Seaborg Second Nieuwland Lecturer A STAFF
ftLISTORICAL and
current developments
in the discovery of elements, pro ductive applications of atomic energy, and production and properties of the trans uranium elements were the subjects of the second annual Nieuwland Memorial Lec tures, delivered by Glenn T. Seaborg, di rector of the Chemical Radiation Labora tories of the University of California, at the University of Notre Dame. Nov. 17 to 19. The Nieuwland lectures, founded in memory of Rev. Julius A. Nieuwland, C.S.C, widely known for his chemical and other scientific research at Notre Dame, are presented annually at that university by an outstanding scientist. The award of this lectureship is to be made every third year in the field of botany, Father Nieuwland's other major field of research interest. The lectures were initiated last year when W. S. Calcott, of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Co., long-time friend of Father Nieuwland, gave a series of three lectures on "Industrial Research." Describing the discovery of elements, in his first lecture D r . Seaborg showed that there are now no gaps existing in the ele mental chart from the lightest to the heav iest element. T h e only place to look for new elements now is in the transuranium field where 93 wras found seven years ago and 94, 95, and 96 have been discovered since. Dr. Seaborg discussed his part in the work on t h e discovery of the last three—plutonium, americium, and cu rium—the special importance borne by plutonium in t h e atomic bomb, and the difficulties overcome in working out the chemical production of plutonium at a time when extremely small amounts were available. In the second lecture, on the possible applications of atomic energy to peacetime uses, it was told how plutonium might be used in atomic energy machines to gener ate power and how this might be advan tageous. Dr. Seaborg stated that a half pound of this element could furnish all the power needed for an entire day by a city the size of South Bend, Ind., with a popu lation of 130,000, but emphasized that this application is not just around the corner and explained some of the problems faced. One of the drawbacks pointed out was the present lack of suitable materials for the construction of a plant. Dr. Seaborg explained that materials would have to be found which do not readily absorb neu trons resulting from t h e atomic chain re action and t h a t means would then be needed for fabricating such a material. Atomic piles operate a t a comparatively low temperature, he said, and for the gen 3800
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eration of power a high temperature must be obtained. Thus, we must learn the properties of new materials xvhich will be able to withstand temperatures ranging from 500° to several thousand degrees F. Pointing out that such power installations
would necessarily be large for shielding and prevention of the escape of harmful radiations, Dr. Seaborg said that atomic energy probably would never be adapted to automobiles o r even locomotives, al though its use t o drive ships appeared feasible. He expressed the belief that one of the most important peacetime develop ments from atomic energy discoveries would be in the field of medicine, where through the use of tracers the progress of chemicals through tin» human body can be followed.
Condon Warns of Overconfident in Science A STAFF
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Ε MUST guard against verconfidence in our scientific ability said t£. U. Condon, director of the National Bureau of Stand ards, speaking at the banquet, of the Ajncrican Council of Commercial Laboratories in Washington, D. C , where they had as sembled for their annual meeting Dec. 8 and
