Sterel. The composition used in this bomb is as follows: dipropylene glycol, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, iso-

Çropy I alcohol, mineral oil, and Freon. 'he effectiveness of one of the bombs de­

veloped during the program for air and surface disinfection is shown by the data in Tables I and II.

Grain sorghum products. The project sponsored by Corn Products Refining Co. is entering its third year at an accelerated rate. The laboratory program is con­cerned with basic studies on starch, fat and wax, and protein in relation to variety and to processing and milling. This pro­gram is coordinated with field production of the crop through fellowships in plant breeding at Kansas, Oklahoma. Texas, and Nebraska state agricultural experi-

Martin Schuler conducts vita­min determination with Evelyn photoelectric colorimeter

A. D. Bemeking produces fine glass fibers from crucible

ment stations. These agencies not only are developing new and interesting varie­ties of grain sorghum but they also supply the laboratory with better varieties for characterization. In connection with starch studies, some differences have been found between varieties that indicate a variation in pasting properties of the starch as shown b y the typical curves in charts 1 and 2.

The laboratory also works closely with the company's research and production departments, especially when they process sorghum experimentally. Many proc­essing problems were encountered in the experimental plant scale runs and these are being studied further in the laboratory.

A.s a result of the combined efforts of the company's production and research divi­sions and the institute's research pro­gram, construction has been started on a $12 million plant for the large scale proc­essing of sorghum.

Soybean oil. A research program has been started during the year for the Kan­sas Research and Management Corp. on n e w uses for soybean oil in fopd products. The main part of the work has been spent on studying the basic chemical reactions of soybean oil and in storage studies on products from this oil. A new method of refining the oil to render it more suitable for food purposes is under study. A com­plete literature study has been made and assembled on many phases of the general soybean oil problem.

inorganic Chemistry Section

Ceramic slags. An investigation of certain specific clays in Nebraska was undertaken. Principally, the study in­volves the industrial possibilities of the great deposits of loess which are to be found along the Missouri River. These tremendous deposits of wind-blown ma­terial possess characteristics which make it desirable for certain types of fired ce­ramics in the building field.

Cleaning compounds. Special purpose cleaning compounds for the removal of varnish, gum, and carbon from engine parts and for the cleaning of nonferrous metals, windows, and furniture were suc­cessfully devised using the newer deter­gents and wetting agents.

Fertilizer coatings. In the first annual report [CHBM. E N G . N E W S , 24, 1183 (1946)1 new methods of approaching the problem of coating ammonium nitrate to reduce the problem brought about by hygroscopic conditions were reported. This project, sponsored by Spencer Chemical Co., successor to Military Chem­ical Works, Inc., has continued through the year. Work has related primarily to production problems and a number of production samples were subjected to test­ing procedures established during the pre­vious year.

Glass fiber products. On a project sponsored b y the Gustin-Bacon Manu­facturing Co. of Kansas City, Mo., the institute undertook an extensive pro­gram having to do with the development of improved means for the processing of glass fibers and also as to the effect of the glass composition on the performance of glass fibers in the various fields of use. Considerable effort has also been ex­pended in investigating methods of col­lecting and treating glass fibers so as to improve their performance characteristics. Pilot-plant operations were substantially expanded during the year and quantity production was made of a variety of types and sizes of fibers.

Natural gas reactions. A study of the procedures utilized in sweetening sour gas was completed during the year. Tnis

Tab le I. R e d u c t i o n o f Bacteria iin Air b y Spraying w i t h Germicide

Organism E. coli

S. aureus

Time Interval

after Introduc­

tion of Spray

(Minutes) 0 2 4 6 8

If 0 2 4 6 8

12 16

Colon.!es on Colonies on Exp>eri-

Control mental Agar Agar Plate Plates 7.190 6,600 4.910 1,660 2,054 0 1.028 4

726 1 358 0

9.900 9,990 6.190 0 4.860 8 6 5 3.148 8 4 9 2.334 4 7 1 1,526 2 5 4 1,113 191

project had considerable interest t o gas technologists and resulted in the revelation of new facts which should affect future de­sign of equipment for this purpose.

