Abstract: The invention is a specialized reaction cell for converting uranium metal to uranium oxide. In a preferred form, the reaction cell comprises a reaction chamber with increasing diameter along its length (e.g. a cylindrical chamber having a diameter of about 2 inches in a lower portion and having a diameter of from about 4 to about 12 inches in an upper portion). Such dimensions are important to achieve the necessary conversion while at the same time affording criticality control and transportability of the cell and product. The reaction chamber further comprises an upper port and a lower port, the lower port allowing for the entry of reactant gasses into the reaction chamber, the upper port allowing for the exit of gasses from the reaction chamber. A diffuser plate is attached to the lower port of the reaction chamber and serves to shape the flow of gas into the reaction chamber.

Abstract: An identification marker (17) is described for use in permanently identifying an individual histology sample (21), the marker including columnar indicia (18) mounted on a base (19) having a location flange (20). A specially adapted cassette having a slot (16) to receive the identification marker is described together with apparatus and method for moulding the indicia in a protein such as agar agar. The use of the identification marker is described firstly mounted in the cassette (11) during treatment of the sample (21) and later mounted beneath the cassette (11) in the slot (16) for wax embedding of the sample and identification marker. The marker (17) is sectioned simultaneously with the tissue sample (21) by means of a microtome (31), each section taken being identified by a section through the identification marker embedded alongside the sample.