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Burlington Atomic Energy Week, 1946-1950
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...but if Man Masters Atom... IF MUTUAL DESTRUCTION by the atomic bomb can be avoided, the first century of the atomic age will bring immense advances in scientific knowledge, health and living standards. Already many prospective benefits can be outlined, but those we can neither foresee nor suspect may be even more important. This prediction is grounded in scientific experience; the most fundamental discoveries have always been the most fruitful. The study of molecules gave us chemistry. Faraday's experiments with electricity and magnetism are the foundation stones of the great electrical industry. Can one expect any less from an understanding of the heart of every atom? BENEFITS Atom-splitting benefits clearly visible today fall mainly in three classes: (1) heat and power applications of the uranium piles; (2) general industrial applications of equipment and methods originally developed for the bomb project; (3) chemical, biological and medical uses of the "tagged atoms" (radioactive isotopes) now abundantly available from pile operation. It is now evident that the energy yield of the U235 in an atomic pile can be multiplied many times by returning to (or leaving in) the pile the plutonium and possibly the U233 produced respectively from the U238 and the thorium in the pile. This is an indirect way to "burn" inexpensive U238 and thorium, and thus greatly extend the supply and reduce the cost of atomic fuels. POWER APPLICATIONS Although present piles run at low temperatures, it is certain that temperatures high enough for the efficient operation of steam and gas turbines will be attained. Already an experimental atomic power plant has been ordered. Atomic power for certain remote installations (say, for heating Arctic airports) may not be far off. In five or ten years uranium piles will be driving a few experimental ships and submarine. In 20 or 30 years uranium may begin to compete widely with coal as a fuel for suitably situated large central heating and power plants. The 50-ton minimum weight of shielding rules out nuclear power for automobiles and small piloted planes. SPECIAL USES Some day ultra-high temperatures from splitting atoms will be used for special industrial operations on metals and other materials. Even the dread atomic bomb might easily serve peaceful ends -- blasting lakes in deserts, changing the course of rivers, leveling mountains. INDUSTRIAL BYPRODUCTS The special industrial equipment and methods developed for the bomb project will find hundreds of important uses -- mostly for purposes unrelated to atomic energy. These developments include pumps with neither seals nor leaks, leak detectors of amazing sensitivity, ultratight welding, a portable mass spectograph for quick and automatic gas analysis, new ways of handling corrosive and poisonous materials, new diffusion barriers for the separation of gases and of petroleum products. TAGGED ATOMS Yet more important than any of these, in the long run, will be the hundreds of radioactive isotopes now available as by-products of the pile operation. Chemically indistinguishable from the ordinary forms of the elements, these isotopes serve as tagged atoms or "spies" if mixed with common stable atoms of the same species. They "fly with the flock," and can later be identified as surely as banded birds. With these amazing tools of research, the course of any element or compound may be traced through the bodies of men, animals and plants. Similarly, tagged atoms may be used in studying the course of many kinds of industrial and chemical operations. BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE A suspected hyperthyroid condition can be diagnosed by feeding the patient a minute measured amount of a radioactive iodine. The click of a "Geiger" counter placed on the patient's neck will tell (1) what percentage of the swallowed iodine concentrates in the thyroid cells and (2) how rapidly that concentration is accomplished -- giving a definite indication of the state of the gland. In similar fashion the radioactive isotopes of hydrogen, oxygen and carbon will trace out the intricate transformations of carbohydrates and proteins in the human body. Radioactive phosphorus will explore the bones. Radioactive iron will show how and where blood cells are formed. Radioactive sodium will time the circulation of blood. USES IN INDUSTRY In chemistry the radioactive isotopes will speed the understanding of metallurgical and organic reactions. In industry they will measure flow, detect leaks, and do other useful work. Meanwhile the uranium piles will be manufacturing certain radioactive isotopes that can serve as cheap but effective substitutes for high-cost medical radium. KNOWLEDGE COMES FIRST It is already clear that chief benefits of atom splitting will come first as new scientific knowledge rather than as new engines and gadgets. But in the long run man's new understanding of the inner atom will enrich the whole range of human activity. This has always been the case with less fundamental discovers in science. It can hardly be less with this most fundamental discovery. ATOM SPLITTING WILL SERVE MAN IN: [hand drawn pictures] CENTRAL POWER PLANTS SHIP POWER PLANTS GIANT BLASTING OPERATIONS BETTER INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT RESEARCH TECHNIQUES NEW FUNDAMENTAL KNOWLEDGE