Natural resources of trie Missouri Hiver Basin. "Survey and Scientific Analysis of Potentialities of Major Natural Re­sources in the Missouri River Basin*' for the Army Engineer Corps, Omaha District, was completed during the year. The project is of great importance t o the region since it afforded an opportunity t o investigate the industrial possibilities of the area, both developed and undevel­oped. The region was explored through literature searches and field studies from the viewpoint of agriculture, minerals, petroleum, natural gas, fuels, and indus­try. Frequently resources were appraised in the field and laboratory·

The Missouri River Basin is a vast storehouse of nonmetallic minerals such as clay, bentonite, gypsum, and volcanic ash, and the solid and liquid fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas. The area immediately surrounding the basin i s ina-portant for its vast deposits of metallic minerals such as copper, gold, zinc, lead, and iron.

The basin is primarily an agricultural region and consequently the most, im­portant manufacturing industries are agricultural. Food industries, sueh a s meat packing, sugar refining, milling, and processing of dairy products are of major importance. Small localized industries manufacturing textiles, furniture, leather goods, feeds, fertilizer, and clay products are scattered throughout the basin. Pe­troleum refining, natural gas production, and coal production are important indus­tries. Except for a few foundries and small steel plants, the area is lacking in heavy industries.

Industrially the outlook for the bassin is good. It is expected that population will increase as the river is developed. It i s believed that decentralization will bring more diversified industry t o the area a s the wealth and type of natural resources become known. In this region are to b e found abundant inexpensive fuels in ready access to tremendous supplies of a large variety of easily obtainable raw materials.

Natural resources of Oklahoma. The Public Service Co. of Oklahoma h a s es-

T a b l e I I . Effect o f Spraying Agar P l a t e s Direct ly w i t h B o m b Vuj>ors

Colonies on Control Agar

Organism Plate E. coli S. aureus

13,740 15.780

Colonies on Experimental Agar Plates

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tablished a project at the institute relative to the natural resources of the 47 counties in which it supplies electricity. This area i-omprises primarily the east one half and southwest section of the state. Proj­ects will include an intensive study of the state's petroleum, mineral and solid fuels, agricultural, and industrial possibilities. Industry will undoubtedly develop along those lines where unusual possibilities for success evolve around the use of the best available resources.

Organic Chemistry Section Cellulose products. The sponsor and

project title are confidential and cannot be disclosed further than to say work in­volves the preparation of certain regen­erated cellulose structures prepared from viscose.

Condiments. A project concerned with the study of flavor of sauces was com­pleted during the year. This study in­cluded the effect of combination of vari­ous natural and artificial flavors. Work has progressed from the laboratory to field tests.

Diesel fuels. The Caterpillar Tractor Co. has established a project to study the effect of composition of fuels on com­bustion, corrosive wear, and performance of Diesel engines and the correlation of these data with the end products of com­bustion.

Fermentation chemicals. This project, sponsored by the Hart-Bartlett-Sturte-vant Grain Co. of Kansas City, has been devoted to the preparation of chemical derivatives from grain by fermentation processes. One process of nonalcoholic fermentation has been brought to the pilot-plant stage and work is also pro­gressing on a process for the biological preparation of riboflavin which it is ex­pected will soon be placed in pilot plant production.

Glass fiber primers. In connection with extensive research and development on glass fiber products sponsored by the Gustin-Bacon Manufacturing Co., a proj­ect is under way concerned with the sur­face finishing of glass fibers from a point of view quite different from that em­ployed in the textile industries. Since glass fibers are being used more and more for the re-enforcement of plastics, special modifying surface treatments are desir­able in order to effect a controlled degree of adhesion.

Household products. This project, sponsored by the Perfex Co. of Shen­andoah, Iowa, is concerned with the formulation of household products. Sev­eral such formulations have been com­pleted and one has just been successfully introduced to the market.

