This is the University of California, Radiation Laboratory monthly progress report for May 1948. It discusses the following: (1) 184-inch Cyclotron Program; (2) 60-inch Cyclotron Program; (3) Synchrotron Program; (4) Linear Accelerator Program; (5) Experimental Physics; (6) Theoretical Physics, (7) Isotope Separation Program; (8) Chemistry Departments; (9) Medical Physics; and (10) Health Physics and Chemistry.

Abstract: "The uranium content of badly contaminated uranium solutions may be determined quickly using visual comparison methods to an accuracy of [...]. This accuracy may be considerably improved by employing the fluorimeter herein described. Interfering ions and their removal using liquid-liquid extractions are considered."

"The ditching characteristics of the Lockheed XR60-1 airplane were determined by tests of a 1/24-scale dynamic model in calm water at the Langley tank no. 2 monorail. Various landing attitudes, flap settings, speeds, and conditions of damager were investigated. The ditching behavior was evaluated from recordings of decelerations, length of runs, and motions of the model" (p. 1).

The operation of the Fast Reactor is considered in terms of normal equilibrium conditions and normal shut-down. The proposed loading, control rod adjustment and subsequent "floating" operation are discussed. Safety devices and interlocks are described. Temperature and reactivity changes are examined with respect to various system failures, phase changes, and "flashing" of the reactor. Slow changes due to faulty slug cooling are also considered. The calculations were initially based upon 10 kw operation. Performance tests of the mercury system now indicate that 20-kw operation may be feasible.

The operation of the Fast Reactor is considered in terms of normal equilibrium conditions and normal shut-down. The proposed loading, control rod adjustment and subsequent "floating" operation are discussed. Safety devices and interlocks are described. Temperature and reactivity changes are examined with respect to various system failures, phase changes, and "flashing" of the reactor. Slow changes due to faulty slug cooling are also considered. The calculations were initially based upon 10 kw operation. Performance tests of the mercury system now indicate that 20-kw operation may be feasible. (D.E.B.)

Report presenting an investigation of a series of 16-inch-diameter ramjet engine in free flight in order to determine the performance of ramjet units in flight at supersonic speeds and to study methods for improving the performance. Results regarding the telemeter data recorded by ground stations, static pressures, variation of altitude with time after release, variation of flight velocities, and fuel-air ratio are provided. Partial failure of the measuring equipment prevented a complete evaluation of engine performance.

Report presenting an investigation to determine the high-speed performance and static longitudinal stability and control characteristics of a model of the Lockheed YP-80A airplane. High-speed aerodynamic characteristics are presented for speeds up to Mach number 0.96. Results regarding the scale effects, longitudinal stability, and longitudinal-control effectiveness are provided.

Aerodynamic and icing investigations of internal water-inertia separation inlets designed to prevent automatically entrance of large quantities of water into a turbojet engine in icing conditions was conducted on a one-half scale model. A simplified analytical approach to the design of internal water-inertia separation inlets is included. Results show that in order to be effective in preventing screen and guide-vane icing for an inlet of this type, a ram-pressure recovery of 75 percent was attained at design inlet-velocity ratio in an icing condition. For nonicing operation, ram-pressure recovery is comparable to direct-ram inlet.

Report presenting the results of two runs made with liquid diborane and hydrogen peroxide in a small-scale rocket engine. The first run was very erratic and modifications were made to the testing apparatus and procedures for the second run. In the second run, the combustion started immediately and continued smoothly for 12 seconds of operation.

This progress report discusses activities of the P Division for the month of April, 1948. The D and F Piles operated at 275 megawatts throughout April except for scheduled outages. Each operating area had an extended outage to remove a portion of the brick from the wall which runs across the rear edge of the top of the unit and to replace the vertical neoprene seal between the front face and the experimental side shields. This program described in detail under Mechanical Experience. The B-Pile was maintained in standby condition with a water flow of 10,150 gallons/minute. The 100 Area discharge rate continued at 60 tons per month. The exclusive use of lead dipped 4 inch slugs fabricated from alpha rolled or alpha extruded metal was started effective April 1. Work was stated April 12 in the 300 Area on a program of decanning 160 tons of 8 inch gamma extruded triple-dip canned pieces which were not considered good risks for pile operation. The slug recovery operation was placed on a 2 shift per day schedule on April 19 to expedite this work so that the metal can be recast and rolled at the earliest moment. The 300 Area canning …

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Price Daniel, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Result to be certified by Commissioners' Court in a local option election in which two issues were submitted.

Report presenting an investigation of the two-dimensional aerodynamic characteristics of several NACA airfoil sections at four Reynolds numbers. Results regarding the minimum drag, maximum lift, lift-curve slope, and angle of zero lift and pitching moment are provided.

Report presenting a wind-tunnel investigation to explore the merits of split and chord-extension flaps on a 45 degree sweptback wing. Testing occurred at low speed on a semispan model equipped with split flaps of 60 and 90-percent span and a full-span chord-extension flap. Results regarding split flaps, chord-extension flap, and resultant lift coefficients after balancing pitching-moment coefficients are provided.

Technical report includes three reports of research progress: 1)Neutron scattering by A. Bratenahl; 2) Nuclear Cross Sections, Norman Knable.

This progress report discusses progress on oxidation-reduction studies, including polarography, as well as the Uranium-complex formation including electrical transport and spectro-photometric work. This report covers the work done in the period of February of 1945.

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Price Daniel, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Fees of county tax collector for collection of county-wide school maintenance tax Article 2744e-3, Vernon's Civil Statutes, as amended.

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Price Daniel, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: The necessity for the State Registrar of Vital Statistics to collect the statutory fee of fifty cents for certified copies of birth and death certificates requested for official use by a State Agency.

From Summary: "Theoretical performance data including nozzle-exit temperature, specific impulse, volume specific impulse and composition, temperature, and mean molecular weight of reaction products based on frozen equilibrium and isentropic expansion are presented for 13 propellant combinations at reaction pressure of 300 pounds per square inch absolute and expansion ratio of 20.4. On basis of maximum specific impulse alone, five fuels had the following order for any given oxidant: liquid hydrogen, hydrazine, liquid ammonia, and either hydrazine hydrate or hydroxylamine. Three oxidants with a given fuel had the following order: liquid ozone, liquid oxygen, and 100-percent hydrogen peroxide."

The radioactive amino acid's synthesized from C{sup 14}O{sub 2} by green algae both in the light and in the dark after CO{sub 2}-free preillumination have been separated and identified using paper chromatography and radioautography. The radioactive amino acids identified were aspartic acid, alanine and smaller amounts of 3- and 4-carbon amino acids. This finding as well as the total absence of radioactive glutamic acid substantiates the mechanism for reduction of CO{sub 2} previously postulated by members of this laboratory.

Report presenting testing of a 42.7 degree sweptback tapered wing with three types of ailerons tested at a Mach number of 1.9 and a Reynolds number of 2,200,000; the wing geometry was similar to that of an XS-2 airplane. The purpose of the investigation was to determine the effectiveness of ailerons at these specified flight characteristics. Results regarding the aerodynamic characteristics of the wing are also provided.

The following report analyzes the hydrolytic behavior of cerium and compares them with the actinides of uranium and plutonium.

Report discussing experiments that were performed to determine whether amino acids in urine could be used as a test of subtle uranium poisoning.

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Price Daniel, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Rendition of property during period of redemption following sale for delinquent taxes, and amount necessary to redeem.

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Price Daniel, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Question relating to the travel expense of a sheriff commissioned to return a fugitive from justice to this State.