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...but if Man Masters Atom... IF MUTUAL DESTRUCTION by the atomic bomb can be avoided, the first century of the atomic age will bring immense advances in scientific knowledge, health and living standards. Already many prospective benefits can be outlined, but those we can neither foresee nor suspect may be even more important. This prediction is grounded in scientific experience; the most fundamental discoveries have always been the most fruitful. The study of molecules gave us chemistry. Faraday's experiments with electricity and magnetism are the foundation stones of the great electrical industry. Can one expect any less from an understanding of the heart of every atom? BENEFITS Atom-splitting benefits clearly visible today fall mainly in three classes: (1) heat and power applications of the uranium piles; (2) general industrial applications of equipment and methods originally developed for the bomb project; (3) chemical, biological and medical uses of the "tagged atoms" (radioactive isotopes) now abundantly available from pile operation. It is now evident that the energy yield of the U235 in an atomic pile can be multiplied many times by returning to (or leaving in) the pile the plutonium and possibly the U233 produced respectively from the U238 and the thorium in the pile. This is an indirect way to "burn" inexpensive U238 and thorium, and thus greatly extend the supply and reduce the cost of atomic fuels. POWER APPLICATIONS Although present piles run at low temperatures, it is certain that temperatures high enough for the efficient operation of steam and gas turbines will be attained. Already an experimental atomic power plant has been ordered. Atomic power for certain remote installations (say, for heating Arctic airports) may not be far off. In five or ten years uranium piles will be driving a few experimental ships and submarine. In 20 or 30 years uranium may begin to compete widely with coal as a fuel for suitably situated large central heating and power plants. The 50-ton minimum weight of shielding rules out nuclear power for automobiles and small piloted planes. SPECIAL USES Some day ultra-high temperatures from splitting atoms will be used for special industrial operations on metals and other materials. Even the dread atomic bomb might easily serve peaceful ends -- blasting lakes in deserts, changing the course of rivers, leveling mountains. INDUSTRIAL BYPRODUCTS The special industrial equipment and methods developed for the bomb project will find hundreds of important uses -- mostly for purposes unrelated to atomic energy. These developments include pumps with neither seals nor leaks, leak detectors of amazing sensitivity, ultratight welding, a portable mass spectograph for quick and automatic gas analysis, new ways of handling corrosive and poisonous materials, new diffusion barriers for the separation of gases and of petroleum products. TAGGED ATOMS Yet more important than any of these, in the long run, will be the hundreds of radioactive isotopes now available as by-products of the pile operation. Chemically indistinguishable from the ordinary forms of the elements, these isotopes serve as tagged atoms or "spies" if mixed with common stable atoms of the same species. They "fly with the flock," and can later be identified as surely as banded birds. With these amazing tools of research, the course of any element or compound may be traced through the bodies of men, animals and plants. Similarly, tagged atoms may be used in studying the course of many kinds of industrial and chemical operations. BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE A suspected hyperthyroid condition can be diagnosed by feeding the patient a minute measured amount of a radioactive iodine. The click of a "Geiger" counter placed on the patient's neck will tell (1) what percentage of the swallowed iodine concentrates in the thyroid cells and (2) how rapidly that concentration is accomplished -- giving a definite indication of the state of the gland. In similar fashion the radioactive isotopes of hydrogen, oxygen and carbon will trace out the intricate transformations of carbohydrates and proteins in the human body. Radioactive phosphorus will explore the bones. Radioactive iron will show how and where blood cells are formed. Radioactive sodium will time the circulation of blood. USES IN INDUSTRY In chemistry the radioactive isotopes will speed the understanding of metallurgical and organic reactions. In industry they will measure flow, detect leaks, and do other useful work. Meanwhile the uranium piles will be manufacturing certain radioactive isotopes that can serve as cheap but effective substitutes for high-cost medical radium. KNOWLEDGE COMES FIRST It is already clear that chief benefits of atom splitting will come first as new scientific knowledge rather than as new engines and gadgets. But in the long run man's new understanding of the inner atom will enrich the whole range of human activity. This has always been the case with less fundamental discovers in science. It can hardly be less with this most fundamental discovery. ATOM SPLITTING WILL SERVE MAN IN: [hand drawn pictures] CENTRAL POWER PLANTS SHIP POWER PLANTS GIANT BLASTING OPERATIONS BETTER INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT RESEARCH TECHNIQUES NEW FUNDAMENTAL KNOWLEDGE
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