Inks. The W. A. Sheaffer Pen Co. has established a project to develop new types of writing fluids for special purposes.

Microbiological culture methods. The Columbia Malting Co. of Chicago spon­sored a confidential project on a biological culture process which has been completed and patent applications are being pre­pared.

Natural resins. The Stanolind Oil & Gas Co. has underwritten a project for the investigation and evaluation of certain naturally occurring resinous materials.

Plastics utilization. Hall Brothers, Inc., of Kansas City has had several proj­ects with the institute. This particular project was concerned with studies in polymerization and is of a confidential nature. It is now going into production.

Protein derivatives. This project for the Corn Products Refining Co. is con­cerned with the organic and physico-

Utilisation of Parr colorimeter to determine li.t.u. of coals by A. D. Bern eking

F. Ε. Η or a n Hem' onstraies poten-ûon le trie titra· tion of sorghum s ta rch tvi throdine

chemical studies of a fundamental nature on various proteins derived from grain.

Engineering Mechanics Section

Airplane wing design. A mathematical program to calculate the flutter speed and gust loads on modern high speed aircraft has been established bjr the Army Air Forces. The objectives "of the program include the establishment of new methods for predicting the dynamic character­istics of aircraft during the design stages.

Bottle decorating machine. The design and development of an automatic ma­chine to place trade-marks of dairy product distributors on the sides of bottles has been initiated in a project sponsored by the Liberty Glass Co. of Sapulpa, Okla. This apparatus, which is presently being as­sembled, will be versatile enough to handle any size bottles, from one-half pint capac­ity up to one-half gallon. Fully auto­matic controls have been adopted in order to achieve a greatly increased production of labelled bottles.

Disk terracer. An excellent example of a mechanical engineering design problem presented itself in experimental work to improve the operation of a disk terracer for the G. A. Kelly Plow Co., Longview, Tex. Numerous field tests were con­ducted to study and investigate possible design changes in the original terracer which would improve the efficiency of the unit without major cost alterations. As a result of this experimentation, modi­fications of the terracer were adopted.

Dough panning machine. In practically all modern baking companies throughout the country, the bread dough, after leaving the loaf-forming machine, is manually placed in baking pans before the trip through the ovens. The C. J. Patter­son Co. of Kansas City, 'seeing the de­cided advantages of automatically pan­ning the dough, sought the assistance of scientific research in improving such a system. The desired design of such a panning machine, currently operating to their satisfaction, employs continuous conveyor belts to transport both the pans

and dough to a point where the dough drops into the pans.

Gas-oil burner. The need for supply­ing domestic users of gas with alter­nate fuel facilities was brought about by an ever increasing gas load during certain heating periods. For some time the Gas Service Co. of Kansas City has been con­fronted with the problem of supplying sufficient quantities of natural gas to con­sumers during these existing load peaks. Therefore, a project was established with the institute by this company to develop a low-cost burner device for domestic in­stallation which could be operated inter­mittently as a combination gas-fuel oil system. Intense emphasis was placed on simplicity of design, over-all operating efficiency, automatic controls, and low total installed cost of the unit.

Glass fiber mats. The Gustin-Bacon Manufacturing Co. of Kansas City ini­tiated a research project involving a con­tinuous process for the manufacture of fibrous mats composed in part or entirely of glass fibers. Slany mat forming proc­esses were investigated by personnel con­nected with this project and some po­tential improvements thereof · are being tested. Several patent disclosures have been written in connection with the work.

Impact on plates. A program has been set up by the Office of the Chief of Ordnance, for the purpose of studying funda­mental aspects of impact loads. This program includes theoretical analysis and experimental impact tests.

Knitting machine. An analysis of a proposed design for a high speed knitting machine was made during the year. Recommendations were reported regard­ing the desirability of economically fur­thering this development.

Molded plywood furniture. By co­operation with the organic chemistry sec­tion an investigation of the applicability of advanced molding techniques to the manufacture of furniture in the low and medium cost classes was undertaken for Ballman-Cummings Furniture Co. of Fort Smith, Ark. The purpose of the project was to assemble and evaluate data so that

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the sponsor could decide whether or not a profitable entry into this field was feasible. The project was aided by R. W. Hess of the School of Forestry, Yale University.

