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University Daily Kansan Monday. Nov. 30. 1959
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES STUDIED--Paul W. Gilles (left), professor of chemistry, and Phillip G. Wahlbeck, instructor of chemistry, assemble high vacuum, high temperature apparatus used for
evaporation studies on titanium oxide. The apparatus is located in the high temperature chemistry laboratory in Malott Hall. (Kansan photo by Jack Harrison.)
High Temperature Lab Trains Students in Physical Chemistry
By Lea Ann Watson
No sound, no odor, just a white-hot crucible giving off intense glaring rays.
Twofold Function
This is the high temperature chemistry laboratory. It can heat small containers to temperatures ranging from 2000 to 6000 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a typical experiment, a mixture of a metal and a non-metal is placed in a crucible. Intense heating of the crucible allows the formation of a refractory compound between the metal and the non-metal. The compounds which are now being studied in the laboratory are either metal oxides or metal borides.
The purpose of the high temperature laboratory is twofold. First, the work trains scientists in physical chemistry. Second, the work involves the study of physical chemical properties of high temperature substances. These include the crystalline structure, the vapor pressure, and thermodynamic properties.
Crucible Is Heated
Intense heat is produced by an electric coil, which is wound tightly around the glass-enclosed crucible. By a continual rapid reversing of the direction of flow of the electrons through the coil, a magnetic field is produced. The field induces electric current in the crucible. This produces enormous heat in the crucible.
Although the scientists are not primarily concerned with practical applications of their work, there are potential uses of their results.
The highly stable compounds which can be produced by this treatment may be used in situations which require a substance able to withstand high temperature, such as rocket motor components and high temperature nuclear reactors for the production of power.
Pyrometer Used
The temperature of the crucible is measured by an optical pyrometer, which measures the temperature by matching the color of an electrically heated wire to the color of the hot crucible.
When a new compound is formed, the apparatus can measure its vapor
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pressure at various temperatures. These measurements are used to obtain valuable thermodynamic data.
The heating of a compound also indicates the melting point of the compound.
Crystalline structure may be studied by means of an X-ray diffraction instrument. The X-ray machine will show what compounds are present.
This area of research is only one of four active areas in physical chemistry. Professors W. J. Argersinger, F. S. Rowland and Richard J. Bearman are directing the work in the other areas. The three areas are analytical, inorganic and organic chemistry.
Gilles Directs Project
Paul W. Gilles, professor of chemistry, is the research director for this project. Phillip G. Wahlbeck, instructor of chemistry, and J. G. Wall, residence associate in chemistry, are post-doctorate research associates who are aiding the work. Graduate students working on the project will use the information that they gather in their theses for their doctorate degrees.
This long-range project was started by Prof. Gilles 12 years ago. The professor has been interested in high temperature chemistry since he was a graduate student at the University of California at Berkeley. When he came to KU, he set up a high temperature laboratory in the hut behind old Bailey Hall, which then contained the chemistry department.
The long-range project will be continued indefinitely, while additional information is compiled, according to Mr. Wahlbeck.
"The chemistry department of the university and the AEC (Atomic Energy Commission) sponsor the project." Mr. Wahbeck explained. "The AEC has been very kind with their contributions each year."
He also pointed out that the data which have been compiled are being published from time to time in scientific journals.
"A few of the larger schools and government laboratories are carrying on similar work," he added.
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Still, when you try to find the reasons for his good time, he can come up with none. The standard answer runs something like this:
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Ask almost any student how his vacation was and he'll sav. "Great."
Turkey Vacation 'Great Say Returning Students
By Gabby Wilson
"I didn't do anything but I really had a good time."
Away From 'Rat Race'
It seems that students like vacations so much because they can get away from the grade rat race on the Hill. For a change, they don't have to stay up 'til midnight or later preparing for the next day. Many stay up late but it isn't as tiring without a book for company.
Sleep Is Pastime
Then, of course, when the light of a new day hits, the vacationing student doesn't have to crawl from his bed and trudge, unrested, to his eight o'clock class. Instead, the covers are pulled high over his head and more of that long awaited rest is his.
Later in the day, perhaps 11,
12 or 1, the vacationing student
rolls out of bed and is ready for any
adventure that the TV set will bring
him. The TV set replaces the class
room lecturer very easily. You can
change channels if you don't like
what you hear, or if what you hear
is boring.
Possibly the student may take a trip downtown, wandering from one warm building to another and looking at the treasures that each has to offer to the "rich" college students. It seems funny that each building is about the same comfortable temperature. This is a big change from the arctic or temperate climates you encounter in the class rooms.
Read for Enjoyment
The holiday student may pick up a book, and read it just for fun and enjoyment. He knows that he does not need to stay up all hours of the night to stay on schedule, but rather he can read all of it or some of it at his leisure. Also, he doesn't have to worry about overlooking some small fact which might be thrown in on a test.
Then, in the evening, our vacationing playboy picks up his date and they are off. They have no closing hours, yet they return by a decent hour, as they would at college if they were trusted.
Return Anticipated
As time begins to run out the vacationer becomes fidgety and readies himself for the trip back.
He begins to anticipate the return to school. It is not because he enjoys torture, but rather he is primed for this way of life, like it or not. The sleepless nights, the endless assignments, the poor air conditioning, the injustice of grades and the asinine closing hours have all become a part of the student's life.
So he returns to KU after his brief taste of freedom. He greets his friends. He says that he had a great time as he remembers the pleasant nothingness of his vacation.
Then he buckles down and prepares to endure. All of this for the goal of a sheepskin, which is becoming cheaper every day.
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