Technical report. Long-time tests have been made on the effect of various types of radiation on the corrosion of 2S aluminum in simulated W water. In no case was any acceleration of corrosion by the radiation observed; the effect of radiation, if any, appeared to be a protective one. Deuteron irradiation did accelerate the corrosion of mild steel at low flow rates in hot water of pH 6 to 7, but no appreciable effect was observed with copper, stainless steel, or tuballoy. The general theory of the effect of radiation on corrosion is discussed, with the conclusion that no acceleration of corrosion by radiation is to be expected in most cases of practical interest.

The following report records the study of albino rats subjected to beta rays and analyzes the skin reactions and metabolic patterns.

Report describing results of experiments that involved injecting radioactive yttrium into animals: "The excretion, retention, and distribution of the yttrium was measured, and its effect on survival and growth was observed. The average total excretion of Y91 to the time of death (from 76 hours to 24 days) was a little less than 30 per cent of the injected dose" (p. 2).

Abstract: An ionization chamber for use in counting alpha particle activity from the air has been devised for counting samples collected with the electrostatic precipitator. The chamber is an adaptation of the breech-locking standard chamber, with a cylindrical high voltage electrode into which the collection foil is placed, and a coaxial rod as a collecting electrode. A geometrical efficiency of close to 50% is obtained.

Technical report describing a procedure for the determination of lead in pitchblende. The procedure was determined as needed in the course of an investigation of the processing of pitchblende for the production of uranium. Summary: The volumetric dichromate method for the determination of lead was selected from among several methods investigated as being best suited for a rapid determination of lead in pitchblende. The method as described is accurate to within 1% and it does not require the application of an empirical factor as suggested by Willard and Diehl for this determination.

From abstract: "A chamber was constructed with three electrodes dividing the space into two regions of 800 c.c. The surfaces of one of these were coated with boron carbide. With opposite potentials on two electrodes, ion currents to the collecting electrode due to gamma rays were practically cancelled and ion currents due to alpha rays induced by slow neutrons were measured."

Technical report abstract. The present state of knowledge concerning the effect of pile radiation on a variety of solid materials is reviewed. Radiation corrosion will not be a serious hazard for aluminum or stainless steel but it can be for iron or lead if either are exposed to water. Apart from corrosion the principal uncertainty is in regard to the Wigner effect on the behavior of metals. There is at present no ground for optimism regarding the behavior of tuballoy. The effect on aluminum or a bonding material while less severe must also be considered serious. The expectation in regard to graphite is that its behavior will not cause trouble during the first 100 days of operation although serious troubles will probably arise within two years of operation. Organic materials can be used safely only in regions of limited exposure.

From Abstract: "The use of the oxalic acid method for the separation of uranium from mixed thorium-uranium peroxides has been investigated, and appears to be the most satisfactory of the obvious methods of separation. One oxalic acid leach removes nearly all of the uranium from the thorium with approximately one mg Th/L remaining in the uranium solution phase."

The following document describes some studies of the radioactive isotopes of cerium and lanthanum lying on the light or neutron-deficient side of stability.

Report discussing progress made in testing methods for preparation of ductile zirconium by the National Research Corporation for the month of June, 1949.

Report discussing progress made by the National Research Corporation regarding preparation of ductile zirconium during the month of May, 1949.

The emf of galvanic cells at high temperatures was measured using uranium metal in equilibrium with its chloride as one half of the cell, the other half of the cell being some reference electrode such as silver - silver chloride. Several designs of cells tried are described. A value of 2.83 volts/eq. at 1170[degree]K and also at 990[degree]K is considered as the most probably value for the potential of the uranium halide couple.

Abstract: A spectrophotometric determination of iron employing the ferrous-1, 10-phenanthroline complex has been developed. The colored complex is measured at a wave-length where interference of the yellow uranyl ion is a minimum. Recommended procedures and analytical results using these procedures are given. Data are presented which indicate that the iron in the acid-insoluble residue is negligible. A method for the determination of iron in ammonium oxalate is included.

Abstract: This technical report consists of series of drawings of the instrument with the following explanation. The modification of the Simpson Methane flow proportional counter consists of a means for inserting and replacing samples into the chamber through an air-lock device which avoids the introduction of even a small quantity of air into the active volume of the chamber. This is accompanied by sweeping out the small volume of the air-lock containing the sample with methane gas before the sample is introduced into the chamber -- this sweeping out requiring only a few seconds. The mechanical construction is somewhat simplified over that employed in the Simpson counter design, although the electrical and counting characteristics are essentially duplicates of those employed in the Simpson version. Voltage plateaus about 400 volts long, flat within 1% per 100 volts are obtained with the counter, with the operating point at about 2500 volts for methane at one atmosphere pressure. A plateau extending over a range of about 40% variation in amplification factor is obtained. Standard samples have been checked to standard deviation of +/-0.3% over a period of one year. The counter is rather gas-tight and is ready for use within about ten minutes …

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 divided into two parts, both parts center around the effects of radiation on skin tissue. Part one focuses on superficial radiation, or Beta rays, while part two is on penetrating radiation, or neutrons and gamma rays.

The recovery of plutonium has been demonstrated in a laboratory countercurrent horizontal extractor using the TTA process. Using three extractive stages and two washing stages in each step, a recovery of 91 percent has been obtained in the chelation step and a recovery of 99.9+ percent in the de-chelation step. With five extractive stages, recoveries of 94-98 percent have been found for the chelation step.

Technical report with short reports on (1) P-9 recovery from UO2F2 solution; (2) Correlation of theories on action of radiation on matter; (3) Literature surveys on organic compounds and on chemistry of UO2F2; (4) effect of radiation on organic compounds; and (5) Effect of radiation on 100 area construction materials.

Technical report. Quite pure anhydrous ThCl4 in small quantity (8-10 g charge) has been prepared by the action of a mixture of Cl2 and CCl4 vapor on ThO2 at 675 degrees to 725 degrees C.

A report discussing a possible new volatile compound of uranium, its probable properties, and attempts to synthesize it. Though the possible new compound was not successfully synthesized, the author provides suggestions for future work.

A report on paper chromatography in synthetic organic chemistry.

"This report is concerned with the effectiveness of this washback procedure in reducing the phosphate concentration and also with other methods by which the simultaneous extraction of phosphate along with tuballoy may be minimized."

This report follows research done at the Purdue Research Foundation and Department of Chemistry on fluorocarbons done by the Office of Scientific Research and Development.

This report discusses enhanced Hg202 as a source of monochromatic light in relation to the effects of the isotopic impurities.