Monthly report of the U.S. Geological Survey's trace element investigations including an outline of field work, laboratory work, and staff activities that have been completed or are in process.

The following report is a quarterly report done by the Physics Division of the University of California's Radiation Laboratory, covering the period of February 1, 1948 to May 1, 1948. This report discusses general physics research and the development and operation of the accelerator.

Abstract: The rate of extraction of PuIV in either direction between benzene-TTA and aqueous HNO3 solutions is shown in the present study to be fast enough so that application of the chelate process to continuous operation should be feasible. This conclusion is based on two primary considerations: 1. The mechanism limiting the rate of extraction appears to be diffusion and not chemical-reaction-limiting. 2. The extraction may be controlled by adjustment of the system conditions to give almost any desired specifications of rate and/or equilibrium. A continuous process involving multiple extraction stages with a controlled pH gradient is proposed for obtaining maximum decontamination and plutonium recovery.

This summary of the research progress meeting on June 3, 1948 discusses the following topics: (1) Photomultipliers (L. Wouters); (2) Positive mesons (C.M.G. Lattes); and (3) Background work in 184-inch program (W. Panofsky).

This summary of the research progress meeting on June 10, 1948 discusses the following topics: (1) 184-inch cyclotron (J. Vale); (2) Slow neutrons in the shielding of the 184-inch cyclotron (W. Benson); and (3) Fission of thorium with alpha particles (A. Newton).

This summary of the research progress meeting on June 17, 1948 discusses the following topics: (1) Potassium 43 (R. Overstreet); (2) Recoils (A. Ghiorso); (3) M.I.T. accelerator conference (W. Panofsky); and (4) Cosmic rays (Prof. Louis Le prince - Ringuet, France)

This summary of the research progress meeting on June 24, 1948 discusses the following topics: (1) Spectrographic analysis of alpha active materials (J. Conway); and (2) Range energy determinations (Dr. R.L. Thornton, Mr. Walter Stephan and Mr. Walter Aron).

This technical report provides a general description of the Brookhaven National Laboratory, describing the nuclear characteristics of the Brookhaven reactor and more detailed descriptions of the features and instrumentation of the reactor.

This report outlines plans for tests of the graphite stack during lay up in the pile structures. Measurements are planned upon completion of layers 20, 60, and 102, which will require not more than 16 hours each. The test method will require restriction of Construction personnel from the areas immediately adjacent to the pile. Precise boundaries will be set up in collaboration with H I Division personnel prior to the test.

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Introduction: "This report covers progress on the testing of the General Engineering and Consulting Laboratories Turbine Pump No. 1 from May 1, 1948 to Jun 15, 1948. All testing prior to April 30, 1948 has been described in Redox Experiment Testing Report No. 1 (Document HW-9474) and No. 2 (Document HW-9694)."

The following report studies an estimation of the amount of Pu(III) and Pu(IV) present in the IBP Stream, with the purpose of establishing an analytical, method suitable for routine control analysis. A method is discussed that is based on carrying Pu(IV) upon a zirconium phanylarsonate precipitate.

The following report on the nuclear synthesis of technetium is based on work performed under contract No. W-7405-eng-26 for the Atomic Energy Project at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The following report investigates the excretion data of dogs who were injected with strontium89.

This report studies the effect of x irradiation on the maturation of the circulating reticulocytes, using samples of rabbit blood with and without phenylhydresine- or bleeding-induced anemia and comparing them to the blood of human subjects under similar circumstances.

The following report discusses the renewed element 43, or eka-manganese, whose discovery was heralded in 1925, but whose chemical properties remained unreported until the radiochemical investigations of Perrier and Segre."

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A survey has been made of gas decontamination problems at the various installations of the Atomic Energy Commission and the results are reported. Installations visited include: The Hanford Engineer Works, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, Iowa State College Institute for Nuclear Research, Knolls Laboratory, and installations at Oak Ridge.

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