Abstract: A method for the detection and identification of uranium bearing materials in media found in nature such as rocks, soils, surface and sub-surface waters, vegetation, or in material which has been subjected to physical or chemical processing comprises the steps of: irradiating the media with a light, having a single wavelength or narrow band of wavelengths in the range of about 2400 to 5000A for a time equal to or less than about 100 microseconds; waiting for a period of time, which is dependent on twice the distance of the light-source to the irradiated medium, followed by measurement of the intensity and decay time of the luminescent light emitted by the irradiated media in a narrow spectral range, having a wavelength greater than the wavelength of the light used to irradiate the media.

Abstract: An actinide dioxide, e.g. uranium dioxide, plutonium dioxide, neptunium dioxide, etc., is prepared by reacting the actinide nitrate hexahydrate with sodium dithionite as a first step; the reaction product from this first step is a novel composition of matter comprising the actinide sulfite tetrahydrate. The reaction product resulting from this first step is then converted to the actinide dioxide by heating it in the absence of an oxygen-containing atmosphere (e.g. nitrogen) to a temperature of about 500.degree. to about 950.degree. C. for about 15 to about 135 minutes. If the reaction product resulting from the first step is, prior to carrying out the second heating step, exposed to an oxygen-containing atmosphere such as air, the resultant product is a novel composition of matter comprising the actinide oxysulfite tetrahydrate which can also be readily converted to the actinide dioxide by heating it in the absence of an oxygen-containing atmosphere (e.g. nitrogen) at a temperature of about 400.degree.

Abstract: 1.

Abstract: A needle dispenser comprising a tubular body whose walls define a cavity therein for storage of needles, said body terminating in a first end which is sealed at its extremity and terminating at a second end in a substantially convex surface, said surface containing a substantially centrally located, substantially-circular aperture in communication with said cavity, said aperture having a diameter in excess of the maximum diameter of the greatest-diameter needles to be stored in said cavity. Preferably the cavity contains a plurality (e.g. 3-5) of B--B shot which prevents the needles from readily falling out of the aperture.

Abstract: An actinide dioxide, e.g. uranium dioxide, is prepared by reacting an actinide nitrate or hydrate or tetrahydrofuranate thereof, e.g. uranyl nitrate, a hydrate of uranyl nitrate or a tetrahydrofuranate of uranyl nitrate with an alkali or alkaline earth metal adduct of a monocyclic or polycyclic hydrocarbon in the presence of an inert organic solvent. Typically, the starting material may be uranyl nitrate dihydrate or uranyl nitrate ditetrahydrofuranate (the latter material is a novel composition of matter) with a reactant such as the sodium adduct of naphthalene in the presence of a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran. The resultant uranium dioxide may be further purified by heating it in the presence of hydrogen.

Abstract: Tris(difluoramino)methoxypentaerythrityl nitrates and perfluoroguanidine adducts of pentaerythrityl nitrates, useful as propellant ingredients, are disclosed.

Abstract: The initial step for conventionally reprocessing spent nuclear fuel is to treat the nuclear fuel rods with concentrated nitric acid at elevated temperatures to dissolve out the contents of the fuel rods. The resultant solution contains ruthenium values present in an oxidation state of at least +4 and the presence of such ruthenium values causes intolerably high corrosion of stainless steel equipment which may come in contact with the hot concentrated nitric acid solution. The corrosion of stainless steel from such ruthenium-containing nitric acid solutions may be inhibited by treating the solutions with a reducing agent comprising nitrogen oxide. It is especially convenient to generate the reducing agent in situ by adding a sugar (e.g. sucrose) to the nitric acid solution so as to reduce substantially all of the dissolved ruthenium values having an oxidation state of at least +4 to an oxidation state of less than +4.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon fuel vapors from an internal combustion engine are adsorbed during engine nonoperation on an adsorbent and thereafter desorbed during engine operation by backflowing atmospheric air therethrough and then combusted in said engine. Desorption is initiated and maintained when the total air flow to the engine reaches a predetermined minimum amount.

Abstract: An EPDM elastomer (e.g. ethylene/propylene/ethylidene norbornene) is blended with polypropylene (70-98 wt. %) and a halogenated phenol resin (1-20 parts per 100 parts of the elastomer). The blend may be cured and molded to provide articles having high flexural modulus and high impact resistance at low temperatures.

