Saint Gobain Research Articles

Interview with Paolo Scaroni

The Way Ahead Interview - A conversation with Paolo Scaroni, Chief Executive Officer of Eni. Mr. Scaroni, you are CEO of Eni, one of the largest integrated oil and gas companies, and previously you held the same position with Enel, a prominent actor in the European power market. You seem to like the energy sector, or is it the latter that will not let you go? I am thrilled to be part of an industry that is playing an increasingly central role at all levels of our society, from the political arena—I think of the debates European policymakers have been engaged in during this past winter following the fluctuations in the supply of Russian gas—to the everyday life of each household, and I am proud to be leading one of the world's key players of our industry. No, I am definitely not held hostage by the energy sector; quite the opposite in fact. I feel lucky and privileged. Your career has been very diverse. As a fresh economics graduate, your first job was in the oil business. Later, you joined a consulting company. A high-technology material company followed. What do you carry with you of these early experiences and of those that followed, and how have they helped you shape your perspectives, ideas, and values? I was 22 when I graduated in economics. My first job was with the Italian subsidiary of Chevron, as retail representative for 55 gas stations. The job proved to be an invaluable learning and training opportunity, encompassing some of the key elements of any business, irrespective of its nature: customer relations, procurement management, and, above all, the income statement. I still remember I had one per gas station, which was quite remarkable considering that we were at the beginning of the 1970s. However, even if I was lucky enough to be quickly promoted to retail representative for all 3,000 of Chevron's gas stations in Italy, I never stopped looking for new opportunities, and that is how I successfully applied for an MBA degree at Columbia Business School in New York City. I resigned from my job, sold my car, and with my savings I embarked on the new adventure. When I got back, I joined McKinsey as a consultant. Later, I sent my curriculum vitae to Saint Gobain Italy, whose existence I was aware of only because its headquarters were located in Milan just around the corner from my previous employer, Chevron. It proved to be a pivotal move in my career. So, while luck and chance may always play a part in one's life, I guess the underlying message is: Do not sit still; be proactive, welcome challenges, and hunt for opportunities.

Scintillation properties of O 1/spl times/1 Inch/sup 3/ LaBr/sub 3/: 5%Ce/sup 3+/ crystal

The scintillation properties of the first large O 1/spl times/1 inch/sup 3/ LaBr/sub 3/:5%Ce/sup 3+/ scintillator were studied under /spl gamma/-ray excitation. This crystal is a LaBr/sub 3/:5%Ce/sup 3+/ standard product from Saint Gobain company. The sample was cut and polished by the manufacturer from a larger size crystal boule. It was then assembled in a cylindric aluminum case with a front glass window. The results are compared with those recorded with a 0.4/spl times/0.3/spl bsol/,/spl times/0.5 inch/sup 3/ unpacked crystal. The highest light yield of 21500/spl plusmn/2200 photoelectrons per MeV (60500/spl plusmn/6000 photons per MeV) of absorbed /spl gamma/-ray energy was measured for the unpacked crystal-compared to 16800/spl plusmn/1700 photoelectrons per MeV for the O1/spl times/1 inch/sup 3/ sample. At room temperature the scintillation decays with a decay time of 16/spl plusmn/1 ns. The 0.4/spl times/0.3/spl times/0.5 inch/sup 3/ unpacked crystal-coupled to photomultiplier tube (Hamamatsu R1791) and measured at 662 keV-exhibited an energy resolution of 2.8%, better than the one of the O1/spl times/1 inch/sup 3/ crystal (3.1%). Special attention was devoted to energy and temperature dependencies of scintillation properties: the results show a good proportionality for light output versus /spl gamma/-ray energy. The light output deviates from the linear response of 5% between 20 keV and 2 MeV. Furthermore temperature dependency of gamma-ray excited decay time (80-700 K) does not indicate the presence of thermal quenching from the cerium 5d state. These characteristics suggest a broad range of applications for the LaBr/sub 3/:5%Ce/sup 3+/ scintillator.

Handling production changes online: example using a robotic palletizing system for the automobile glass industry

In this industrial case study paper the problem of handling production variations online, i.e. during actual production, is addressed. These variations may occur when it is not possible to exactly guarantee working conditions during a production cycle or between two consecutive cycles. These variations are common in some types of industries, like the glass and ceramic industry, where the products may change slightly during the production cycle. Since it is common to have two or more different model campaigns during a working day, it should be possible to easily parameterize the production system when a new campaign is started. This paper uses a highly‐efficient robotic palletizing system, developed for the partner company Sekurit Saint Gobain (Portugal), to introduce and explain how these problems may be addressed. The paper includes details about practical implementation, along with discussion of options and obtained operational results, showing it to be a good example of human‐machine co‐operation.

A new paradigm in personal dosimetry using LiF:Mg,Cu,P.

