Most of the publications in the open literature available to us agree that sodium does not readily react with graphite, though potassium, rubidium, and cesium readily enter between the planes of the graphite lattice. In view of the conflicting evidence available, it seems inadvisable without very extensive further study to consider the use of graphite in direct contact with liquid sodium, except under very mild conditions of temperature and irradiation, and then only with very pure sodium and completely graphitized graphite.

This technical report represents a brief survey of work by this project on the effects of ultraviolet radiation (UV) on certain of the photochemical and metabolic properties of rhubarb chard and sugar beet (Beta vulgaris). These plants were selected for this work because for some years they have been used as sources of chloroplasts for Hill reaction studies in this laboratory. Some of this work has appeared as a brief paper.

Fused uranium dioxide was separated into fractions of varying particle size by air separation. Specimens of the nominal size of 1/8 by 1/4 by 1½ in. were formed by hydrostatic pressing, firing, and lapping. Specimens prepared from the 0 to 5 μ fraction were the strongest and most dense. The room-temperature density was about 92% of theoretical and the room-temperature flexural strength was about 12,000 1b. per sq. in. When tested at 1000°C., the strength was about 18,000 1b. per sq. in. The flexural strength of specimens decreased and their density decreased as the starting particle size was increased. The crystallization of the urania fragments which had occurred during the firing treatment was observed.

During this period a prototype gamma ray detection system was assembled and data was obtained on samples of beryllium salts on filter paper under a variety of conditions. Ordinarily either a scaler-register combination or the CRM-recorder combination would be sufficient for obtaining data. Both units have been used here in order to utilize the particular advantages of each system. The scaler-register unit was employed for obtaining precise data over short intervals while the CRM-recorder was used to maintain a check on stability over longer intervals of time.

Part A. The major effort during the past year has been the construction of a suitable vacuum furnace for studying the effects of temperature and pressure on the wettability of metals by glass. A systems was completed that was capable of subjecting test combinations up to temperatures of 1400 degree C at a working pressure of 1 x 10(-5) mm. of Hg. Part B. A compound, identified by X-ray analysis as sodium meta tantalate (na2Ta2O6), was found at the interface between a sodium silicate glass and tantalum metal which had been heated in vacuum to 1000 degree C. thermodynamic calculations, followed by further experimental evidence, were used to determine the chemical reaction between tantalum and sodium silicate which resulted in the formation of Na2Ta3O6. the compound was synthesized by other methods, and its structure investigated.

1) The technical details of controlled experiments with iontophoresis of thorium X solutions are described. 2) Experiments carried out on living human skin in situ demonstrate that Iontophoresis of weak solutions of thorium X will increase its biologic effects as judged by erythema and pigmentation, and cause greater penetration as shown by autoradiography. 3) The possible relationship between increased penetration of thorium X and increased clinical biologic effects is discussed. 4) Some possible clinical applications of the Iontophoresis of thorium X to enhance its therapeutic effectiveness are mentioned.

The object of the work performed under this contract was to investigate the possibility of gas plating copper base metal with (a) pure chromium metal from chromium hexacarbonyl vapor; (b) chromium-nickel plating from a mixture of chromium hexacarbonyl and nickel tetracarbonyl. The object of the work performed during the final month was to confirm the fact that the gas plating of chromium metal and chromium-nickel laminates free from nitrides, oxides and carbides was practical.

The primary purpose of this contract is to develop and exploit techniques for the precision measurement of nuclear energy levels by the spectroscopic study of gamma-rays emitted during the decay of radioisotopes, (1) by the use of a high resolving power curved crystal focusing spectrometer to study wavelengths and intensities of gamma-rays themselves, (2) by means of a precision beta-ray spectrometer to study the conversion lines from gamma-rays both by internal conversion and with external converters.

"The effect of correcting quadrupole lenses on the betatron oscillation characteristics of an AG synchrotron was studied, and general formulas are given for the fractional changes of the amplitude and phase functions. Calculations performed for different setups of different numbers of lenses for the CEA synchrotron structure point out that one may correct for sizable errors in the n- value by means of 8 pairs of quadrupole lenses in two consecutive straight sections with the focusing lens between defocusing sectors and vice versa. An increase of BETA /sub max/ of about 5% is obtained for DELTA n/n approximately 0.04. It was found that the necessary corrections can probably be obtained satisfactorily with lenses of 6 in. length. "

"A summary is presented of a preliminary study of the application of pole- face windings to the Cambridge Electron Accelerator. Estimates are made of the currents required, the forces on the wibdings and the voltages induced by the magnetic flux. The possibility of automatic control of the pole-face currents in explored, and feasible control systems are suggested."

To summarize one finds that for diffusion in a temperature gradient by a vacancy mechanism one must have E(M) < E(F). No such restrictions occur for interstitial diffusion. The spatial vacancy distribution is very nearly the equilibrium distribution if dislocations are present. If no dislocations are present then one could obtain E(M) by measurement of the spatial distribution.

A simple non-destructive chemical method for the identification of cadmium plating is presented. The test requires no special techniques or equipment and may be conducted in less than fifteen seconds.

Since the inauguration of the Off-Site Animal Investigation project n 1957, there has been one annual report rendered as of 30 June 1958. this is the second annual report dated as of 30 June 1959. The objectives of the project have been unchanged during the past year. These are (1) to enhance the Nevada Test Site/off-site rancher relationship through an active investigation project in their interests, and (2) to provide further information as to the status of the off-site animals in their environment, with special emphasis on their radioactive isotope uptake from fall-out. isotope uptake of the animals is being emphasized as well as the gross and microscopic histopathological examinations. Two year's existence in an area of radio-contamination where a full fission spectrum of isotopes can be found, where radiation background reading range from 1/2 mr per hour to 1 = per hour, has produced no noticeable effect on the animals.