Transitions Between Micro- and Macro-Engineering

Successful transitions from micro- to macro-engineering are the keys to effective technology transfer between research and development organizations and industrial end users. At the same time, it has proven to be one of the most difficult tasks that the minerals industry has had to manage. Typically, developers of fundamental information concerning how mineral processing subsystems work have been academics and government scientists. These are the individuals giving the most important input to micro-engineering models that can benefit industrial operations. Publication is the usual route for "attempting" to transfer this technology to the end users. Unfortunately, with such publications, very little direct communication occurs concerning real industry needs or the future steps required to make the particular micro-engineering model useful. In the past, the industry has relied on in-house R&D groups and plant metallurgists to "translate" publications, to provide useful macro-engineering tools for plant applications. To some extent, engineering companies have also been asked to serve this function. However, these firms have been rather ineffective in this area since their conservative nature has caused them to look rather suspiciously at new technology. This approach to technology transfer has worked, albeit clumsily, for the last several decades. This communication system is now on the verge of total collapse due to conditions of the minerals industry. Mining companies can no longer afford the significant overhead expenses of specialized technical staffs. Universities are finding it extremely difficult to interest US students in mineral engineering programs, and funding for such programs is weak. Faculty members involved in micro-engineering research today tend to focus on pure (non-application-oriented) research.