Technical innovations

Production of a metal is usually achieved by a sequence of chemical processes represented as a flow sheet. A limited number of unit processes are commonly used in extractive metallurgy. The combination of these steps and the precise conditions of operations vary significantly from metal to metal, and even for the same metal these steps vary with the type of ore or raw material. The technology of extraction processes was developed in an empirical way, and technical innovations often preceded scientific understanding of the processes. 

After the Second World War, the technical innovations, both in steelmaking and in the physical metallurgy of steels, continued apace. A number of industrial research laboratories were set up around the world, of which perhaps the most influential was the laboratory of the US Steel Corporation in Pennsylvania, where some world-... 

The factors that favour successful industrial innovation have been memorably analysed by a team at the Science Policy Research Unit at Sussex University, in England (Rothwell et al. 1974). In this project (named SAPPHO) 43 pairs of attempted similar innovations one successful in each pair, one a commercial failure - were critically compared, in order to derive valid generalisations. One conclusion was The responsible individuals (i.e., technical innovator, business innovator, chief executive, and - especially - product champion) in the successful attempts are usually more senior and have greater authority than their counterparts who fail . 

The prime technical innovator and product champion for glass-ceramics was a physical chemist, S. Donald Stookey (b. 1915 Figure 9.14), who Joined the Corning Laboratory in 1940 after a chemical doctorate at MIT. He has given an account of... 

During the late 1890s, bicycles were the worldwide focus of invention and technical innovation, much as biotech engineering and computers are today. We owe iiiaiiy ot today s industrial maiiutacturing processes, designs for bearings, axles, and gearing mechanisms,... 

Medicinal products that contribute significant therapeutic, scientific or technical innovation, or are in the interests of patient health. 

Patents are the most important and strongest type of intellectual property. Patents protect inventions or technical innovations. Patents do not protect new designs (these are protected by copyright or registered designs), nor do... 

Thus, in order to fully realize the potential of catalytic technologies not only will this require technical innovation in multi-disciplinary teams but also the appropriate organizational structures which maximize the synergies between academic and industrial research. The countries which recognize this potential and provide the... 

This chapter illustrates that the potential of scC02 for reaction engineering of homogeneous catalysis offers a great scope for possible scientific and technical innovation. This newly emerging field of catalysis research lies at the interface of molecular sciences and process engineering and its future development will require truly interdisciplinary efforts from experts in both fields. 

A number of other issues must now be addressed including determining if the IgG-protein A affinity is sufficiently high to keep the antibody associated with the virus in vivo. The full potential of this approach will also require more detailed characterization of surface markers uniquely associated with different cell types. However, the approach exemplifies the types of technical innovation now being introduced that will make second-generation vectors more suited to their role in gene therapy. 

Technical Innovations, June, 3-5, 2016, 2,195-197. Jalandhar, Punjab, India,... 

In many cases simply substituting one substance for another is not enough. Generally technical innovations must accompany orgarusational and institutional innovations. The change processes must be orgarused between the employees or various departments within a company. Moreover, co-ordination between various companies is required or a favourable time frame has to be adapted. The new substance may not hinder combination with other components. 

Risk avoidance often faces conflicts in objectives. In this way substance innovations for improved fire and explosion protection in the second half of the last century also made a major contribution to many environmental and health risks discussed today CFCs, PCB, chlorinated solvents, brominated flame retardants and also cutting oils in emulsion form must be mentioned at this point. This means that chemical/technical innovation originally aimed to achieve more operational safety. Additional improvements related to environmental or health aspects were not taken into account at the time of the innovation. 

It is too presumptuous to recommend that the promotion of competition should be introduced as one of the most important measures to drive innovation. Competition is a decisive motor, but it tends only to increases the pressure and cannot always improve the ca-pabihty for innovation at the same time. In some cases, havens appear to be important for the development of innovation. It is no coincidence that the application areas of the military, medicine and sport are highly significant areas for technical innovation. In these areas, the cost push tends to be secondary with the result that technical effectiveness can be concentrated on fully, at least for some of the time. The concept of regulatory induced initially limited lead markets for environmentally friendly innovations also refers to such learning areas where new ideas and concepts can develop first of all (cf on this latter subject e.g. Beise, Reimings 2003). 

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