Heavy Water and the Wartime Race for Nuclear Energy

Heavy Water and the Wartime Race for Nuclear Energy
Author: Per F Dahl
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 420
Release: 2023-05-31
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1000948366

Heavy water (deuterium oxide) played a sinister role in the race for nuclear energy during the World War II. It was a key factor in Germany's bid to harness atomic energy primarily as a source of electric power; its acute shortage was a factor in Japan's decision not to pursue seriously nuclear weaponry; its very existence was a nagging thorn in the side of the Allied powers. Books and films have dwelt on the Allies' efforts to deny the Germans heavy water by military means; however, a history of heavy water has yet to be written. Filling this gap, Heavy Water and the Wartime Race for Nuclear Energy concentrates on the circumstances whereby Norway became the preeminent producer of heavy water and on the scientific role the rare isotope of hydrogen played in the wartime efforts by the Axis and Allied powers alike. Instead of a purely technical treatise on heavy water, the book describes the social history of the subject. The book covers the discovery and early uses of deuterium before World War II and its large-scale production by Norsk Hydro in Norway, especially under German control. It also discusses the French-German race for the Norwegian heavy-water stocks in 1940 and heavy water's importance for the subsequent German uranium project, including the Allied sabotage and bombing of the Norwegian plants, as well as its lesser role in Allied projects, especially in the United States and Canada. The book concludes with an overall assessment of the importance and the perceived importance of heavy water for the German program, which alone staked everything on heavy water in its quest for a nuclear chain reaction.

Deuterium

Deuterium
Author: Jaemoon Yang
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 132
Release: 2016-05-15
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0128110414

Deuterium: Discovery and Applications in Organic Chemistry provides a well-illustrated overview of the discovery of 2H or heavy hydrogen, the stable hydrogen isotope with both a proton and a neutron in its nucleus. The work introduces the isotope, its discovery, physical properties, nomenclature, and common compounds, also exploring its application in organic chemistry through classic and recent examples from literature. Finally, the book devotes one chapter to Deuterium in medicinal chemistry and the biological effects of Deuterium Oxide, better known as D2O. - Provides unique coverage not found elsewhere that is presented in an accessible, dedicated short work - Contains practical information and examples on the use of Deuterium (D or 2H, Heavy Hydrogen) in organic synthesis - Presents a detailed description of Deuterium's discovery and applications in the pharmaceutical industry

Firebird

Firebird
Author: Tony Rothman
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Total Pages: 443
Release: 2015-03-31
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1479405361

"Rothman's novel is filled with scientific discussions on everything from the equipment used to the different types of fusion, like cold or laser, complete with corresponding jargon. But Rothman turns all of it, even a convoluted conspiracy, into a diverting, worthwhile story... Intelligent in its technical details, but also refined and delightfully complex in its storytelling." -- Kirkus The world is moving towards alternative energy. Two giant laboratories, one in France, one in Texas, are engaged in a contest to give mankind a limitless source of energy-fusion, the energy source of stars. In France, the European Union is constructing the colossal ITER project. At CFRC, the Controlled Fusion Research Center near Austin, a scientists have constructed a machine they call Prometheus to challenge ITER. When the director of the Austin lab attempts to achieve fusion on the day of Prometheus' dedication, a near-fatal accident ensues, and in an instant the rivalry between ITER and CFRC becomes a race to change the future of the world. But was it an accident, or sabotage? Prominent physicist and writer Tony Rothman, PhD, uses his technical expertise to create a rare and timely novel based on genuine science. Not science fiction, the science of Firebird is as real as the collision between science and politics it portrays. Rothman, who has taught physics at Princeton and Harvard Universities, is the author of eleven books. He has won numerous writing awards and has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.

Thermodynamics and the Free Energy of Chemical Substances

Thermodynamics and the Free Energy of Chemical Substances
Author: Gilbert Newton Lewis
Publisher:
Total Pages: 690
Release: 1923
Genre: Chemistry, Physical and theoretical
ISBN:

