Abstract: "Creep and creep-rupture tests were made on 25-O aluminum sheet at temperatures of 500 and 550 C. The estimated stresses that will produce 0.5 per cent deformation and rupture in 10,000 hours at 400, 450, 500, and 550 C (data at 400 and 450 C are from BMI-T-29, dated June 9, 1950) are presented."

From abstract: "A method for fabricating 30-in.-long stainless steel - uranium dioxide sheet was developed and the properties of the fabricated sheet were investigated."

Quarterly progress report describing work related to a study of radiation physics problems involved in the design of high-level cesium-137 gamma sources. It outlines work completed and ongoing goals for the project.

The following report focuses on an investigation made to determine if vacuum melting was an absolutely necessary step in the metallurgical process of melting and casting uranium.

"This symposium is concerned with the basic aspects of radiation effects. When we turn to the genetic effects of radiation in mammals, there are so few aspects on which there is any information that the problem of sorting out the fundamental findings has hardly arisen. In this paper it will, therefore, be possible to survey most of what is known and pass on to a consideration of what is needed next. Since one of the purposes of this symposium is an interchange of views between investigators in different fields, an attempt will be made to avoid technical details. Among the practical needs in mammalian radiation genetics is a pressing one for more data on which to base estimates of the genetic hazards of radiation in man. The present paper will be concerned largely with this problem. Our own work is directed primarily in this direction, our objective being to uncover some of the basic facts in at least one mammal-the mouse. Before discussing the experimental work, however, it seems desirable to consider some of the general features of the genetic hazard of radiation."

From abstract: "A full-scale, always-safe, metal dissolver for Experimental Breeder Reactor fuel was designed, built, and installed for test operation. It was found that the dissolver operated satisfactorily, and feasible operating procedures were established for the dissolution of bare, or jacketed, EBR slugs. Minor modifications of the dissolver design have been required to accomodate [sic] a modified EBR slug, but it is believed that this will not significantly affect its operating characteristics."

Abstract: "The elastic double scattering of deuterons by complex nuclei has been investigated experimentally. Measurements were made on carbon, aluminum, and copper at around 157 Mev; on lithium, beryllium, and carbon at around 125 Mev; and on carbon and aluminum at 94 Mev. The expected tensor components of the deuteron polarization have not been observed. Measurements have been made of the differential cross section and vector-type polarization as a function of angle for the scattering of deuterons from the above elements, at the above energies. The observed polarizations were larger than would be expected on the basis of the individual nucleon-nucleus interactions. In a second experiment we measured the 169-Mev proton-proton polarization at 10, 15, 22.5, 30, and 35 in the laboratory system. The results indicate that partial waves up to and including L = 3 are important at this energy."

Summary: "The laboratory data collected during the metallurgical evaluation of these rods indicate that lower rolling temperatures increased the ultimate and yield strength, the amount of cold work, and the degree of preferred orientation existing in these uranium rods."

Abstract: "A batch of slugs is being prepared for which the U-235 content will be 1.75 per cent, and it is of interest to calculate the minimum number of such slugs required for a critical assembly in water. Using Handbook (CL-697) methods, a critical assembly of these slugs arranged in a lattice with a spacing of 5.5 cm."

The following report deals with the application of the water boiler neutron source to the exponential experiments in an attempt to speed up lattice testing measurements.

This report describes a completed counter experiment to measure the attenuation of K+ mesons in various materials.

This report presents the best estimate possible on the basis of the available information as to how high an energy would be necessary in order that the gas pressure which could be tolerated would be attainable with present techniques (say 10-(-7) mm Hg.)

Abstract: "Measurements have been made on pseudo-cylindrical graphite-enriched uranium unreflected systems. These measurements include both critical mass determinations and time dependent measurements using a pulsed neutron source to drive the assemblies."

Report discussing a plasma containment configuration which appears to have no escape cone. From abstract: "Arguments are given to show how the containment process works, including experimental evidence deduced from published reports on "electromagnetic levitation."

