Abstract: A method for preparing plutonium-238 (Pu-238) includes using a nuclear reactor in irradiating a liquid containing a neptunium-237 (Np-237) based compound with neutrons to convert a portion of the Np-237 based compound to a Np-238 based compound; retaining the liquid containing the resulting mixture for a sufficient amount of time for the Np-238 based compound to at least partially convert to a Pu-238 based compound; and separating the Pu-238 based compound from the neptunium based compounds using fractional distillation or a chemical separation method.

Abstract: Formulations useful for preparing hydrous cerium oxide gels contain a metal salt including cerium, an organic base, and a complexing agent. Methods for preparing gels containing hydrous cerium oxide include heating a formulation to a temperature sufficient to induce gel formation, where the formulation contains a metal salt including cerium, an organic base, and a complexing agent.

Abstract: A multi-part article of furniture, such as a chair or table, capable of being assembled without tools or glue is disclosed. The legs of the table or chair can be rigidly, but removably, attached to the table top or chair seat by slideably engaging an elongated dowel protruding from an upper side surface of the leg into a mating slot formed in the end wall of an apron attached to the underside of the table top or chair seat. Alternatively, the elongated dowel may protrude from the apron and the upper side surface of the leg may contain a mating slot. Fastening clips may provide additional attachment between the legs and aprons and a separate dowel protruding from the upper end surface of the leg may mate with a bore in the underside of the seat or table top. In one embodiment, the length of the legs is varied either by replacement with longer-length legs or by the addition of leg-extension members.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for separating and immobilizing a radioactive material comprising: contacting an aqueous medium containing said radioactive material with a reactive composition comprising at least one alkali metal, at least one Group IIIB metal and at least one phosphorus oxide; maintaining said reactive composition in contact with said aqueous medium for an effective period of time to react a desired amount of said radioactive material with said reactive composition to form a radioactive-material-containing composition; and separating said radioactive-material-containing composition from said aqueous medium. Radioactive-material-containing compositions exhibiting low leach rates are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is described for precious metal recovery from acidic precious metal-cyanide solutions by means of a weakly-basic anion-exchange material comprising a polymeric felt incorporating radiation-grafted pyridinyl functional groups.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for purifying a composition comprising at least one rare-earth element. The process is useful for removing radioactive impurities from these elements. The process comprises the steps of:(1) forming an aqueous solution of the composition to be purified having a pH between 4.0 and 6.5;(2) precipitating a portion of the rare earth and the radioactive impurities by adding to the solution, while maintaining the pH between 4.0 and 6.5;(i) a soluble barium or strontium salt;(ii) a soluble aluminum, magnesium or zirconium salt;(iii) a selective precipitating agent; and(iv) a sulfate ion-providing salt.The preferred selective precipitating agent is 8-hydroxyquinoline. After precipitation, the process is completed by the steps of:(3) separating the solution from the precipitate and(4) recovering purified rare earth from the solution.The process produces highly purified rare earth which can be used to form phosphors for X-ray screens.