~ -~- - . . UNCLASSIFIED.= mee ee 75 PHYSICAL RESEARCH o~- ce ~~ METALLURGY AND MATERIALS RESEARCH Effects of Rad‘ation on the Oxidation of Niobium ; A study of the effect of radiation on the oxidation characteristics of niobJum is in progress. Limited experimental results indicate that the rate of oxidation of nioblum in early stages of oxidation is not appreciably affected by radiation, Microstresses in Metal Crystals A diffraction theory for very thin imperfect surface oxides on single crystals of copper has been developed. Comparisons between theoretical and experimental results appear encouraging. If more precise measurements confirm the correctness of the theory, new information on the structure of such films may result, Ceramics Research Hot pressing an intermediate grade of sinterable beryllium oxide at temperatures of 1,050, 1,150, and 1,250 degrees centigrade resulted in densities of 94 to 98 percent of the maximum density theoretically possible, Hot pressing of purified beryllium oxide at these same temperatures resulted in densities of 68, 86, and 97 percent. The high density obtained in the intermediate grade material 1s attributed parlly to an impurity that retains moisture at 1,050 degrees centigrade, OAK RIDGE REACTOR OPERATIONS The new Oak Ridge Research Reactor was turned over to the operating group on July 1, and routine operation began in mid-July, a 3 Preparations continued for increasing the power level of the air-cooled graphite reactor at Oak Ridge. Specifications were completed for the enriched fuel elements to be used, The contemplated changes will provide a power level of about 10,000 kilowatts instead of the 3,700 Kilowatis currently obtainable with normal uranium fuel. NATIONAL POLICY ON HIGH ENERGY ACCELERATORS Meetings Lave been held with representatives of the Department of Defense, the National Science Foundztion, and the Science Advisory Committee for the purpose of developing a national policy fcr the construction and operation of high energy particle accelerators, A panel of scientists, convened by the National Science Foundation, has submitted a technical aralysis of the future needs. A joint subcommittee composed of members of both the General Advisory Committee ané the Science Advisory Committee is currently studying the probiems, (End of UNCLASSIFIED section.) DOE ARCHIVES