The United States Navy has been monitoring personnel for occupational exposure to ionising radiation since 1947. Film was exclusively used until 1973 when thermoluminescence dosemeters were introduced and used to the present time. In 1994, a joint research project between the Naval Dosimetry Center, Georgetown University, and Saint Gobain Crystals and Detectors (formerly Bicron RMP formerly Harshaw TLD) began to develop a state of the art thermoluminescent dosimetry system. The study was conducted from a large-scale dosimetry processor point of view with emphasis on a systems approach. Significant improvements were achieved by replacing the LiF:Mg,Ti with LiF:Mg,Cu,P TL elements due to the significant sensitivity increase, linearity, and negligible hiding. Dosemeter filters were optimised for gamma and X ray energy discrimination using Monte Carlo modelling (MCNP) resulting in significant improvement in accuracy and precision. Further improvements were achieved through the use of neural-network based dose calculation algorithms. Both back propagation and functional link methods were implemented and the data compared with essentially the same results. Several operational aspects of the system are discussed, including (1) background subtraction using control dosemeters, (2) selection criteria for control dosemeters, (3) optimisation of the TLD readers, (4) calibration methodology, and (5) the optimisation of the heating profile.

Brief History of the B.S.N. / Saint-Gobain Takeover Attempt (December 1968-January 1969)

This article describes B.S.N's vain attempt from December 1968 to January 1969 to takeover Saint-Gobain . The hostile bid was unprecedented in French Economical history, not only for the size of the offer but also for the use of Convertible Bonds. B.S.N.'s bid stemmed from the diversity of Saint-Gobain's shareholders and the poor performance of its share price. However, Saint-Gobain's reaction was equally unprecedented. A vigorous campaign was undertaken in the business press to rectify its tarnished image and shareholders were invited to visit the company in order to consolidate their cultural identity. B.S.N.'s own communication policy failed and the use of convertible bonds was not appreciated. Indeed, Saint Gobain's share price did not fall sufficiently during the bid to entice shareholders to take advantage of B.S.N's proposals.

Essays in Industry and Technology in the Eighteenth Century: England and France

Contents: Introduction Skills, coal and British industry in the eighteenth century Saint Gobain and Ravenhead Attempts to transfer English steel techniques to France in the eighteenth century Michael Alcock and the transfer of Birmingham technology to France before the Revolution Industrial espionage in the eighteenth century Copper and shipping in the eighteenth century The origins of the St Helens glass industry Recent research on the Newcomen engine and historical studies Index.

Glass Wool for Virus Concentration at Ambient Water pH Level

Operating conditions for using oiled sodocalcic glass wool (Saint Gobain R. 725) to concentrate enteroviruses in 100 to 1000 liters samples were determined. These filters recovered from 62 to 75% of several enteroviruses (laboratory strains or field isolates) and rotavirus SA11 that were added to tap water. The technique permitted the recovery of 62% and 57% of poliovirus added respectively to river water and treated waste water. The results of a 44 months survey of the Seine and Mame river waters are reported. Being efficient at ambient pH, the use of glass wool may permit continuous virological monitoring of water samples.

Laminate comprising a mineral fibre web laminate to a metal foil : (Saint Gobain Industries, France) Br Pat 1505 159 (30 March 1978)

Laminate comprising a mineral fibre web laminate to a metal foil : (Saint Gobain Industries, France) Br Pat 1505 159 (30 March 1978)

Aggregates of mineral fibres and thermoplastic materials useful particularly as underlayers for structural sheathing for acoustic insulation : Jumentier, C. and Bonnet, A. (Compagnie de Saint Gobain) US Pat. 3 658 633 (25 Apr 1972)

Aggregates of mineral fibres and thermoplastic materials useful particularly as underlayers for structural sheathing for acoustic insulation : Jumentier, C. and Bonnet, A. (Compagnie de Saint Gobain) US Pat. 3 658 633 (25 Apr 1972)

Graphite-glass composition and method of making same : Godron, Y. G. (Compagnie de Saint Gobain) US Patent 3 624 005 (30 November 1971)

Graphite-glass composition and method of making same : Godron, Y. G. (Compagnie de Saint Gobain) US Patent 3 624 005 (30 November 1971)

Process and apparatus for manufacture of products composed of filaments impregnated with synthetic resin : (Compagnie de Saint Gobain) UK Patent 1 259 085 (5 January 1972)

Process and apparatus for manufacture of products composed of filaments impregnated with synthetic resin : (Compagnie de Saint Gobain) UK Patent 1 259 085 (5 January 1972)

Manufacture of products composed of fibres agglomerated with synthetic resin : (Compagnie de Saint Gobain) UK Patent 1 259 084 (5 January 1972)

Manufacture of products composed of fibres agglomerated with synthetic resin : (Compagnie de Saint Gobain) UK Patent 1 259 084 (5 January 1972)

Manufacture of glass fibres: De Lajarte, S. and Asolo, J. (Compagnie de Saint Gobain) US Patent 3 560 177 (2 February 1971)

Manufacture of glass fibres: De Lajarte, S. and Asolo, J. (Compagnie de Saint Gobain) US Patent 3 560 177 (2 February 1971)

Composite building elements: (Compagnie de Saint Gobain) UK Patent 1 244 735 (2 September 1971)

Composite building elements: (Compagnie de Saint Gobain) UK Patent 1 244 735 (2 September 1971)

Chalet en Somosaguas, Madrid – España

This project has a very specific internal distribution, due to the requirements imposed by the owners, Cie. de Saint Gobain. The purpose of the bungalow is to house the senior members of the firm during their visits to Madrid. Both the external and internal design of volumes and spaces and the Castillan type decoration have been very carefully adapted to its intended purpose.