Abstract: "Hexavalent uranium in weakly acid solution produces with a large excess of ascorbic acid a yellow-brown color whose intensity under certain conditions is a linear function of uranium concentration. Chloride, nitrate, perchlorate, along with Fe, Cd, Mn, Na, Ca, Sn, Mg and Th are without effect on the color while phosphate, sulfate, fluoride, citrate, tartrate, oxalate, chromium, and vanadium and moderate amounts of Ni, Zn, Mo and Al interfere. A rapid ether extraction procedure for purification of the uranium has been developed."

This report for October, 1947 describes progress regarding ore dressing and pyrometallurgical studies, chemical work on phosphates, chemical work on shales, and analytical work.

This report for June, 1947 describes progress regarding ore dressing and pyrometallurgical studies, chemical work, analytical work, and beta counting.

This report for May, 1947 describes progress regarding analytical work, chemical work, beta-counting methods of analysis, ore-dressing and pyrometallurgical studies, and pyrometallurgical work.

This report covers progress in chemical and spectrographic analysis, chemical work, beta-counting methods of analysis, and ore-dressing and pyrometallurgical studies.

"The effect of a single vacuum sublimation of contaminated uranium tetrachloride, with fractional condensation of the vapors, was investigated to determine whether a high degree of purity would result. It was found that this procedure was an excellent and simple method for obtaining exceedingly pure uranium tetrachloride."

A report about the process by which the insulators used in the calutron acquire a conducting coating which is found to be a thermochemical process.

This report analyzes the separation of ions using the velocity of the ion measured through a long evacuated drift tube.

Report discussing experiments to determine if the tri-ether (referred to in the report as dibutyl carbitol or carbitol) "was susceptible of a high degree of reactivity when used as an extraction agent for the removal of uranium from aqueous solutions."

Abstract: This report deals with the development of a method using tracer technique for determining uranium extraction coefficients on solutions of low uranium concentration. It was found that extraction coefficients could be determined on systems containing as low as one part per million uranium using 1900 level uranium as the tracer. Results of several extraction series are presented in which aluminum nitrate is used as the salting agent and dibutyl carbitol the organic extractant.

Abstract: "Variations in receiver slot design produce changes in quantity and quality of product and recycle, not only instantaneously, but also as a function of time in approaching equilibrium. The case of fixed feed concentration and fixed inventory of Uranium is described here for standard and Dip-Lip wider R slot receivers. The effects of the two types of receivers on recycle and product X and W concentrations, X production rate, plant X utilization efficiency, integrated X production and effective mass output are shown graphically."

Abstract: An analysis of the improved Model Number 350 Process Monitor was made so that it could be determined if this instrument would fulfill the need for gamma radiation detection instruments in the production buildings of Y-12. The results of these tests indicated the possibility of marked improvement in the monitor characteristics with minor redesigns. After these improvements have been made, this instrument will be a satisfactory monitor for this area.

The following preliminary report describes obliquity factors for shields of various shapes.

Abstract: "It has been found that the two principal uranium isotopes exhibit slightly different arc spectra. Certain U-235 lines have been found to be displaced from corresponding U-238 lines by about one reciprocal centimeter. The intensity ratio, IU235/IU238, has been shown to be a steadily increasing function of the U-235 concentration. These data indicate the possibility of developing a method for the determination of isotopic concentration by means of emission spectra."

Abstract: "The Calutron has been successfully employed to separate the stable isotopes of twenty-one elements. The standard Beta M-2 unit modified to handle charge materials of various temperature ranges has proven adequate for a majority of separations. The problem of K life has received considerable attention but is still to be solved. Other operational problems are similar in most respects to those of uranium. The E design has, of necessity, varied greatly from the "Beta Gloria" type. A desire to keep construction simple, yet adequate for efficient collection and readily adaptable for use with many elements, has dictated the trend in E design. Water cooling on the receiver pockets was necessary with many of the elements separated. The chemical purification of the separated samples, although following a general pattern, varies with the type of pockets used and the element collected."

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.

A report about the development of several instruments, projects, and activities under the Physics Division.

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 …

Introduction. The main objective of the Metallurgical Project was the preparation of large quantities of plutonium 239, an isotope of element 94, by the interaction of neutrons and uranium. At the beginning, only predictions of its chemical and biological properties could be made since it is a new element. It was predicted that it would be toxic to tissue by virtue of its high atomic weight, and in addition, that it would be toxic by virtue of its radioactivity. Thus, the preparation and use of the element on a large scale meant the manipulation of, and possible exposure to, toxic quantities. It was, therefore, of practical importance to obtain data which would elaborate on the predicted toxicity. The objectives of the work reported here were to establish the acute toxicity of plutonium in experimental animals and to study the distribution of the element in the body after the administration of a wide range of doses. In the interest of economy of what was, at that time, a rare substance, and of animals and facilities, these two objectives were frequently pursued in the same experiment. The information obtained from the separate experiments is therefore frequently incomplete in one or another respect. …

Redux is a thermosetting synthetic resin manufactured by the Resinous Products & Chemical Co., Washington Square, Philadelphia 5, Pa. According to the manufacturer, it is intended for bonding metal to metal and metal to wood. It was apparently intended to replace rivets in aircraft structural parts and recent information indicates that a British airplane, the DeHaviland Dove, is in production using this resin. The adhesive was originally developed in England by Aero research Ltd. Experience at this laboratory has been confined to use of the resin for bonding electrical grade silicon steel laminations. Very strong bonds have been obtained under properly controlled conditions. The bond strength is sufficient to tear 29 gauge (.014") steel when attempting to peel off individual laminations. The bond is sufficiently homogeneous to prevent leaks parallel to the plane of the laminations into a high vacuum system. Experiments at the laboratory have been designed to test the adhesive for use in bonding the laminations which form the pole tips and vacuum chamber lids for the synchrontron magnet.

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: Exposure of Sprague Dawley white rats to single doses of 900 kvp X radiation demonstrated a medium lethal dose of 600 r which was not markedly dependent upon sex, weight, or, in the case of females, stage of the estrous cycle at the time of irradiation. Deaths within 30 days were most frequent between the fourth and eighth, and between the tenth and fifteenth post- irradiation days, indicating the existence of at least two processes leading to death in the "acute" period.

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: In the Biology Division, the maintenance of animals containing radioactive materials posed many problems. In addition to routine care of the animals, protection had to be provided for the personnel who worked with the contaminated animals. Frequent air changed in the room in which the animals were caged were necessary: farm workers were required to wear masks; animal cages were checked regularly for radiation; acid was used on the sawdust in the excrete pens; and a new, more efficient type of cage was designed. The most import feature of the new cage was that the support for the screen floor was outside the confines of the cage. Stainless steel was the preferred metal for case construction. Photographs and working drawings of cages for mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, and goats, and several types of metabolism cases are included in this paper. Cage decontamination was accomplished with the aid of complexing agents such as citric acid or sodium tartrate. Under certain conditions, nitric acid was used.