The recent production and identification of isotopes of elements with atomic numbers up to six higher than the target element through bombardment with hexapositive 120-Mev carbon ions made it seem worthwhile to apply this technique to the transuranium region. Accordingly, small pieces of natural uranium metal (about 0.5 mil thick and 205 cm by 0.6 cm area) were irradiated in the internal carbon ion beam in the Berkeley 60-inch cyclotron. Following the irradiations, the uranium was dissolved in dilute hydrochloric acid containing hydrogen peroxide and a transplutonium fraction was isolated through the use of lanthanum fluoride, and lanthanum hydroxide precipitation steps followed by the ion exchange adsorption column procedure in which concentrated hydrochloric acid is used to separate the tripositive actinide elements from the rare earth elements. The transplutonium fractions in hydrochloric acid were evaporated as weightless films on platinum plates which were placed in the ionization chamber of the 48 channel pulse analyzer apparatus in order to measure the yield and energies of any alpha-particles which might be present. In the best experiment at about one hour after the end of the 90-minute bombardment, some 50 disintegrations per minute of the distinctive 7.1-Mev alpha-particles of Cf{sup 244} were observed …

The electrostatically deflected beam of the 184-inch cyclotron has been used with the stacked foil and absorber technique to determine the excitation functions for the following reactions: Th{sup 232}(p,6n)Pa{sup 227}, Th{sup 232}(p,3n)Pa{sup 230}, Th{sup 232}(d,7n)Pa{sup 227}, Th{sup 232}({alpha},p8n)Pa{sup 227}, Th{sup 232}({alpha},p5n)Pa{sup 230}, and U{sup 238}(p,{alpha}8n)Pa{sup 227}. The data are presented graphically and discussed individually for each of the reactions. Some rough excitation function data have also been determined for the reactions Th{sup 232}(d,4n)Pa{sup 230}, U{sup 238}(p,{alpha}5n)Pa{sup 230}, Th{sup 232}({alpha},7n)U{sup 229}, and Th{sup 232}({alpha},6n)U{sup 230}. The results are discussed in terms of compound nucleus formation, transparency effects, and other factors in order to arrive at a qualitative picture for the mechanism of high energy nuclear reactions with heavy nuclei.

The X-ray Spectrum Produced by 322 Mev Electrons Striking a Platinum Target. The differential energy spectrum of the photons produced by 322 Mev electrons striking a 20 mil platinum target was measured by observing the energy of 3467 pairs produced in a one mil thick lead foil in a Wilson cloud chamber in a magnetic field of 10,000 gauss. The spectrum is found to agree with that predicted by the Bethe-Heitler bremsstrahlung theory using a Thomas-Fermi model with suitable corrections for the thickness of the target. The energy of the 322 Mev electrons was determined by the spectrum of the photons observed in this experiment. Apparatus used and the experimental data and results obtained are reported fully in UCRL-660.

None

This report consists of an outline for a program for testing the air-supplied face masks currently being used as protection against P-10 atmospheres at HAPO. The test procedures which follow are intended to determine circumstances under which the mask ceases to offer protection to the wearer. To keep the scope of the test program to a minimum and also to facilitate interpretation of the findings in the light of P-10 atmospheres, the test conditions chosen were those which would be most unfavorable for the mask from a protection standpoint.

This is a progress report of the production reactors on the Hanford Reservation for the month of August 1950. This report takes each division (e.g. manufacturing, medical, accounting, occupational safety, security, reactor operations, etc.) of the site and summarizes its accomplishments and employee relations for that month.

None

Certain laboratory processes require low-powered radio-frequency heating with fine continuous control. A lightweight low-powered induction heater which is capable of delivering about 20 watts of power into a load 12 feet from the heater with fair efficiency was developed to meet this need.

Research on polonium chemistry and physics is being continued on a reduced scale. Those problems which have direct bearing on the preparation of the metal and those which will lead to a better understanding of any phenomenon encountered are being continued. Data from the calorimetric measurements of polonium on Calorimeters 39 and 46 were treated by the method of least squares to give a grand mean half life of polonium equal to 138.3993 {+-} 0.0093 days (1-13). New apparatus has been constructed for the measurement of the vapor pressure of polonium and its compounds in the low and the high temperature ranges. Technical difficulties have delayed the actual collection of data (1-22). The constant current magnet to be used for the measurement of the Hall effect of polonium has been tested and found satisfactory. A device utilizing nuclear magnetic resonance absorption for determining field strength has been constructed on a preliminary basis (1-24). A total of 208 lines in the ultraviolet region between 3200 A and 1900 A have been measured with an error of less than {+-}0.02 A (1-28). Studies on the X-ray and spark spectra of polonium and its compounds have been conducted. A preliminary study by X-ray …

Costs are estimated for the production of uranium and pure thorium from monazite concentrates. The process involves; reaction of the monazite with caustic soda, dissolution of the hydrous oxides in hydrochloric acid, separation from the bulk of the rare earths by hydroxide precipitation of thorium and uranium, and purification by solvent extraction. (auth)

None

None

Pre-operation safety studies for the Homogeneous Reactor Experiment are discussed. (C.H.)

None

None

None

None

None

None

The metabolism of C{sup 14} labeled glycolic acid by Scenedesmus has been studied using radiochromatographic techniques for the separation and identification of products. When the pH of the medium was 2.8, appreciable assimilation occurred. The products were identical to those observed in C{sup 14}O{sub 2} photosynthesis. A major reaction anaerobically in the dark resulted in incorporation of C{sup 14} in almost equal amounts in the glycine and serine reservoirs. When the algae were illuminated, a diminution in the amount of glycine was observed.

Two approaches to lithium isotope separation have been followed in this research and are described and compared. One is electrolysis in non-aqueous systems at high cathode efficiency. The other is electrolysis in aqueous systems with anode depolarizers.

None

None

A summary of work is presented from the 234-5 Development Group, September 1, 1950, with regard to the feasibility of transferring the plutonium processing solution, without evaporation, to the Purification Building. Critical factors identified were the concentration of the nitric acid and temperature.