Industrial Research 



309 



Functions in Research and Development 



Until about 20 yeare ago, chemists and chemical 

 engineers were used almost interchangeably in research 

 and devclopmcDt work. At that time it was common 

 practice to start all new men in the analytical labora- 

 tories and subsequently to transfer into research those 

 who developed originality and creative abilities. Some 

 of those unfitted for investigational woriv went into 

 production or sales, wliile a few remained in the labora- 

 tory as routine analj'sts. Thus personal characteristics 

 and aptitude rather than training and experience were 

 the usual bases of selection. Sometinaes the process 

 worked admirably, but often it resulted in vocational 

 misfits. 



Universities perhaps contributed to this unfortunate 

 situation somewhat by encouraging chemical-engineer- 

 ing graduates to go into laboratory research even thougli 

 they were inadequately trained for this important 

 work. likewise, manj^ research chemists were urged 

 imwisely to enter pilot-plant and development work 

 for which they lacked the engineering laiowledge and 

 training. 



Gradually, however, this situation has been cor- 

 rected. There has arisen a fairly definite rUnsion of 

 functions and responsibility between chemists and 



engineers in research and dcveloimient work. W. L. 

 Badger, former professor of chemical engineering at the 

 University of Michigan and now manager of the con- 

 suiting engineering division of the Dow Chemical 

 Company, has outlined this division as follows:* 



1. The strictly laboratory work (i. e., the beaker and test- 

 tube-scale operations) should be done by the man with chemical 

 background and training. Engineering considerations do not 

 ordinarily enter into the actual conduct of research at this stage. 



2. The pilot plant, semiworks, or similar development should 

 be in the hands of the chemical engineer, not only with regard to 

 the work itself but also with regard to its direction. Through 

 this stage, however, the chemist, although not taking the re- 

 sponsibility, should be closely associated with the engineer. 



3. The design of the final plant and its operation are the work 

 of the chemical engineer alone. Once the process has passed 

 the pilot-plant stage, the function of the chemist is largely to 

 control quality and to advise in case of chemical difficulties. 



An important advantage of tliis form of organization 

 is that the close association of the chemist and the 

 chemical engineer prior to and during pilot-plant 

 operations makes possible an exchange of knowledge 

 and experience that could not be obtained through 

 reports or infrequent conferences. This exchange of 

 experience, and the enthusiasm and inspiration that 



* Private communication. 



Figure 92. — Chemical Engineering Laboratory, Aluminum Research Laboratories, .Aluminum Company of .\merica, Xew Kensington, 



Pennsylvania 



