As reported in the previous Progress Report (December 16, 1959) a stock solution of Th 230 was prepared from pitchblende. Pulse height analysis of this solution indicated the presence of only Th 230 (93%), Th 227 (5%), Th 232 (1%), and Th 228 (1%). This solution was used to make up synthetic thorium solution of various concentration. These synthetic solutions were analyzed to establish a chemical yield for the procedure. Neither the precision nor the chemical yield of the procedure were considered to be satisfactory. In the next report period, we hope to complete the testing of the thorium procedure, both with regard to chemical yield and precision, as well as to determine decontamination factor from radium, uranium, and polonium. To do this, pure solutions of polonium, radium, and uranium will be prepared. The polonium and radium will be processed from pitchblende while the uranium will be made by purifying reagent grade uranyl nitrate.

The following progress report briefly covers research completed or in progress on (1) Catalytic combination of hydrogen and oxygen in thoria slurries, and (2) Adsorption of molybdenum trioxide and sodium sulfate on thoria as determined by infrared spectroscopy.

Applications of radioisotopes in the preparation of labeled drugs are reviewed. Among the applications described are the preparation of carbon-14- labeled cardiac glycosides, and the biosyinthesis of carbon-14-labeled digitoxin, morphine, colchicine, atropine, podophyllotoxin, and nicotine. The fate and metabolism of many of these drugs were traced. Radiochemical procedures were developed for the synthesis of pure compounds of pharmacological interest labeled with carbon-14, sulfur-35, and tritium. Investigations were made on the phenomena of drug penetration into the central nervous system. Publications during the period are listed. (C.H.)

Formulas derived from earlier work satisfactorily predicted low frequency ground effects resulting from the Pre-Gnome explosions, but they not predict high accelerations associated with high frequency ground waves. The Pre-Gnome experiments taken since indicated that accelerations and ground amplitudes are proportional to the explosive charge, but physical conditions limit extrapolation on this basis to relatively low yields. Predicted accelerations resulting from the 10 kt Gnome explosion in potash mines eight or more miles away will be somewhat less than from routine blasts in the mines. The compressional wave speed in the salt stratum of the area is about 14,000 feet per second.

Separation processes for production of pure rare earth oxides in useful quantities are discussed. A review of applications of these oxides in the ceramic industry in production of glasses, glazes, porcelain enamels, refractories, abrasives, electronic ceramics, and nuclear ceramics is also presented. 46 references.

A pilot model of an Aerodynamic Raindrop Sorter was constructed along the lines suggested by mathematical analysis. The function of the analyzer is to sort natural rain according to drop size and to collect the sorted drops for further analysis. The pilot model, a small wind tunnel inclined at 45 deg to the horizontal, demonstrated the feasibility of aerodynamic rain drop sorting over a wide range of drop sizes. (auth)

Purpose of this research is twofold:: (1) to uncover new principles or techniques from which a CW source of electromagnetic radiation for the low millimeter and submillimeter wavelength range can be developed; and (2) to develop suitable detectors, components, and measuring techniques for evaluating and using the radiation as a diagnostic tool for plasma physics

The chief purpose of this contract is the development of ceramic materials with high dielectric constant and high dielectric strength values, and suitable for use of dielectrics in capacitors capable of storing large amounts of energy in small volumes. Work performed during the fourth quarter included (1) Material development and sample preparation; (2) Sample testing; (3) discussion of ceramic density measurements; (4) Optical studies of titanates; (5) Fabrication of large ceramics; and (6) Capacitor design.

SNAP II is the designation for a 3 KW nuclear auxiliary power unit to be used in a satellite vehicle. The SNAP II system consists of a reactor heat source, a mercury Rankine engine and an alternator. A two stage, full admission, axial flow turbine was chose for the APU application. Design details and test results are presented in this report. This work was performed under a subcontract to to Atomics International as part of the Atomic Energy Commission Contract No. AT(11-1)-GEN-8.

The lubrication equations for an arbitrary Newtonian fluid are derived directly from the general equations for conservation of mass, momentum, and energy. From the lubrication equations an inequality is obtained for the internal film temperature rise, after which the isothermal film equations are derived. Then, for perfectly-aligned self-acting journal bearings, a conservation equation is obtained. For gas bearings this condition gives: [formula] constant along the axis of the bearing. Application of this condition to the infinitely-long gas bearing gives more accurate pressure solutions for this case. The Katto-Soda form of the differential equation for the infinitely-long bearing is solved by a series expansion in the eccentricity ratio, the first terms of which give the original, approximate Katto-Soda solution. In addition, solutions obtained numerically by digital computations are presented in graphical and tabular form for eccentricity ratios from 0 to 0.9 and compressible bearing parameter [formula]. Design charts based on these calculations are provided.