Abstract: "The cross section for the reaction Al²⁷(p,3pn)Na²⁴ has been measured for proton energies between 30 and 350 Mev relative to the cross section for the reaction C12(p,3pn)C11, and the absolute magnitude determined by matching with data measured with a Faraday cup at 350 Mev and at 31.5 Mev."

Abstract: "This paper describes an electrical readout, decade counter employing the magnetron beam switching tube with transistor drive. Double pulse resolution is one microsecond. The unit will accept a variety of transistor types and will tolerate supply voltage variations of +/- 20% at ambient temperatures up to 60 C. A "Pixie" neon indicator is driven without the use of additional transistors. A readout circuit for printer on punched paper tape is presented."

The following report discusses technical problems with ion cyclotron waves, and to suggest a possible application to ion magnetron work.

"The object of this note is to outline an Omnitron source scheme where the sheath voltage of the Omnitron is not carried over into the reactor region."

From introduction: "On February 1, 1956, Batelle was awarded a contract by the Army Reactor Branch (ARB) to select, develop, and test core materials which could be used successfully in conducting a Gas Cooled Reactor Experiment (GCRE). The prime objective of the GCRE would be to evaluate small portable reactor systems for military application...The present report is concerned with the GCRE activities at Batelle during approximately the 7 months' period following the first report of this series, BMI-1133. It is primarily concerned with a detailed evaluation of the reference materials as well as of the impact of one material upon the other."

Abstract: The nonmetallic inclusions in both as-reduced and fabricated dingot uranium have been studied for comparison with those in ingot uranium. Special attention was paid to the hydride for the purpose of determining the amount and distribution in the various types of uranium. The types and distribution of other inclusions were also studied. It was found that the dingot uranium was of a higher quality than ingot uranium and was comparable to as-reduced derby uranium on the basis of over-all inclusion count. The hydrogen content in dingot uranium, however, was found to be appreciably higher than in either ingot or derby uranium.

Report discussing a method of evaluating factors relevant to the creation of sound uranium castings. From abstract: "A mathematical model has been developed to calculate the time-temperature relationships in a cylindrical uranium casting during its solidification. Finite-difference equations are used, and the solution is obtained by use of a digital computer."

Abstract: "Fabrication techniques for making metal-ceramic fuel elements containing 60 to 90 volume per cent of UN or UO2 in a Type 302B stainless steel matrix was investigated. A hot press-forging procedure was most successful for fabricating fuel cores with a density of 90 per cent of theoretical or better. This procedure consisted of sealing the cold-pressed core compacts in stainless steel picture-frame packs, heating to 1900 F, and pressing to a total reduction in thickness of 35 per cent. A pressure of approximately 50 tsi ores used. Specimens produced by this method were evaluated on the basis of their microstructure, modules if rupture, electrical conductivity, and resistance to thermal shock. Microscopic and macroscopic examination showed the presence of a continuous metal skeleton even in specimens containing 90 volume per cent fuel. The modulus of rupture at room temperature varied from 22,500 psi for a specimen cnotaining 63 volume per cent UO2. Both the electrical conductivity and resistance to thermal shock of UO2 were improved by the addition of a small volume of metal. Gas-pressure-bonding techniques appear promising for clodding these cores into composite elements."

Report presenting results of a study regarding the critical masses and nuclear properties of plutonium as well as the use and effects of various tampers.

"In these studies ions of several-kilovolts energy were extracted from an ion source located inside one of the peaks of the mirror field...The extraction slot of the source is located near the field injection plane, about midway between the mirror peak and the center, and ions are injected perpendicularly to magnetic field lines. In their traversal of the distance between the mirrors, the ions are in an inhomogeneous magnetic field and have a component of velocity along curved field lines. This gives rise to a to a 'guiding center' drift in the azimuthal direction and prevents the particle trajectory from intersecting the ion source after the first reflection. The magnetic field is increased during the injection period by an amount sufficient to move the reflection surface inside the ion source region by the time the ions have precessed completely about the symmetry axis."