Two data centers have been established, the NBS Chemical Kinetics Information Center acting in a general capacity, and the University of Notre Dame Radiation Chemistry Data Center. These centers are at present performing the first two services listed above, and are providing some limited information services to the public as well. In addition, the NSRDS kinetics program now includes a limited number of projects for evaluation and tabulation of reaction rate data of special interest, supplementary to the critical review activities. Colloid and Surface Data Two new compilation projects were started in 1967. One, the critical evaluation of data on the surface tensions of substances which are liquids in the vicinity of room temperature, complements an existing program on the surface tensions of molten salts. The other new project is a critical review of data pertinent to phase transformation kinetics including such factors as coefficients of evaporation and condensation, critical supersaturations and specific interfacial energies. Among the older programs, one on the critical micelle concentrations of association colloids and another on the light scattering of pure liquids and binary mixtures are nearing completion. There are three other active projects of data compilation and evaluation in this area. They are sponsored by the NAS/NRC Committee on Colloid and Surface Chemistry, and concern heats of immersion, the surface tension of solutions of association colloids and the properties of monolayers. INFORMATION SYSTEMS DESIGN AND RESEARCH A survey of the physical tables literature is being made, and a bibliographic list, author index and classified subject index of tables has been prepared in the area of solid state physics. To promote international cooperation and compatibility of computer programs and formats used by data centers for physical properties of materials, the Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA) of the International Council of Scientific Unions has established a "Task Group on Computer Use" with which NBS cooperates. The organizing meeting of the Group laid plans for a status report on automation in data centers and for an inventory of appropriate computer programs, to be followed later by recommendations for uniform codes and formats, exchange of computer programs, and promotion of computer use in data taking and evaluation. INFORMATION SERVICES Information services activities this past year were restricted primarily to assisting and supporting data centers. Emphasis was placed on file and publication mechanization procedures of general applicability, on developing increased cooperation among data centers, and on determining the needs of the scientific community. Machine-Readable Scientific Text.-A "General Purpose Scientific Document Image Code" has been developed as the central component of a system for mechanizing the processing and exchange of scientific information in machine readable form. Such a system is needed by the data and information centers supported by the Office of Standard Reference Data. In this system a scientific typescript, with all its traditional complex symbolism and highly structured page format, may be transferred to digital machine form with virtually no limitations on the notation that may be employed. An attempt was made in the design of the system to assure broad applicability by emphasizing (a) exchange of information via telecommunication devices compatible with the American Standard Code for Information Interchange, (b) design of hardware to permit use of the proven skills of ordinary scientific typists in the record capture process, (c) exploitation of the capabilities of commercially available extended character high-speed line printers for direct computer output, and (d) publication using this type of machine record as the "typescript" input to computerized typesetting programs. This system was developed in the NBS Physical Chemistry Division, and is being tested on records produced by the Chemical Kinetics Information Center and the Chemical Thermodynamics Data Group located there. To date two prototype "taxywriters" (type-augmented x-y recording typewriters) have been built. Computer programs for the input, editing and retrieval of records have been written and tested on a pilot plant scale. Tests indicate that the System will be readily adaptable to other data collection operations. Discussion Forum, Data and Information Center Operators.-A meeting of all data and information center operators associated with OSRD was held April 6-7, 1967 at NBS. Representatives of 18 data and information centers within NBS and 10 centers outside the Bureau participated in the forum. The major objectives of the meeting were: (a) to examine and develop machinery for communication exchanges and work sharing; (b) to explore means for establishing compatibility among operational procedures of the centers; (c) to explore and help formulate standards of quality; and (d) to define relationships between and among the Office of Standard Reference Data and associated centers and to develop machinery for more effective aid to centers. Survey on Data Needs.-The Office of Standard Reference Data in cooperation with Industrial Research magazine conducted a survey in the magazine's May 1967 issue to determine: (1) Data and information needs of scientists and engineers within the industrial research community. (2) How such needs are now met. (3) Patterns of use of data, information, and reference sources. (4) Problems in finding required data and information. Results of the survey show: (1) That of about 600 scientists and engineers responding, 75 percent experience problems in locating or obtaining materials properties data. (2) During a typical week, 55 percent of the respondents must look up properties data from 1-5 times. Among others, the task is more demanding-occurring 6-10 times for 22 percent and more than 10 times for 19 percent. (3) Generally it takes less than an hour for the majority to locate the necessary information. However, 24 percent spend from 1 to 8 hours; and 8 percent normally search for days or weeks. Among other items of interest the survey revealed was: (1) The printed book is the most frequently used and preferred form of data in use by the respondents. (2) Seventy-two percent of the respondents require and use bibliographies. The survey showed that 82 percent of the respondents were engaged in research and development; 17 percent in manufacturing and processing. The disciplines represented were: 37 percent in chemistry; 32 percent in engineering; 12 percent in physics; 8 percent in the life sciences; the rest divided among miscellaneous groupings. INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS RESEARCH The Institute for Materials Research is one of the nation's principal materials science laboratories. Work falls into the following broad areas: 1. Preparation and Characterization of Materials 2. Data on the Properties of Materials 3. Technical Assistance to Others. The full-time staff of about 600 employees includes a professional staff of 400 with 160 Ph.D.'s in science and engineering. In addition, there is a part-time staff of about 60 scientific consultants, Research Associates, and Fellows. The work of IMR facilitates the application of materials science to the solution of national problems by conducting research on materials and by supplying consulting and various other services. IMR provides the national science capability to support the NBS leadership role in the national measurement system. About 40 percent of IMR's work is for other Government agencies. PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MATERIALS This area includes such activities as the synthesis of new materials, purification of materials, crystal growth, and the analysis of materials with respect to chemical composition and structure. Outputs of these activities are sample materials to be used for specific research purposes, and the development of new techniques and procedures for preparing or characterizing materials. Another output is a class of materials called Standard Reference Materials. These are prepared and sold by IMR and are used mainly by industry for the calibration of equipment. Synthesis PREPARATION Ion-Exchange Resins Under Study.-An effort was directed toward the preparation of ion-exchange materials tailored to specific separation problems. Initial efforts have demonstrated the feasibility of controlled surface sulfonation such that cation exchange capability is restricted to a depth of 10 nanometers. This work is part of a general program which seeks to control chemical reactions which cause ionexchange capacity to develop, and which will point the way to the |