Weighing device. A revolutionary new method for rapid batch weighing has been developed by members of the staff. The device is being explored under a project with the Folger Coffee Co. of Kansas City.

Physics Section Ammunition. An investigation of cer­

tain aspects of metal forming is being conducted at the institute for the Western Cartridge Co., a division of Olin Industries, Inc., of East Alton, 111., one of the coun­try's large manufacturers of small arms ammunition. While improved processes for the manufacture of certain of their products is the ultimate objective of this project, the present investigation is con­cerned primarily in its initial phases with studies of a more fundamental nature. The progress of the preliminary work to date indicates that valuable engineering data will be obtained which will con­tribute materially to a second phase in­volving the development of the metal-forming process for production use.

Housing insulation. The Butler Manu­facturing Co. of Kansas City, Mo., has engaged a number of outside research laboratories to supplement their own engineering staff in the development of their well-known "Boulevard House." This house is largely constructed of pre­fabricated aluminum panels designed in such a way that the structure is easily as­sembled and yet retains the appearance, stability, and convenience of arrangement found in conventional building of this kind. The structure incorporates a new principle of aerated walls, thereby reduc­ing condensation of moisture in the wall spaces.

Completely automatic recording equip­ment has been installed by the institute in one of the houses since late in the past summer. In this way a continuous record of data has been obtained which has en­abled the manufacturer to incorporate additional features for the comfort and convenience of the occupants of the houses which the company is producing.

Magnetic paper tape sound recorders. A project involving the development of magnetic paper tape sound recording equipment was completed early this year for the Indiana Steel Products Co. of Valparaiso, Ind. This company, which is one of the world's largest producers of permanent magnets, developed in its own research laboratories a magnetic powder of very unusual magnetic proper-

Warhurg respirometer for studying cellular metabolism operated by John D. Fulton

ties. This powder was found to be par­ticularly adaptable to use as a magnetic recording medium when incorporated in a coating on paper tape. They continued their research in the development of the magnetic paper tape and engaged the in­stitute to develop several recorder models to use in demonstrations of this tape, to which the name Hyflux has been given.

In addition to the development of sev­eral portable recorder-reproducer units and a model which was designed for home use as an attachment for a table-model home radio, a fundamental investigation of tape performance was carried out. In connection with this latter phase of the program, procedures and test equipment were also developed for use in the com­pany's plant.

As a result of this project, several com­panies have been licensed to produce re­cording equipment using Hyflux tape.

Oil well drill pipe inspection. A proj­ect sponsored by the Kerr-McGee Oil Industries, Inc., of Oklahoma City has as its purpose the investigation of various problems associated with the use of oil well drilling equipment. These studies have included metallurgical examination of certain parts which have failed in service to determine the cause of failure and an investigation of possible testing methods to the end that defects likely to cause failure may be located before the equipment is put into use.

Hot water heater tanks. An investi­gation of the mechanism of hot water cor­rosion was begun about 18 months ago under the sponsorship of the Coleman Co., Inc., of Wichita, Kan. An important phase of this project was the development of testing procedures and equipment for corrosion testing of samples under condi­tions found in domestic water heater tanks. On completion of this project the corro­sion testing equipment was transferred to the Coleman Co.'s laboratories.

Secondary aluminum. Investigations on a number of metallurgical problems con­nected with the reclamation of both fer­rous and nonferrous metals was completed during the year for the Sonken-Galamba Corp. of Kansas City, Kan. These in­vestigations have assisted in the main­tenance and improvement of high quality secondary metals from ever changing sources of raw material.

Oil well logging. The research project for the Wells Survey, Inc., of Tulsa, Okla., concerning investigations to improve cer­tain aspects of the equipment and tech­niques for gamma ray and neutron meth­ods of logging oil wells was completed during the year.

