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Ph nix
Research
Project Explores Uses
Of Atom in Peacetime
The Michigan Memorial-Phoenix Project is well underway for
more than a score of University researchers.
Dedicated to those who gave their lives in World War II, the
Project is already sponsoring research in peacetime uses of atomic
energy in fields ranging from archaeology to physics.
AMONG FIELDS INCLUDED IN the research project is medicine,
where Dr. Fred J. Hodges and Dr. Isadore Lampe, of the roentgenology
department of the University Hospital, are conducting experiments
using radioactive iodine to combat thyroid diseases, such as cancer
of the thyroid.
Liquid radioactive iodine is shipped to the hospital from
Oak Ridge in thick-walled lead containers. Radioactive "cock-
tails" are drawn off into small lead jugs before being downed by
the thyroid victims.
Radioactive iodine was first developed with the University cyclo-
tron, as were approximately one-fifth of the isotopes now known.
Botanical research is also being furthered by the Phoenix Project.
Prof. R. J. Lowry of the botany department is now conducting experi-
ments using radioactive isotopes to study chromosome division in
plants.
AT PRESENT, MUCH OF THE WORK consists of feeding radio-
active phosphorus to plants such as gasteria and garden peas. Pollen
from the plant which has been
treated is 'dusted onto a normal pn.
DATING MUMMIES-Eventually the Geiger counter shown in the above picture will be used to
determine the age of ancient remains. Still in t he testing stage, the device was designed by
Prof. H. R. Crane, left, of the physics department. In the picture, Mrs. Gloria Thornton, '49M,
and Peter Randolph, '51, right, are checking the Carbon 14 count indicated on the apparatus during
a trial run. The third assistant on the project, not shown, is Earl McDaniel, Grad.
In the cells which result from
the pollination, Prof. Lowry
hopes to be able to identify the
chromosomes donated by the
treated plant as distinct from
the normal chromosomes, thus
determining some of the effects
of radioactivity on plant hered-
ity.
Cooperating closely with Prof.
Lowry on the research is Prof.
Robley Williams, of the physics
department. Prof. Williams han-
dles parts of the project which de-
pend on the use of the electron
microscope.
ARCHEOLOGY will also bene-
fit shortly from Phoenix Project
research. Prof. H. R. Crane, of
the physics department, has de-
signed a special Geiger counter
which will be used by Prof. James
B. Griffin, of the archeology de-
partment, to determine the age of
ancient remains.
Now nearing the testing stage,
the device is the only apparatus
of its kind in the country out-
side of those located at the Uni-
versity of Chicago.
The counter will eventually
sport a covering of several tons
of lead to keep atmospheric Car-
bon 14 from interfering with the
counting of radioactive carbon in
substances of an unknown age.
Three kitchen-type clocks on
the instrument panel of the coun-
ter record the testing time of a
relatively "dead" substance, such
as coal, the unknown, and a con-
temporary substance which will
have a much higher radioactivity.
RESEARCH in the unknown
chemical forces which give mole-
cular compounds composed of the
same atoms different physical
properties is also being conducted
under the Phoenix Project.
Seymour Lewin, a graduate
fellow in the chemistry depart-
ment, is conducting experiments
to this end. using bromine com-
pounds. Radioactive atoms are
used in preparing the com-
pounds.
Then a compound containing
radioactive atoms is mixed with
one which has none. Then the
behavior of the radioactive atoms
when they combine with the non-
radioactive atoms of the other
compound can be observed.
A STUDY OF LAWS relating
to atomic power, being made by
Richard Tybout, a fellow in the
economics department,aforms an-
other phase of the far-reaching
project.
Eventually, the Phoenix Project
will sponsor studies in fields in-
cluding dentistry, anatomy, an-
thropology, forestry, pharmacol-
ogy, industry, education, popula-
tion redistribution, culture and
education.
Although the radioactive ma-
terials now used by the Phoenix
research workers are largely sup-
plied by the atomic energy plant
at Oak Ridge, Tenn., some are
made on campus with the use of
the cyclotron.'
Eventually, radioactive mater-'
ials will also be produced here
with the synchrotron. The use of
the home-grown product will
probably be restricted to thoseE
substances with a relatively brief
period of radioactivity.
The Navy Department is spon-
soring production of these ma-F
terials on campus jointly with the
University departments involved.
Today's
DAILY PICTURE PAGE
Story by JOHN P. DAVIES
Pictures by CARLYLE MARSHALL and ED KOZMA
PLANT PIONEER-Prof. R. J. Lowry, of the botany department,
is shown above probing the chromosomes of the garden pea with
special micro-dissecting needles. Prof. Lowry and Prof. Williams
are cooperating in a study concerning the effects of radioactivity
on plant chromosomes.
HALOGEN RESEARCH-Seymour Lewin, a research fellow in the
chemistry department, is shown above adjusting a distilling column
for his experimental work on the structure of halogens. He is
using radioactive isotopes to aid in probing the exchange reactions
of molecular compounds.
I
Peace Tension
Diagnosed By
Prof. Angell
PrItegrates Study for
UNESCO Division
Diagnosing tensions disturbing
to peace is the job of the UNESCO
division to which Prof. Robert C.
Angell, chairman of the sociology
department on leave since Sep-
tember, is attached.
"We do almost no research here,
but try to get good research done
on subjects in which we aredin-
terested in various parts of the
world," Prof. Angell stated in a
recent letter to the sociology de-
partment.
PROF. ANGELL termed the
work of the eight man staff on
which he servesas "largelyad-
ministrative."
The staff plans projects, ob-
tains people to carry them out
and checks up on performance
and attempts to integrate re-
sults, Prof. Angell noted.
As most of the plans of the
staff must be approved by the an-
nual General Conference of UN
ESCO, the group must turn in its
outlines well in advance of the
date work on them will begin,
Prof. Angell said.
DURING 1950, the division will
emphasize the study of "problems
that could cause internal tensions
leading to weakness and foreign
aggression, plus those leading to
external aggression against an-
other power," Prof. Angell stated.1
"Some of these studies will bel
about technology, minority groups,
and aggressive nationalism," Prof..
Angell said. "Others wviii concern
the cultural assimilation of immi-
C711nfQ ho X7Q~r of ifo f clff-1
Bus.Ad. Forum To Be Held
Starting Tuesday, the Univer- About 300 business men ar
sity will play host to a businsspeted to-attend the progra
men's forum. "
Sponsored by the business ad- "We have planned the fo
iniistration school, the forum will as -an introduction for theb
be primarily concerned with the iness man so he can make
publishing of mOre attractive and of the facilities here at
understandable yearly financial school to develop reportingr
reports. cedures which will reflect r
* * * accurately actual business op
SESSIONS OF THE forum will tions," Dean Russell A. Stev
be held in the Rackham Building. son of the business school&
,e ex-
ms.
rum
bus-
use
the.
pro-
more
era-
ven-
said.
Union Offers
AlumniInfo
An alumni Bulletin board and
information booth will appear
from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today in
the Union lobby.
"The board will provide helpful
information to alumni and vis-
itors, as well as giving alums a
chance to see if any of their old
classmates are in town and where
! they can be located," according to
Jim Root, '51E, of the Union staff.
Get Your Christmas Cards Now!
Headquarters for
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