Progress reports from four divisions are included: (1) Division of Biophysics; (2) Division of Clinical Investigation; (3) Division of Nucleoprotein Chemistry; and (4) Radiochemistry Section.

The direct reading height gauge is a new and fast operating instrument designed primarily for checking hole patterns, but it can also be used for a number of other purposes as well. This report gives a brief review of what the gauge is, what it will do, and how it is operated. Speed and the elimination of most of the sources of error are its chief attributes.

Equipment lists and operating procedures are present for a laundry designed to wash contaminated clothing.

Work has continued on the development of accurate nuclear fuel burnup analysis. Work performed during the fourth quarter is summarized here.

Kilogram quantities of delta-stabilized and pure plutonium turnings can be cast directly into ingots of normal quality with high yields. This report describes the equipment and process used.

A preliminary evaluation of the autoclave corrosion behavior of a series of U-low C alloys and a series of U-low Zr alloys prepared by Fuels Fabrication Development Operation has been made. The corrosion testing was conducted by Coatings and Corrosion Operation by the experimental methods and procedure outlined in HW-61378.

This document describes required laboratory space and lists major equipment items necessary for a routine water quality laboratory in the P. R. T. R. Building. During discussions with R. D. Widrig and V. L. Rooney about the analytical sample program for the Plutonium Recycle Test Reactor, the author was asked to summarize equipment and space needs for a water control laboratory to provide routine analytical coverage on some of the water systems. Based upon 1706-KE-KER experience, some operating personnel may be used to provide analytical coverage on those routine analyses that are needed on around-the-clock basis with a savings of both time and money.

Preliminary data are enclosed in Tables I, II, II, IV, V, and VI. Tables I to V are data for round nickel tubes in a vertical and inclined (45°) position. Table VI contains some preliminary data for nickel rectangular channels (0.060" and 0.050" spacings) in a vertical position.

"The grafting of methacrylic acid, styrene (2: 1 mole ratio) co-monomer mixture on polypropylene film and fabric, was studied to compare electron accelerators and isotopes as sources of radiation. An aluminum block that contalns i/8-in.-deep pockets covered with Mylar film for holding sample and monomer during mutual irradiatlon was developed. A preliminary comparison was made in post grafting polypropylene film and fabric preirradiated with Cow and with an electron accelerator source. It was found that post grafting was rapid at 80 ts C but slow at room temperature. Monomer equilibration before irradiation increased the grafting rate. Higher grafts were obtained when samples were irradiated in sparged and sealed containers. The grafting rate increased as dose rate decreased."

It was demonstrated by differential thermal analysis (DTA) that: 1. Catastrophic amounts of energy can be stored in diamond. 2. Even at low irradiations, the release takes place over serval hundred degrees, indicating a spectrum of activation energies. 3. At higher irradiations, the stored energy release is considerably less than the increased energy contents and seems not to have been completely released even at the highest temperatures reached. 4. There is some indication of an increased heat capacity below the temperature of stored energy release. It was shown by DTA that large amounts of energy can be stored in silicon carbide on irradiation. The release was found to be spread out over a greater range of temperatures than in diamond and indicated a larger and higher group of activation energies. Catastrophic release was not achieved. The amount of stored energy released over the range of temperatures used was 140 cal/g in a sample irradiated in a water-cooled test hole at HEW for an exposure of 265 Mwd/aT.

Various properties of BeH/sub 2/ are predicted, based on the properties of neighboring hydrides. Included are predictions of the stability of the Be-H bond, the stability of an ionic lattice for BeH/sub 2/, polymeric structure, and density.

A report regarding variations in isotopic abundances of strontium, calcium, and argon and related topics

Foils of plutonium 239 and uranium 235 have been mounted back to back in a dual ionization fission chamber in the diffracted beam of the Hanford neutron crystal spectrometer. A quantity proportional to the ration of fission cross sections of Pu239 to U235 has been measured as a function of neutron energy from 0.020 to 1.0 electron volts. The results of this investigation are presented graphically in the text.

The objective of the Accurate Nuclear Fuel Burnup Analyses program is to develop more accurate methods for burnup analysis for general use than the current method of analysis of Ca-137 or Sr-90. The program will require from three to five years of effort.

Abstract: "As a possible aid in the selection of ceramic materials for use in the fabrication of high-temperature reactor elements, the reported properties of 23 refractory oxidation-resistance ceramic compounds are tabulated. The thermal stresses and heat throughout capacities for nine of these compounds are estimated for conditions of steady heat flow and uniform heat generation in the temperature range of 1500 to 2500 F. The compounds studied have macroscopic thermal-neutron-absorption cross sections lower than 0.2 per centimeter. Data concerning the high-temperature stability of uranium compounds are tabulated for those with melting points above 2450 F."

The following quarterly progress report covers the period of August 15 to November 15, 1962. It summarizes three activities of the group. The first part is the optical study of the absorption band associated with the F-center in RbCl. The second part discusses some elementary calculations of the spin-lattice relaxation times, the primary purpose of this step is to indicate the nature of the theoretical problem faced and show the large gap between the value calculated theoretically and measured experimentally. The last section includes more data on the shape and recovery of the hole in a EPR band associated with the F-center in KCl.

Abstract: "Probes were used to measure certain properties of the cloud of positive ions and electrons ejected from a pulsed ion source having two hydrogen-loaded electrodes. Time-of-flight measurements show: the presence of H+ ions with 50 ev directed energy; an increase of this energy with increasing pulse current in the source; a higher peak yield of ions with higher peak currents in the source; and higher yields and higher ion energies up to 110 ev have been recorded with the use of a pulsed magnetic field impressed upon the source. The neutral positive ion-electron beam from the source has been projected against an increasing magnetic field and the reflected and transmitted signals have been recorded and compared as a function of the magnetic field. Probe signals from the plasma as it encounters the magnetic field are oscillatory, suggesting that magnetohydrodynamic phenomena are presented."

A report discussing a more general analysis of "the relation between plasma pressure in the Astron [Thermonuclear Reactor] and the magnetic field of the E-layer" which is described in UCRL-5032. The analysis given in this report has "no restriction to the exponential form and [satisfies] the condition that the pressure at the axis shall be zero."

Report discussing the properties of plutonium and plutonium's distribution between hexone and aqueous phases, which relates to the function of Redox plants

A report which compares the creep properties of 15 percent cold-worked zircaloy-2 and of annealed zircaloy-2 is being made.

A report about the mechanical and physical properties of selected uranium alloys.

A report about a study of the effect of irradiation on the thermal conductivity of uranium.

From abstract: A team consisting of R. A. Lindblom, S. A. Mayer, R. G. Young, W. L. Chenoweth, R. F. Droullard, and I. T. Fisk made a reexamination of the Anderson mine (Uranium Aire) of Interstate Oil and Development located near Wickenberg in Yavapai County, Arizona. The field examination was made from August 22, 1958 to September 2, 1958. This team was formed to resolve differences between company and AEC ore reserve estimates. A cooperative effort in which the company supplied labor, limited additional drilling and both parties were in attendance during the sampling resulted in the collection of additional data. Special attention was given to assessing the in-hole assaying with radiometric equipment by IOD and AEC, evaluation of tonnage factors, moisture content, continuity of ore, and current mapping of stripped and mined areas.

Introduction: This report has been prepared to document the extensive analytical work required to design the control system for the Sodium Components Test Installation (SCTI), constructed for the Atomic Energy Commission at the Atomics International field laboratory.