Gravitometer. The Refinery Supply Co. of Oklahoma has underwritten a proj­ect to develop certain new instruments for the measurement of physical char­acteristics of petroleum products.

Regional Research

In addition to its operations as an in­dustrial research institute the institute has as its other major objective the economic advancement of mid-America through thé application, of science and technology to the development of the area's natural re­sources. Although Mid-America has been known as the agricultural center of the United States, it nevertheless abounds in other natural resources including coal, petroleum, natural gas, and numerous min­erals in great quantities.

Regional research projects which are sponsored by the institute are established

EMBER 2 4, 1 9 4 7

by the Technical Advisory Committee of the Board of Governors working in con­junction with the staff executive com­mittee. In this way members of the trustees act as sponsors on a project, and the program on regional research is for­malized under this relationship just as are industrially sponsored projects.

To date 16 regional projects have been established at the institute, 15 of them financed from public subscription and the sixteenth financed jointly by the Kansas City Southern Railway and the McNally-Pittsburgh Manufacturing Corp.

Although some of these projects are currently in the literature search stage, a number of them have progressed suffi­ciently to justify a report.

Development of agricultural fibers for industrial uses. This project has devel­oped to the point where literature survey has been completed and the two avenues of promising research have therefrom been determined. On the one hand it is obvious that the industrial uses of agri­cultural fibers indigenous to the region can be greatly advanced if further sub­stantial development in chemical, bio­logical or mechanical methods of treat­ment of agricultural fibers can be brought about to make the fiber processing more economical. Plans are presently being made to carry on an investigation of cer­tain fibers along these lines. On the other hand, certain fibers that are not indige­nous to this area but which have promise from an industrial point of view would be developed by proper plant breeding pro­grams. Investigation of this possibility is now being considered in conjunction with agricultural experiment stations which would cooperate with the institute on such a program.

Improvement of regional ceramics and refractories clays. This area has long been a leader in the production of ceramic and refractories clays. Investigation has shown that there are many opportunities for advancing industrial potentialities through the use of these readily available raw materials by further research and de­velopment. Quite obviously American industry will continue to require refrac­tories that will withstand higher and higher temperatures and it is along these lines that the institute is working.

Special instrumentation. As a regional project, the institute is extending the uses of latest techniques and instruments, in­cluding electronics, electron diffraction and microscopy, x-ray diffraction, metallog­raphy, and several types of spectroscopy to the advancement of knowledge of the area's resources.

Nutritive value of forage crops. The institute is continuing its research inves­tigations on methods of stabilizing caro^ tene in forage crops. The American farmer is realizing more and more that the value of forage crops cannot· be meas­ured in weight, but will more and more be measured in nutritive value. The

3501 V O L U M E 2 5, N O 4 7 . N O V E M B E R 2 4, 1 9 4 7

loss of carotene in dehydration and stor­age is a problem and its solution will greatly benefit agriculture.

Six-state regional resources map. The institute has completed, in collaboration with the geologists of the states involved, a natural resources map covering the states of Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Mis­souri, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. This map has been duplicated in quantity and distributed broadly to industry, business­men, and institutions of all types.

Surface hardening treatment for barn and feed lots. This institute-sponsored project has continued into the second year with field tests indicating more and more promise for certain combinations of chemicals applied to soil surfaces at very low cost. Field tests are being extended to playgrounds and secondary roads.

Nonfuel uses of petroleum and natural gas. This project deals with those uses of petroleum and natural gas which have promise in chemical production direc­tions and which are in those fields that are of direct interest to the general public primarily. Although it is desired that re­sults be as practical as possible, the em­phasis of this project has been more in the fundamental considerations, rather than immediate industrial uses.

Survey of Arkansas-Oklahoma coals. This regional project, financed by special contribution by Kansas City Southern Railway and the McNally-Pittsburg Manufacturing Corp., is directed toward the survey of industrial uses of the great coal fields of Arkansas and Oklahoma. With the coming industrial development of mid-America, more of the basic knowl­edge of the characteristics of these coals becomes necessary. In connection with this project, a complete coal laboratory has been established and a great variety of samples from these fields have already been investigated.

