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Peaceful uses of atomic energy vol. 15. Applications of radioactive isotopes and fission products in research and industry
Book reviews
461
Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy Vol. 15. Applications of Radioactive Isotopes and Fission Products in Research and Industry. United Nations Publications. August 1956. pp. 327. Price 54s. $7.50. 32 SW. frs. This volume is ample evidence of the versatility of radioactive isotopes in solving existing problems and establishing new techniques. It begins logically with the study of tracers in research, a separate section being devoted to applications in control and technology. The treatment of tritium as a research tool is a most interesting contribution, showing the extent of the usefulness of this isotope in cases where its higher mass is not a serious handicap. Applications in such widely varying fields as the petroleum industry, fibre research, water analysis and hydraulic problems are well covered. Activation analysis, which enables the combination of activation, chemical separation and radioactive assay to be used to full advantage, is described in three papers. The applications of beta particles and gamma rays to measurements of various materials are dealt with in more than a dozen papers. Thickness gauging using transmission and back-scattering are described in their established forms, and some of the newer techniques in this field are included. Radiography and autoradiography are described as aids to both research and routine measurements. The relatively new subject of using beta particle sources as an indirect source of X rays by the generation of bremsstrahlung is shown to be a practical means of filling the gap in the range of gamma-ray sources below 400 keV. In the third section, which is devoted to fission products, the emphasis is on the use of high-activity sources in the kilocurie region and above. After one paper each on gamma-induced reactions and the irradiation of polymers, there are six papers dealing with the sterilization and pasteurization of food, including the treatment of stored cereals. Other uses of large-scale radiation from fission products are described in connection with the sterilization of medical supplies. The volume winds up with some of the lesser known uses of strong sources, such as the production of low-power electric cells and the beta-particle-induced self-luminous compounds. Altogether this volume represents one of the most interesting collections of papers showing the impact of radioactive isotopes on research, technology, and our everyday life. S. J.
Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy Vol. 16. Record of the Conference. United Nations Publications, 1956. pp. 203. Price 36s. THE sixteenth volume of the United Nations publication on the peaceful uses of atomic energy, held in Geneva in August 1955, will appeal not only to specialists in the field of nuclear energy, but also to a much wider scientific audience. In addition, the volume will be of interest to the wellinformed layman. The volume contains the speeches presented at the opening and closing sessions of the conference, and the evening lectures. In addition, it contains many photographs of historical interest, a list of delegates, and details of the administrative arrangements and officers of the conference. The book includes an index of papers by authors and also an index arranged in numerical order of receipt by the United Nations. Unfortunately, there is no index by subject, except for a reproduction of the programme of the sessions, including a list of the papers presented at those sessions. Like the other volumes of the United Nations’ proceedings, this one is merely a factual report and, as such, any critical comment would appear inappropriate. J. V. D.
461
Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy Vol. 15. Applications of Radioactive Isotopes and Fission Products in Research and Industry. United Nations Publications. August 1956. pp. 327. Price 54s. $7.50. 32 SW. frs. This volume is ample evidence of the versatility of radioactive isotopes in solving existing problems and establishing new techniques. It begins logically with the study of tracers in research, a separate section being devoted to applications in control and technology. The treatment of tritium as a research tool is a most interesting contribution, showing the extent of the usefulness of this isotope in cases where its higher mass is not a serious handicap. Applications in such widely varying fields as the petroleum industry, fibre research, water analysis and hydraulic problems are well covered. Activation analysis, which enables the combination of activation, chemical separation and radioactive assay to be used to full advantage, is described in three papers. The applications of beta particles and gamma rays to measurements of various materials are dealt with in more than a dozen papers. Thickness gauging using transmission and back-scattering are described in their established forms, and some of the newer techniques in this field are included. Radiography and autoradiography are described as aids to both research and routine measurements. The relatively new subject of using beta particle sources as an indirect source of X rays by the generation of bremsstrahlung is shown to be a practical means of filling the gap in the range of gamma-ray sources below 400 keV. In the third section, which is devoted to fission products, the emphasis is on the use of high-activity sources in the kilocurie region and above. After one paper each on gamma-induced reactions and the irradiation of polymers, there are six papers dealing with the sterilization and pasteurization of food, including the treatment of stored cereals. Other uses of large-scale radiation from fission products are described in connection with the sterilization of medical supplies. The volume winds up with some of the lesser known uses of strong sources, such as the production of low-power electric cells and the beta-particle-induced self-luminous compounds. Altogether this volume represents one of the most interesting collections of papers showing the impact of radioactive isotopes on research, technology, and our everyday life. S. J.
Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy Vol. 16. Record of the Conference. United Nations Publications, 1956. pp. 203. Price 36s. THE sixteenth volume of the United Nations publication on the peaceful uses of atomic energy, held in Geneva in August 1955, will appeal not only to specialists in the field of nuclear energy, but also to a much wider scientific audience. In addition, the volume will be of interest to the wellinformed layman. The volume contains the speeches presented at the opening and closing sessions of the conference, and the evening lectures. In addition, it contains many photographs of historical interest, a list of delegates, and details of the administrative arrangements and officers of the conference. The book includes an index of papers by authors and also an index arranged in numerical order of receipt by the United Nations. Unfortunately, there is no index by subject, except for a reproduction of the programme of the sessions, including a list of the papers presented at those sessions. Like the other volumes of the United Nations’ proceedings, this one is merely a factual report and, as such, any critical comment would appear inappropriate. J. V. D.