During the past year, three papers covering results of a major series of experiments on intergenotype of blood-forming tissue have appeared, demonstrating successful implantation of isologues normal cells in anemic hosts, permanently correcting their genetic defect in hematopoiesis, both with and without irradiation of the host. Heavy host irradiation was shown ineffective as preparations for implantation of homologous cells of widely different antigenic types.

A stainless steel autoclave for superheated water corrosion test was installed and "conditioned". Tests were begun to investigate the feasibility of densifying slip cast stainless steel by means of liquid phase sintering. Attempts to prepare tubular fuel elements by vacuum forming were resumed. Although thick-walled vacuum formed casting have been sintered on the aluminum mandrels without cracking, this has not yet been accomplished with the think sections of interest.

The report covers work performed during the period December 1, 1959 through December 31, 1959. The general objectives of the program of "Studies of Reactor Containment" are to accomplish theoretical and experimental investigations of the loads to which external containment structures for nuclear reactors are subjected in the vent of a violent incident at the reactor core, the evaluation of methods of reducing that loading, and the study of the response of and design criteria for external containment structures as a result of such loading. Progress of technical effort during the report period is summarized for each of the eight tasks of the program..

The general expression for the angular correlation between radiations produced in successive cascade transitions is derived by use of Racah algebra. The result is then specialized to the beta - gamma correlation and applied to two cases in which additional properties of the photon are specified, the circular polarization and the plane polarization. The prospect of testing time reversal and determining nuclear matrix element ratios by beta - gamma correlation measurements is explored using the nuclide Tm/sup 170/ as an example. The directional angular correlation between the 2.31-Mev beta and the subsequent 0.605-Mev gamma emitted in the decay of Sb/sup 124/ was measured as a function of the beta energy. The K-conversion coefficient of the 279-kev gamma following beta decay of Hg/sup 203/ was measured by comparing the x-ray and gamma intensities in a scintillation spectrometer. The measured valve of alpha /sub k/ = 0.195 plus or minus 0.014 indicates that the transition is M1 with E2 mixed to the extent of 63%. The angular correlation of the 107-1.24 Mev gamma cascade in Zn/sup 68/ following the decay of 68-min Ga/sup 68/ is shown. The Legendre polynomial expansion coefficients were deter-gular correlation in the decay of Sb/ sup 118/ was …

Work during this report period includes a continuation of the study of the effect of krypton 85 on the polymerization of styrene; an attempt at evaluation of the polymers produced; and the effect of krypton radiation on the electrical properties of gases, such as the rare gases, and nitrogen, and oxygen. the results obtained are summarized in the report.

The overall scope of the program encompasses both research into the physical parameters involved in the collection of airborne radioactive particles and the development, fabrication and calibration of balloon-borne sampling equipment to enable the precise determination of stratospheric particle concentration and particle size distribution.

Thorium Procedure: As was mentioned in the last report, ammonium nitrate was substituted for ferric nitrate as a salting agent. Also, the acidity of the nitrate solution was reduced from 3.0 molar to 0.5 molar. the revised thorium procedure is described in the report. Radium Procedure: Work has ben initiated on the procedure of Petrow, Nietzel and DeSesa (Winchester Procedure) to determine if the procedure is suitable for very low level concentrations of radium.

Lithium fluoride crystals were quenched into silicone oil from near the melting point. The return to an equilibrium structure during annealing was observed by means of mechanical tests and etching techniques. Crystals containing three levels of impurity, zone refined, commercially pure, and doped with 0.05 mole per cent magnesium, were used in order to separate the effects of foreign ions from those of thermal vacancies. The changes of mechanical properties produced by quenching and by subsequent annealing were generally attributable to point defect-dislocation interactions. Precision density determinations indicated that about 10% of the equilibrium concentration of vacancies at the melting point was retained at room temperature by the quench. The density could be restored to its normal value by annealing. Two important annealing stages were observed. At about 200 deg C the precipitation of impurities retained in solution by the quench caused a sharp increase in the hardness as measured at room temperature. Isothermal annealing revealed the hardening process to have an activation energy of about 0.5 ev which is probably the energy for migration of an associated magnesium ion-lithium vacancy pair. Between 300 and 400 deg C the removal of dislocations and probably vacancy clusters resulting from the quench …

SNAP II is the designation for a nuclear auxiliary power unit, designed primarily for utilization in the WS117L satellite vehicle. The SNAP II system consists of a reactor heat source, a mercury Rankine engine, and an alternator. Dynamic analysis of the power conversion system was conducted utilizing a comprehensive analog computer simulation. Feasibility of a parasitic load control for numerous system disturbances was demonstrated. This analysis was performed under a subcontract to to Atomics International as part of the Atomic Energy Commission Contract No. AT(11-1)-GEN-8.