Investigation of fundamentals under­lying intermediary cellular metabolism. The institute has sponsored a fundamental science program in the organic chemistry division on intermediary cellular metabol­

ism. This project has been undertaken in order to add to our understanding of the phenomena that underlie the energy-yielding utilization of carbohydrates in bacterial metabolism in, order that that information will lead to our better under­standing of the processes underlying the conversion by microorganisms of farm products into useful chemical products. It is hoped that the information thus ob­tained will be a valuable contribution to fundamental knowledge.

Study of the behavior of metals under strain. This project involves a very fundamental approach to determine the effect of sustained average mechanical strains on the structure of metals. The method of attack is to measure directly the changes in the individual grains of metal due to the application of a mechani­cal strain in an attempt to determine the change in structure. The measurements which arc to be made in an attempt to de­tect the changes of the individual grains are as follows: micro hardness deter­mination, x-ray diffraction patterns, elec­tron micrographs, variation in the phase changes in the metals, changes in density and thermal and electrical conductivities, and change in chemical activity.

A special specimen has been developed which is small enough to be used on the metallograph and with the standard x-ray diffraction specimen holder. The speci­men allows a uniform average mechanical strain in tension to be placed in a piece of metal 0.25 inch square and 1 inch long. The strain in the specimen is balanced with the use of an electrical strain gage with the load applied by the use of wedge.

Explosive dissociation of grain. Exist­ing methods for the separation of germ and hull from cereal and legume berries in many cases are either incomplete or are accompanied by attendant changes in the physical and chemical characteristics of the treated material which interfere with further processing to desired end products. Thus, convention»^ wheat flour milling methods attempt but do not attain com­plete germ removal from the flour, and

Preparation of samples for determination of carotene per­formed by Helen Kilmer with the Beckman spectrophotometer

present methods embodying heat and pressure for the removal of germ from corn and other cereals are accompanied by a cooking action which alters the ma­terial treated.

In the explosive dissociation process, the material to be treated is subjected first to a suitable pressure by means of air, steam, or other atmospheres, after which it is introduced mechanically into a stream of the pressurizing medium passing through a nozzle at high velocity. The almost instantaneous change from a higher pressure to a pressure· near at­mospheric, as brought about in the nozzle, results in separation of component parts of the grain. Thus, the method pres­ently being investigated provides a pro­cedure for the complete separation of germ and hull from cereal and legume berries in such a way that the chemical and physical characteristics of the treated ma­terials are not affected in the process, thus permitting the further processing to any desired end product. Patents have been applied for on ail procedures.

A pilot plant is being established in collaboration with a number of cereal grain processing companies to study all features of the process on a semicommer-cial scale of operations. An underwriting of $100,000 is making possible this phase of the investigation for a two-year period.

Public Services In addition to the institute-sponsored

projects on natural resources of the area, which contribute to the common store of general technical knowledge with the ulti­mate goal of raised standards of living, the institute engages in numerous special public services. For example, it makes

• available its entire staff in all fields of science to advise and consult with manu­facturers and prospective manufacturers on their technical problems. It has aided in the establishment of more than a dozen outside research organizations, supplying guidance and assisting with selection of suitable personnel. Various problems of city smoke abatement, elimination of dust, and health and safety have been given whatever help the instituted personnel and facilities could render.

The institute has relieved the over­burdened faculties of educational insti­tutions in the area by making available highly trained and specialized instructors to conduct courses at an advanced level in the various universities. It has main­tained four fellowships in the area.

In addition, the institute has furnished a number of guest lecturers for scientific organizations on the general subject of the application of science to business and in­dustry and has counseled with local crime detection laboratories, hospitals, and gov­ernment agencies on technical problems and use of special scientific instruments. ABSTRACT of Second Annual Report of Harold Vagtborg, President, to Trustees and Board .of Governors, Midwest Research Institute, Kansas City 2, Mo.

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