CHEMICAL RESEARCH

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 1, 1 July 1935, Page 14

CHEMICAL RESEARCH

SYNTHETIC RESINS

FUEL FROM VEGETABLE WASTE

(From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON. June 1. J In view of the importance of synthetic ,resins to the public (says the report of the Chemistry Research Board) a large amount of work has been done» on these materials. As a result, a tough, transparent resin has been obtained which i-esemblcs glass, and which, in addition, may find application as a material for artificial dentures. In connection with this work, it is interesting to note that, with the object of making synthetic resins direct from tar oils, experiments are in progress which indicate the possibility of simultaneously separating the valuable hydrocarbon oils. Iteslns formed in this way have been favourably reported on for. impregnation purposes, as they serve to prevent the growth of mildew.

A satisfactory method of preparing acetone alcohol mixtures useful as a liquid fuel and of importance in many industries, from straws and waste vegetable matter by fermentation has been demonstrated on a semi-commer-cial scale. Much work has been done on the ■ deterioration of fabrics by micro-organisms, and as a result of this a method has been evolved which increased the resistant properties of cellulose fibres. The decay of ropes and fibres through attack by microorganisms has been shown to depend on moisture conditions. In 1932-33. for example, it was found that ropes were more likely to be attacked when stored near the Thames estuary than when stored on the south-west coast. FUXGAL SUBSTANCES. As a result of tests conducted with over ICO species of lower fungi, a fungai substance has been found which is capable of degummmg silk more rapidly and thoroughly than the acids usually used. Another instance of die application of microbiology is afforded by a recent investigation on the cause of earthy taste in salmon taken from a well-known salmon river. Investigation on Ihe spot proved that 'lie earthy taste and odour were due to the tainting of the river by growths of certain organisms. . It was found that the taint disappeared if the fish were kept for two to five days in clear running water. Investigations are proceeding to delermine the composition of the material responsible for the tainting of fish. The board has arranged for the preparation of synthetic chemicals of the types likely to be useful in the treatment of disease, and. by co-operation with the Medical Research Coim'-il. to have them tested for their chemo-thera-peutical effects. This arrangement covers not only chemicals that are produced in the Chemical Research Laboratory, but also those produced by workers'in universities assisting in Ihi= i)j-pv>fVi of (he work. "Although this au"st." the report states, "has a medical objective, it is a ■joint field in which the chemist can render valuable fid. as s' 1-"' frrim the alleviation of sufTerine. the production in this country of synthetic drugs has nn irnoortnnt 'nriustrial and Imperial sidnific"r"\ V™- "-nm'" 11". in India alone, three-fn.inrters of a million nounds >s snent nnnm'l.y on quinine, the ororlufti^n of which is l-*"*°elv in. foreign hnnrK L^r^e n" otit')i<ss or dm as not incH«ennns to country some of "-hi'-h mipM b" «v"n'i" !>s'«ed to our advantage as the result of research."