Problem solving—continued

Problem solving strategies and skills are em phasized throughout Understanding is continu ally reinforced by problems that appear within topic sections For many problems sample solu tions are given... 

Within various pharmaceutical laboratories (industrial and academic), the mul-tinuclear technique of solid state NMR has primarily been applied to the study of polymorphism at the qualitative and quantitative levels. Although the technique ideally lends itself to the structure determination of drug compounds in the solid state, it is anticipated that in the future, solid state NMR will become routinely used for method development and problem solving activities in the analytical/materials science/physical pharmacy area of the pharmaceutical sciences. During the past few years, an increasing number of publications have emerged in which solid state NMR has become an invaluable technique. With the continuing development of solid state NMR pulse sequences and hardware improvements (increased sensitivity), solid state NMR will provide a wealth of information for the physical characterization of pharmaceutical solids. 

Problems are present in all real situations. These problems provide opportunities for improvement. Problems are there to give the laboratory the opportunity to solve them and to enable laboratories to learn from their problem solving experiences. Provisions for identification and resolution of potential and existing problems on a continuous basis are essential. 

Root cause analysis (RCA) is a class of problem solving methods aimed at identifying the root causes of problems or events. The practice of RCA is predicated on the belief that problems are best solved by attempting to correct or eliminate root causes, as opposed to merely addressing the immediately obvious symptoms. By directing corrective measures at root causes, it is hoped that the likelihood of problem recurrence will be minimized. However it is recognized that complete prevention of recurrence by a single intervention is not always possible. Thus RCA is often considered to be an iterative process and is frequently viewed as a tool of continuous improvement. 

It is risky to predict the future, but the 1990s continue the trends of the 1970s more chemistiy more practical organic, inorganic, and biochemical problem-solving and more detailed knowledge of the chemical nature of the... 

Elsa Reichmanis We don t use formal innovation processes such as those described in the preceding presentations. We do continually examine our portfolio of activities and determine what relates to the business from the advanced development, applied research perspective and from the very long-term research perspective. We need to have a mix of both, and we have a broad continuum of activity. In reality the spectrum of fundamental research to productization requires different modes of working at different stages—there is an evolution from what could perhaps be more individual blue-sky research to a team-based, problem-solving approach. To be successful, we need flexibility. 

This construction largely solves the problem of continuous electrolysis without opening the electrolyser at the same time, the anode-cathode spacing always remains constant. 

Use of Pareto charts on a continuing basis also provides documentation of improvements. The charts can become a record of the problem-solving efforts, as well as the basis of determining dollar value of savings, quality improvement, etc., that you have contributed to your company. 

When the ozone hole was reported in 1985, scientists had made measurements of CFC levels in the stratosphere that supported the hypothesis that CFCs could be responsible for the depletion of ozone. The pure research done only for the sake of knowledge became applied research. Applied research is research undertaken to solve a specific problem. Scientists continue to monitor the amount of CFCs in the atmosphere and the annual changes in the amount of ozone in the stratosphere. Applied research also is being done to find replacement chemicals for the CFCs that are now banned. Read the Chemistry and Society feature at the end of this chapter to learn about research into the human genome. What type of research does it describe ... 

They continue by emphasizing the benefits of the computational approach to problem solving 15... 

ICP-OES continues to dominate the market because of its ease of use and relatively low maintenance cost. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is a very powerful state-of-the-art technique used for metal analysis of all kinds of samples but requires highly skilled operators. A vast amount of information is received that is not necessarily required as part of problem-solving or routine support. The cost difference and relative freedom from maintenance problems would favour ICP-OES. This book is aimed at practitioners requiring multi-elemental analysis in industrial, environmental, pharmaceutical and research laboratories, where information on identification and quantification is required on a regular basis. The main focus of this book will be on sample preparation, a topic overlooked in most books on atomic spectroscopy. It is aimed at most ICP-OES and ICP-MS users to show that the instrument is useless unless the sample is prepared in a suitable state that can be used to accurately and precisely quantify the metals present. 

Do not stop at the first answer you find but continue to look for better solutions. Make up a list of your own problem-solving bad habits and refer to it when you work a problem. For example, if you usually forget to check for nucleophilicity vs. basicity, write yourself a reminder. Know the common potholes on the route to your answer. 

The possibilities for this kind of problem solving are limitless. Before you continue, you should work Exercises 8-25 at the end of the chapter. 

---