In an effort to gain information on the nature of the photon-meson and photon-nucleon interaction, a study of the artificial production of mesons by photons has been made at the Berkeley synchrotron. The major effort of this research was concentrated on a measurement of the energy and angular distribution of u+-mesons produced when the photons strike a target of liquid hydrogen. Detection of the mesons is accomplished electronically by the technique of delayed coincidence.

Abstract: "A measurement of the heat liberated when chlorine trifluoride reacts with water has been made in a simple Dewar calorimeter. The chlorine trifluoride vapor was bubbled into approximately 20 moles of water; the weight of material used, heat equivalent of the calorimeter, and the temperature rise of the water and calorimeter were determined. From these data an average value for the heat of reaction was calculated to be 81.0 +/- 0.4 kcal/mole. Analysis of the reaction solution and evolved gas showed the following to be present: hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen chloride, chlorine, oxygen, and probably oxygen-chlorine compounds."

Technical report containing the detailed design of the equipment within the reactor shield, reviewed in 1950. Contains various summaries on engineering design and development, reactor physics, chemical studies, and corrosion.

This report covers the laboratory and pilot plant investigation of the reclamation of the low hafnium zirconium fines resulting from the manufacture of zirconium sponge and zirconium crystal bar. The process investigated involved recovery of the zirconium as zirconium tetrachloride, by drying the fines in an atmosphere of nitrogen and subsequent chlorination of the fines with anhydrous hydrogen chloride at temperatures above the sublimation point of the product.

This preliminary report follows the investigation on the determination of thermal neutron flux in water by the foil method.

The following report provides data describing the total electron beam current as a function of A-12 beam radius. The beam is investigated using the provided equations.

Report discussing the possibility of structural damage which is most likely to lead to dangerous release of radioactive materials, as well as "the effect of sudden loss to vacuum in a device such as that described in "Engineering Analysis, Mark 2 (4-28-51)."

Abstract: Mesas 1 1/2 and II 1/2 were investigated in October 1951, to determine the extent and degree of uranium mineralization in the Salt Wash sandstone. Carnotite-vanoxite-type minerals are sufficiently concentrated to recommend 14,600 feet of drilling.

Report discussing the progress of various research projects by members of the Mathematics Panel at Oak Ridge National Laboratory for the quarter ending April 30, 1952.

The Technical Data Book compiles useful chemical and physical data of feed materials, chemicals, uranium intermediates and end products of the FMPC, Fernald, Ohio. The data presented encompass the process operations involved in the original integrated FMPC project, the uranium hexafluoride reduction plant and the throium plant.

Abstract: "The reaction between nitrogen and carbon dioxide, under irradiation with 40 Mev alpha particles from the Berkeley 60 inch cyclotron, was studied at gas temperatures near 50 C and total pressures of about 600 millimeters of Hg, contained in Pyrex capsules. The range of gas compositions investigated included the pure components, as well as mixtures with and without trace oxygen. In all mixtures, a steady state concentration of nitrogen oxides of about 0.15 millimeter was reached after a few microampere hours exposure. The mass-spectrometer analytical procedure employed did not permit identification of the individual species of oxides present. This report is based on studies conducted for the Atomic Energy Commission under Contract AT-11-1-GEN-8."

Abstract: "The determination of trace concentrations of uranium in synthetic materials, ores, soils and water by neutron radioactivation analysis is described. The principles of the activation analysis method as applied to trace uranium determination, the processing of irradiated specimens, and some examples of the results obtained by this method of analysis are discussed in this paper."

A first iteration of the diffusion theory result is executed for the thermal flux distribution in a 7.5" graphite-uranium lattice cell using the integral equation formulation of transport theory.

The following report describes a reactor that was designed to provide a research facility for testing various materials in a high intensity radiation field.

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Report discussing the progress made on various research projects at North American Aviation during the quarter from January to March 1954.

Abstract: "A simple detector for determining the presence of UF6 in a stream of HF, UF4, and dissociated NH3 is described. The basic detection element is a sensitized piece of carbon rod. The unit has proved satisfactory on production equipment."

Report outlining the relation of the ASTM flash point of oil, a rough measure of the safety of storage and use when oil sparks, to other directly determinable physical properties. Summarizes the data on vapor pressures, boiling curves, and flash points of various hydrocarbon diluents.

Abstract: "The deuterium plasma which is ejected by a 6000-ampere pulsed current through a rail-type spark source has a yield in the forward direction which is a factor of 5 to 10 greater than that in the perpendicular direction. This effect is believed to be due to the magnetic propulsion of the plasma."

As an aid in forecasting possible blast damage in areas distant from a bomb burst point, a special-purpose electronic analog computer has been developed. Sound ray paths (orthogonal trajectories to sound wave front) are computed as a function of meteorological conditions.

Abstract: An investigation of ionization by shock waves in hydrogen has been initiated. The shock waves are produced in a 1-inch diameter glass pipe by a high-voltage spark at one end. Variables which will influence attainment of the maximum degree of ionization and ion temperature are described. Spectroscopic methods of measuring ion density and temperature are outlined, and improvements in the design of the shock tube are discussed.

A generalization of the Lindemann law is used in connection with the Murnaghan equation of state for a solid to derive theoretically the empirical Simon equation for the fusion curve. For the alkali metals it is shown that experimental values of the temperature exponent in the Simon equation are quantitatively compatible with the theoretical evaluation given, and, furthermore, that the theory can predict approximate values of the experiment, in practice.

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.

Abstract: "Since the first report on the use of amines as uranium extractants (ORNL-1734) over eighty additional organo-nitrogen compounds have been examined for their ability to extract uranium from aqueous solutions, particularly sulfate solutions, of the types usually encountered in uranium ore processing. As before, the more promising of these (as well as other compounds previously reported) have been examined further with respect to other characteristics essential to practical application, i.e., reagent loss to the aqueous phase, compatibility with practicable diluents, influence of commonly present anions, reagent stability, sufficient selectivity for uranium, adequate phase separation properties, compatibility with practicable stripping methods, etc. The potential cost and availability of the reagents tested, i.e., certain secondary and tertiary amines, have shown even greater promise as practicable extraction agents than many of the promising compounds previously tested. In addition to the work with sulfate liquors, cursory studies have been made of uranium extraction from fluoride and sulfate-fluoride solutions. Extractions of other metals from sulfate liquors, i.e., titanium and thorium, have been briefly examined."