214 REPORTS ON INVESTIGATIONS AND PROJECTS. 



A Study of the hydrogen electrode, the calomel electrode, and of contact potential. By 

 N. E. Loomis and S. F. Acree. American Chemical Journal, December 191 1. 



In this article are discussed the value of the electromotive force of the 

 calomel electrode and the hydrogen electrode, which have been defined to 

 within 0.1 millivolt. It is shown that a 4.12 N solution of potassium chlo- 

 ride nearly eliminates the contact potential between solutions of hydrochloric 

 acid and potassium chloride. 



The application of the hydrogen electrode to the measurement of the hydrolysis of 

 aniline hydrochloride and the ionization of acetic acid in the presence of neutral 

 salts. By N. E. Loomis and S. F. Acree. Amer. Chem. Journal, December 191 1. 



Dr. Loomis has obtained some very concordant results in measuring the 

 concentration of the hydrogen ions resulting from the hydrolysis of aniline 

 hydrochloride. This method promises to be of very general application. 



Difficulties in the application of the hydrogen electrode to the measurement of the con- 

 centration of hydrogen ions in the presence of organic compounds. By L. J. Desha 

 and S. F. Acree. American Chemical Journal, December 191 1. 



Dr. Desha has studied the influence of organic compounds on the potential 

 of the hydrogen electrode, and has learned that although some substances do 

 not change the potential of the hydrogen electrode, others do very materially. 

 Conclusions must therefore be drawn very conservatively and only after 

 careful study. 



Bancroft, W. D., Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. Grant No. 684. 

 Systematic study of alloys. (For previous reports see Year Books Nos. 

 2-9.) $1,500 



There has been very little progress made on the iron-carbon diagram. 

 During the annealing at 1000° some of the carbon burned out of the alloys, 

 and this work will have to be done over again with increased precautions. 

 The recording differential thermometer has proved an absolute failure and 

 has been abandoned for the present. Through the courtesy of the Director 

 of the Geophysical Laboratory, Dr. Day, the temperature measurements are 

 now being carried on in that laboratory. 



Experiments on the tensile strength of electrolytic copper have given very 

 satisfactory results. Good deposits of copper have been obtained from an 

 acidified copper sulphate solution up to a current density of 4,000 amperes 

 per square foot, and there is no reason to suppose that this limit can not be 

 pushed higher if desired. By keeping down the temperature of the electro- 

 lyte the equivalent of a hard-drawn copper has been obtained electrolytically, 

 the tensile strength being 68,000 pounds per square inch. At temperatures 

 of 75° a ductile copper is obtained which is equivalent to annealed copper. 



Corresponding results with electrolytic bronze have not yet been obtained, 

 apparently because the tin dissolves at the anode in a colloidal form which is 

 not available. Electrolytic brass from a cyanide solution is brittle ; the reason 

 for this has not yet been established definitely. 



The electrolytic corrosion of brass has been determined in chloride and 

 sulphate solutions, and we are now determining the tensile strength of cast 

 brass. 



