RECORDS OF MEETINGS. 753 



" ' Lightning Arresters and the Photographic Study of Self- Induc- 

 tion.' Before the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, January 

 8, 1889. 



"'Carborundum: its History, Manufacture, and Uses.' Before the 

 Franklin Institute, June 21, 1893. 



" ' Graphite : its Foundation and Manufacture.' Before the Franklin 

 Institute, :\Iarch 15, 1899. 



" ' Egyptianized Clay.' Before the American Ceramic Society, in 

 1903. 



" ' Discovery and Invention.' Before the Society of ^Mining En- 

 gineers, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, March 9, 1906. 



" He has received some forty United States patents, chiefly relating 

 to carborundum, graphite, and other products of the electric furnace. 



" In conclusion, it may be said that the labors of Mr. Acheson have, 

 through the agency of electric heat, in furnaces especially designed for 

 its utilization, and by methods devised by him, provided a new abra- 

 sive only inferior to the diamond in hardness and toughness, much 

 harder than emery or carborundum, of which it largely takes the place, 

 whether used in the form of graded sizes of grains or in slabs, or in 

 the construction of grinding wheels. His work has also developed a 

 source of nearly pure graphite aside from the usual mining of this 

 substance, and which promises to become the principal supply of such 

 material. It has supplied compact graphite in any form desired, and 

 of high endurance and purity, for electrodes in electro-chemical in- 

 dustry. There has resulted from the work of Mr. Acheson a commer- 

 cial production of the element silicon, before known in small amounts 

 as a curiosity of the chemical cabinet. This element promises to fill a 

 need for electric-resistance materials, and for chemical ware unattack- 

 able by strong acids even when hot, hydrofluoric among the number. 

 It can be cast in any form in ordinary moulds, and stands rapid changes 

 of temperature when in the form of crucibles or dishes not too thick. 

 It oxidizes but slightly in the air even at high temperatures. Lastly, 

 the work of Mr. Acheson provides a new material, — siloxicon, — the 

 properties of which promise to render it a very valuable addition to 

 our resources in high temperature furnace processes. He is to be com- 

 mended for his persistency, ingenuity, and sagacity in applying the 

 heating effect of electrical energy to technical problems of the highest 

 importance." 



I can add to this only that the committee is heartily unanimous in 

 the opinion that the labors of Mr. Acheson fully entitle him to the 

 honor of the award. 



VOL. XLII. — 48 