Abstract: An actinide dioxide, e.g., uranium dioxide, plutonium dioxide, neptunium dioxide, etc., is prepared by reacting the actinide nitrate hexahydrate with sodium dithionite as a first step; the reaction product from this first step is a novel composition of matter comprising the actinide sulfite tetrahydrate. The reaction product resulting from this first step is then converted to the actinide dioxide by heating it in the absence of an oxygen-containing atmosphere (e.g., nitrogen) to a temperature of about 500.degree. to about 950.degree. C. for about 15 to about 135 minutes. If the reaction product resulting from the first step is, prior to carrying out the second heating step, exposed to an oxygen-containing atmosphere such as air, the resultant product is a novel composition of matter comprising the actinide oxysulfite tetrahydrate which can also be readily converted to the actinide dioxide by heating it in the absence of an oxygen-containing atmosphere (e.g., nitrogen) at a temperature of about 400.degree.

Abstract: A battery is provided in which the anode contains as the anode-active material a metal selected from the group consisting of Group Ia metals, Group Ib metals, Group IIa metals, Group IIb metals, Group IIIa metals and Group IVa metals (lithium is preferred), the cathode contains as the cathode-active material a chalcogenide of the formula MZ.sub.x wherein M is an element selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, hafnium, niobium, tantalum and vanadium (titanium is preferred); Z is an element selected from the group consisting of sulfur, selenium and tellurium, and x is a numerical value between about 1.8 and about 2.1, and the electrolyte is one which does not chemically react with the anode or the cathode and which will permit the migration of ions from said anode-active material to intercalate the cathode-active material.

Abstract: An actinide dioxide, e.g. uranium dioxide, is prepared by reacting an actinide nitrate or hydrate or tetrahydrofuranate thereof, e.g. uranyl nitrate, a hydrate of uranyl nitrate or a tetrahydrofuranate of uranyl nitrate with an alkali or alkaline earth metal adduct of a monocyclic or polycyclic hydrocarbon in the presence of an inert organic solvent. Typically, the starting material may be uranyl nitrate dihydrate or uranyl nitrate ditetrahydrofuranate (the latter material is a novel composition of matter) with a reactant such as the sodium adduct of naphthalene in the presence of a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran. The resultant uranium dioxide may be further purified by heating it in the presence of hydrogen.

Abstract: A flying gaff, useful in gaffing large fish such as sharks, comprising a hook containing an elongated shaft and a wing member mounted on said shaft such that the wing member is capable of rotational movement around the shaft with little axial movement, said wing member having an aperture at its lower extremity through which a rope may be readily attached and detached. The gaff also includes a handle to detachably receive the lower extremity of the shaft such that the shaft may be readily urged into and detached from the handle.

Abstract: A photogalvanic device adaptable to the conversion of visible light to electrical energy, comprising a light-permeable cell; a light-sensitive electrolyte comprising a solution of a photoreducible dye and a material selected from the group consisting of a salt of iron, a salt of cobalt which is complexed with a chelating agent, and hydroquinone; a first electrode comprising a "N" type semiconductor material; a second electrode comprising an elemental metal having a valence of at least 2; a spacer element separating the first and second electrodes; means to seal the cell; and means for connecting the electrodes to an external circuit; the first and second electrodes are chemically inert to the electrolyte and are in contact therewith.

Abstract: A needlepoint and crewel-embroidery stitch remover having a handle secured to a member. The member terminates in a bifurcation with a long tine and a short tine with a cutting surface in the crotch between the tines.

Abstract: An improved fishing gaff having a hook with an elongated shaft, a handle comprising a tubular member and a cylindrical supporting member to receive the shaft and the handle. The supporting member has a length equal at least that of the shaft and has a channel disposed on its outer surface for receiving the shaft. The width and depth of the channel are equal to or less than the o.d. of the shaft and the supporting member contains means to restrict its length of insertion in the tubular member. When the shaft is inserted in the channel and the supporting member is inserted in the handle, axial and rotational movement of both the shaft and the supporting member are restricted.