Abstract: "X-ray and microscopic examination of slags from uranium metal production bombs which gave good and bad yields in the plant at St. Louis have indicated the significance of uranium oxide formation. Apparently the oxide (UO2) results from reaction of the UF4 with linear material, particularly with moisture in the liner."

Report discussing laboratory investigations of thorium nitrate purification. Batch equilibrium data, solubility data, viscosity data, density data, and the results seven batch countercurrent extraction tests and two selective stripping tests are included.

From introduction: This report presents the results of the two phases of the work: study of the compatibility of beryllia bodies with a coating material, molybdenum; and studies of beryllia-beryllium body fabrication.

From abstract: "This report describes the construction and operation of a mixer-settler pilot plant for the purification of mantle-grade thorium nitrate. The liquid-liquid extraction process utilized 30% tributyl phosphate - 70% 'Solvesso-100' as the organic solvent and nitric acid as the salting agent. Continuous steady-state operation of the equipment was demonstrated, with very good recovery of thorium."

Introduction: "During the early planning of the multicurie cells at Hanford it was decided that a slave type manipulator would be necessary to perform the experiments for which the cells were being designed. The design required steel roofs for installation through a port hole in the face. Technical Services Equipment Development began developing the proposed manipulator in January 1951 by making a study of those existing at that tune. None met the requirements which had been established; therefore, the design of a special manipulator was started immediately."

Report documenting the suitability of West Virginia for plant locations to produce synthetic liquid fuels, based on raw materials, water sources, and local interest.

Report presenting an experimental investigation of the pressure distributions on a hemispherical nose 3.98 inches in diameter, mounted on a cylindrical support, at several Mach and Reynolds numbers. The Reynolds number was based on body diameter and free-stream conditions. Pressure-drag coefficients were calculated and good agreement was obtained with other testing.

The following report describe the effect of plasma oscillations using a table-top model and the probable magnitude of the quantities needed to reach complete ionization.

Abstract: High Velocity disturbance are observed to propagate in advance of the plane shock front along the walls of a high-explosive-operated shock tube. Experiments were performed which indicate that the disturbance proceeds at a constant velocity relative to the shock front, and carries a considerable amount of energy as evidenced by its ability to penetrate metal plates. The velocity of a similar disturbance observed along a rod placed on the axis of the shock tube normal to the plane shock front was essentially independent of the rod material and diameter. This phenomenon was observed when shock tubes were filled with argon or chlorine but was absent when air or helium was used.

Report discussing a method for uranium spectography. The analytical procedures are described in detail, as well as the restocking and maintenance procedures that are associated with the method.

Quarterly report of the Chemistry Division at the University of California Radiation Laboratory providing updates for each department about current findings and ongoing research.

Simple expression are derived for the time dependence of slowing down of neutrons in a simple media. In Section I, a method suggested by age theory is used, while in section II, a two parameter scattering function is employed. Results are compared with exact calculations.

The possibility of overshooting the anticipated normal acceleration as a result of the artificial-feel characteristics of the F-89C airplane at a condition of minimum static stability was investigated analytically by means of an electronic simulator. Several methods of improving the stick-force characteristics were studied. It is shown that, due to the lag in build-up of the portion of the stick force introduced by the bobweight, it would be possible for excessive overshoots of normal acceleration to occur in abrupt maneuvers with reasonable assumed control movements. The addition of a transient stick force proportional to pitching acceleration (which leads the normal acceleration) to prevent this occurring would not be practical due to the introduction of an oscillatory mode to the stick-position response. A device to introduce a viscous damping force would Improve the stick-force characteristics so that normal acceleration overshoots would not be likely, and the variation of the maximum stick force in rapid pulse-type maneuvers with duration of the maneuver then would have a favorable trend.

This technical report presents the process design for the thorium semi-works plant which will be located at the Feed Materials Production Center, Fernald, Ohio. It contains the process information required for the layout and detailed mechanical design of the thorium plant.

Quarterly progress report for the Chemistry Division of the University of California Radiation Laboratory: nuclear chemistry, bio-organic chemistry, metals and high temperature thermodynamics, basic chemistry, and chemical engineering.

The Helium Leak Detector Test provides a method for detecting the presence of minute holes, cracks, fissures, etc. in the aluminum jackets of Hanford and Savannah River reactor fuel slugs which would allow moisture to penetrate to the uranium during reactor operation.

This quarterly progress report discusses ongoing research and experiments at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the Metallurgy Division. This report discusses (1) water-cooled reactors, (2) liquid metal-cooled reactors, (3) reactor development - fuel metallurgy, (4) reactor development - component metallurgy, (5) basic metallurgy, (6) basic ceramics, (7) aqueous corrosion, and (8) applied metallurgy.