Report presenting an investigation in the 7- by 10-foot tunnel to determine the transonic aerodynamic characteristics of a wing with a spanwise variation in thickness ratio. The wings investigated had 45 degrees of sweepback, aspect ratio 8, taper ratio 0.45, and airfoil sections tapered from an NACA 63A010 section at the root chord to an NACA 63A006 section at the tip chord. Results regarding lift characteristics, drag characteristics, and pitching-moment characteristics are provided.

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This quarterly report details activities in analytical research by the Applied Research Unit of the Nucleonics Division during the months of April, May, and June 1952.

From introduction: Silicon carbide is being considered as a basis material for nonmetallic fuel elements because of its high thermal conductivity, low nuclear cross section, high resistance to thermal rupture, and high degree of stability at high temperature in air. A requirement of the fuel elements is that they be thin and have as low porosity as possible. One shape of element under consideration is 0.050 to 0.070 inch thick by a few inches in width and breadth.

The three main chemical problems of non-aqueous fluidfuel reactors are selection of a fuel system which meets nuclear and thermal requirements, control of corrosion of structural materials, and development of an efficient and economical separation process. The problems of the fastneutron reactor with a core of fused NaCl, PbCl/sub 2/, UCl/sub 4/ mixture and a blanket of fused UCl/ sub 4/ are discussed, except for the separation process. Brief treatment is given the Bi- U - Pu fuel system for thermal reactors, including tentative flowsheets for the separation process. A detailed discussion of the experiments of Bareis at Brookhaven and related experiments on the distribution of various metals between liquid Bi and fused-salt solutions is given, the experimental results correlated, and application made to reactor problems. A general discussion is given of nonaqueous high-temperature separation processes (L.M.T.)

This quarterly report details activities of chemical research by the Separations Technology Unit for the months of October, November, and December 1951.

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Report presenting analytical methods to calculate average and local turbine-blade temperatures. The temperatures were compared with experimental data obtained in a forced-convection, water-cooled aluminum turbine over a range of turbine-inlet-gas temperatures and coolant-mass velocities. Results regarding comparison of calculated and experimental aluminum turbine blade temperatures, comparison of calculated and experimental stationary-blade temperatures, stationary water-cooled blade operating data, and turbine operating data are provided.

Report presenting an investigation of the accuracy of a currently used method for predicting the dynamic lateral oscillatory characteristics of airplanes. The study involved the comparison of controls-fixed flight-test data from several current fighter-type jet airplanes with the calculated values of period and damping for the airplanes.

This report addresses the density-weight percent molarity conversion equations for Uranyl sulfate-water solutions at 25°C and between 100-300°C.

The following report describes a successful procedure used for the determination of americium in the presence of plutonium. Provided are articles listed that describe the research done in developing the method.

The following report describes the process to determine the method for determination of americium in the presence of plutonium and uranium.

Abstract: "A quantitative method for the determination of individual rare earths in thorium down to a level of 0.05 ppm, is described. The procedure consists of a chromatographic cellulose-columns separation followed by a solution-type spectrographic determination. Values are given for the recovery of a number of rare earths using this combined procedure."

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Report discussing an investigation using rocket-propelled vehicles in free flight to determine the effect of fuselage-diameter - wing-span ratio on the damping-in-roll characteristics of delta wings at a range of Mach numbers. The damping-in-roll derivative was found to decrease when the fuselage-diameter - wing-span ratio was increased. The experimental results are compared to calculated values.

This memorandum discusses slug rupture frequency which appears to be a factor that may limit the power level of C Pile. Since additional exposure of Group 8 uranium slugs has increased the available information on the behavior of material similar to that which will be charged into C Pile, a review of this tube power limitation has been made. Utilization of additional data has been possible by use of the revised method of calculating rupture rates discussed in reference (2).

Report presenting a wind-tunnel investigation at low speeds to determine the lateral-control and hinge-moment characteristics of a 20-percent-chord, unsealed, partial-span outboard aileron equipped with an overhang, a paddle, or a spoiler balance on a tapered 51.3 degree sweptback semispan wing model with an aspect ratio of 3.05. The aileron effectiveness was not greatly affected by the overhang or paddle balance, but the spoiler balance increased the effectiveness obtained with the plain flap.

The stator-blade angles in the first four stages of a 16-stage axial-flow compressor were increased in order to decrease the angles of attack of these stages, and thereby to improve part-speed performance. The performance of this modified compressor was compared with that of the same compressor with original blade angles.

From abstract: "Operation of the 86-inch cyclotron has been continuous except for a three-day interruption caused by a water leak inside the vacuum chamber; monthly output has averaged over 210,000 [mu]a-hr; the average continuous (168-hour week) beam power has been approximately 5.5 kw; and the energy of the beam has been determined to be ~19.4 Mev. No changes due to radiation damage have been detected in Inconel tubes containing UF4-NaF-KF eutectic which were irradited in the 96-inch cyclotron with power inputs up to ~415 watts/cc. The major components of the 63-inch cyclotron have been fabricated and are being tested as the machine is being assembled. On the 22-inch cyclotron a radius-wise examination of the fine structure of the proton beam reveals definite proton orbits. Several grams of very pure uranium 235 have been prepared; the chemical recovery for first-stage separation of U 236 has been established as 97%; and facilities for laboratory-scale separation of plutonium isotopes are being prepared."

This report is a memorandum requesting that two swaged thorium rods being held a MIT be sent to the Savannah River Plant for examination. The memorandum is dated October 15, 1952.

Abstract: "The purpose of the investigation was to study the effects of gamma radiation from a cobalt-60 source on the physical properties and halogen evolution from the plastics polyvinyl chloride and polymonochlorotrifluoroethylene. Samples exposed for 2 to 28 days to a source of approximately 25,000 Roentgens per minute showed an appreciable evolution of both fluorine and chlorine. Tests on polymonochlorotrifluoroethylene for tensile, impact, and shear strength showed rapidly decreasing values as the radiation exposure was increased. Similar physical tests on exposed polyvinyl chloride showed increased impact and shear strengths and a lower tensile strength."

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From introduction: This report contains the results of field tests for the U.S. AEC on the use of the seismic geophysical method for tracing "buried channels" in the Monument Valley area, Arizona.

The test established that a practical orifice selecting device can be made and used to control the water flow rate to a process tube at either of two accurately calibrated rates with no loss of accuracy in flow measurement. With the selector tested, there was no flow restriction during the orifice transition. The pressure fluctuations during the change were small in magnitude, and caused no operational problem. The test demonstrated that orifice selection is feasible from operating other factors justify their use.