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902 JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION MAY, 1032 For those pupils who do not plan to go on in scientificpursuits, probably the most valuable th'mg to be gained from a course in science is an under- standing and appreciation of the scientific attitude and method. A study of the lives of scientists, sketchy though it be, surely must help fix in the minds of young students the desirability of following scientific methods and an admiration for that quality in men which makes them overcome great obstacles, withstand personal hardships, ignore social prestige, and some- times forsake wealth in the persistence of their search for the truth. New Method May Make Ramie Cheaply Available. A new cellulose industry for America seems to be a step nearer reality following the development in laboratories at Louisiana State University of a method of treating ramie to obtain from it longer and stronger fibers than are now available from cotton, flax, or hemp. The work is being carried on by DR. P. M. Hon~oa of Louisiana State University, and G. L. CARTER of the University of Virginia, and was reported by Mr. Carter to the American Chemical Society recently meeting in New Orleans. The unusual durability and strength of ramie have been known to the world since ancient Egyptians used it for wrapping those mummies which have been best preserved for modern examination, But the only processes that have ever heen available for separating the useful fiber from the worthless parts of the stalk are slow and expensive and are carried out entirely by hand labor. By chemical means of digestion ana bleaching Dr. Horton and Mr. Carter report that they have separated the fiber from itsclosply clinging bark and have given it a clean white color with practically no loss of strength. There remains, it was pointed out, the separation of the fiher and hark from the interior pulp and woody tissue. In the laboratory this was easily accomplished by hand. The development of a machine for this simplified operation is not expected to be difficult. The many machines of the past, all of which have been failures, have attempted to sepa- rate the fiber from both the outer hark and the inner wood and pulp. If the laboratory method of separating the fiber from the bark, which has been developed a t Louisiana State University, can be applied commercially, chemists agree that one of the greatest difficulties preventing the extensive use of ramie in industry will be overcome. "A weak solution of ammonium hydroxide and sodium sulfite was found t o success- fully debark the fiber without injuring it." Mr. Carter said. "The remaining gums can be removed by diaestion in a neutral soap solution. Bleaching of the degummed fiber can 1," accornplishrd hy mans of .;oditlrn hypochlorite Thir oprratwn i? deliratv and carr must he uken to prcvcnt i n j u r ~ la the fihcr such 39 lossof 9renflh, hrittlrnt:$f, ur loss of luster." Ramie is now used to a limited extent to strengthen paper and for the manufacture of special textiles. The fiber comes from China, where it is processed by hand. Its unusual strenath and length of fiber would give it many more uses if it could he produced . . cheaply enough. Research has proved that it will grow successfully in the far southern states, providing two or three crops a year. Its yield of cellulose is several times that of cotton.-Scicncc Service

New method may make ramie cheaply available

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902 JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION MAY, 1032

For those pupils who do not plan to go on in scientific pursuits, probably the most valuable th'mg to be gained from a course in science is an under- standing and appreciation of the scientific attitude and method. A study of the lives of scientists, sketchy though it be, surely must help fix in the minds of young students the desirability of following scientific methods and an admiration for that quality in men which makes them overcome great obstacles, withstand personal hardships, ignore social prestige, and some- times forsake wealth in the persistence of their search for the truth.

New Method May Make Ramie Cheaply Available. A new cellulose industry for America seems to be a step nearer reality following the development in laboratories at Louisiana State University of a method of treating ramie to obtain from i t longer and stronger fibers than are now available from cotton, flax, or hemp. The work is being carried on by DR. P. M. H o n ~ o a of Louisiana State University, and G. L. CARTER of the University of Virginia, and was reported by Mr. Carter to the American Chemical Society recently meeting in New Orleans.

The unusual durability and strength of ramie have been known to the world since ancient Egyptians used it for wrapping those mummies which have been best preserved for modern examination, But the only processes that have ever heen available for separating the useful fiber from the worthless parts of the stalk are slow and expensive and are carried out entirely by hand labor.

By chemical means of digestion ana bleaching Dr. Horton and Mr. Carter report that they have separated the fiber from itsclosply clinging bark and have given it a clean white color with practically no loss of strength.

There remains, i t was pointed out, the separation of the fiher and hark from the interior pulp and woody tissue. In the laboratory this was easily accomplished by hand. The development of a machine for this simplified operation is not expected to be difficult. The many machines of the past, all of which have been failures, have attempted to sepa- rate the fiber from both the outer hark and the inner wood and pulp.

If the laboratory method of separating the fiber from the bark, which has been developed a t Louisiana State University, can be applied commercially, chemists agree that one of the greatest difficulties preventing the extensive use of ramie in industry will be overcome.

"A weak solution of ammonium hydroxide and sodium sulfite was found to success- fully debark the fiber without injuring it." Mr. Carter said. "The remaining gums can be removed by diaestion in a neutral soap solution. Bleaching of the degummed fiber can 1," accornplishrd hy mans of .;oditlrn hypochlorite Thir oprratwn i? deliratv and carr must he u k e n to prcvcnt i n j u r ~ la the fihcr such 3 9 lossof 9renflh, hrittlrnt:$f, ur loss of luster."

Ramie is now used to a limited extent to strengthen paper and for the manufacture of special textiles. The fiber comes from China, where it is processed by hand. Its unusual strenath and length of fiber would give it many more uses if i t could he produced . . cheaply enough. Research has proved that it will grow successfully in the far southern states, providing two or three crops a year. Its yield of cellulose is several times that of cotton.-Scicncc Service