The KEWB Program is devoted to the study of the dynamic behavior of homogeneous type research reactors. The objectives of this program include studies to develop better and more complete understanding of phenomena which contribute to the kinetic behavior and the inherent safety of the water boiler reactor. The approach to the objectives has heen to construct a prototype 50 kw homogeneous reactor with the necessary auxiliary apparatus and to study the transient behavior of the system as a function of the more significant parameters which affect this behavior. These include the amount of reactivity release, rate of reactivity release, initial core pressure, initial core temperature, initial reactor power, and void volume above the core. Data are plotted. (auth)

A general survey is presented of information in the uranium alloy field. Emphasis is centered on alpha uranium-rich alloys of special interest as uranium- base fuel element materials. The systems treated include uranium-molybdenum, uranium-silicon, uraniumzirconium, uranium-niobium, and uranium-zirconiumniobium (high uranium compositions). The uraniumfissium alloys are discussed in relation to their projected applications as fast reactor fuels. Equilibrium diagrams, transformation kinetics, and other pertinent data are presented for the uranium plus fissium'' element systems, e.g., uranium-ruthenium, uranium-rhodium, uraninum-palladium, and uraniummolybdenum-ruthenium. The properties covered include constitution phase diagrams, metallographic structure, physical and mechanicaly properties, transformation kinetics, crystallographic structure, thermal cycling, ad irradiation stability (where pertinent). Correlations between microstructure, heat treatment, and dimensional stability are emphasized, with particular reference to the U-2 wt.% Zr, U-5 wt.% Zr, and 1 1/2 wt.% Nb alloys. A discussion of the role of alloying and heattreatment in improving the dimensionaly stability and corrosion resistance of uraaium is presented, and an evaluation is made of the present status in attaining these objectives. (auth)

Papers are presented in the following major categories: applied metallurgical research, natural-uranium metallic fuel elements, enriched-uranium metallic fuel elements, nonmetallic fuel elements, corrosion of U alloys, irradiation effects on U, its alloys, and its compounds, and Pu fuel elements. (M.H.R.)