The scope of thermodynamics. Definitions; the concept of equilibrium. Conventions and mathematical methods. Solutions. The first law of thermodynamics and the concept of energy. The fugacity. Application of the second law to solutions. The perfect solution. The laws of the dilute solution. Systems involving variables other than pressure, temperature and composition. A useful function, called the activity, and its application to solutions. Change of activity with the temperature, and the calculation of activity from freezing points. The standard change of free energy; the equilibrium constant. Solutions of electrolytes. The activity of strong electrolytes. The activity of electrolytes from freezing point data, and tables of activity coefficients. Activity coefficient in mixed electrolytes; the principle of the ionic strength; the activity of individual ions. The galvanic cell. Single potentials; standard electrode potentials of the elements. The third law of thermodynamics. The entropy of monatomic gases and a table of atomic entropies. Introduction to systematic free energy calculations: the free energy of elementary hydrogen and metallic hydrides. Oxygen and its compouns with hydrogen and with some metals. Chlorine and its compouns. Bromine and its compounds. Iodine and its compounds. Nitrogen compounds. Carbon and some of its compounds. Compounds of carbon and nitrogen. Table of free energies; and examples illustrating its use. Conversion table for mol fractions, mol ratios and molities. Some useful numerical factors. Coefficients employed in converting activity, equilibrium constant and free energy from one temperature to another. Publications by the authrs, pertaining to thermodynamics.

Nuclear Fission Reactors

Nuclear Fission Reactors
Author: I. R. Cameron
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 389
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1461335272

This book is intended to provide an introduction to the basic principles of nuclear fission reactors for advanced undergraduate or graduate students of physics and engineering. The presentation is also suitable for physicists or engineers who are entering the nuclear power field without previous experience with nuclear reactors. No background knowledge is required beyond that typically acquired in the first two years of an undergraduate program in physics or engineering. Throughout, the emphasis is on explaining why particular reactor systems have evolved in the way they have, without going into great detail about reactor physics or methods of design analysis, which are already covered in a number of excellent specialist texts. The first two chapters serve as an introduction to the basic physics of the atom and the nucleus and to nuclear fission and the nuclear chain reaction. Chapter 3 deals with the fundamentals of nuclear reactor theory, covering neutron slowing down and the spatial dependence of the neutron flux in the reactor, based on the solution of the diffusion equations. The chapter includes a major section on reactor kinetics and control, including'tempera ture and void coefficients and xenon poisoning effects in power reactors. Chapter 4 describes various aspects offuel management and fuel cycles, while Chapter 5 considers materials problems for fuel and other constituents of the reactor. The processes of heat generation and removal are covered in Chapter 6.

Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors

Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors
Author: Jovica Riznic
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 587
Release: 2021-10-02
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 0323853838

Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors: Atucha-II, the eighth volume in the JSME Series on Thermal and Nuclear Power Generation, provides a comprehensive and complete review of a single type of reactor in a very accessible and practical way. The book presents a close analysis of the Atucha reactor, covering reactor physics, aging management of major components, and the role of codes in PHWR and Nuclear Regulation and Licensing. Including contemporary capabilities and challenges of nuclear technology, the book offers solutions and advice on common problems faced, guiding the reader through safe and approved processes that will help them reach suitable solutions. Professionals involved in lifecycle assessments and researchers interested in the development and improvement of nuclear energy technologies will gain a deep understanding of PHWR nuclear reactor physics, design and licensing. - A comprehensive reference on the latest research on Atucha Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors and their impact on sustainability goals - Analyzes The Atucha-2 BEPU and LBLOCA - Considers the licensing of Atucha-2, its physics and aging management of major components

Analytical Profiles of Drug Substances and Excipients

Analytical Profiles of Drug Substances and Excipients
Author:
Publisher: Academic Press
Total Pages: 625
Release: 1994-09-05
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0080861180

Although the official compendia define a drug substance as to identity, purity, strength, and quality, they normally do not provide other physical or chemical data, nor do they list methods of synthesis or pathways of physical or biological degradation and metabolism. Such information is scattered throughout the scientific literature and the files of pharmaceutical laboratories. Edited by the Associate Director of Analytical Research and Development for the AmericanAssociation of Pharmaceutical Scientists, Analytical Profiles of Drug Substances and Excipients brings this information together into one source. The scope of the series has recently been expanded to include profiles of excipient materials.

Spin Resonance Spectroscopy

Spin Resonance Spectroscopy
Author: Chandran Karunakaran
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 380
Release: 2018-01-02
Genre: Science
ISBN: 012813609X

Spin Resonance Spectroscopy: Principles and Applications presents the principles, recent advancements and applications of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) in a single multi-disciplinary reference. Spin resonance spectroscopic techniques through NMR and EPR are widely used by chemists, physicists, biologists and medicinal chemists. This book addresses the need for new spin resonance spectroscopy content while also presenting the principles, recent advancements and applications of NMR and EPR simultaneously. Ideal for researchers and students alike, the book provides a single source of NMR and EPR applications using a dynamic, holistic and multi-disciplinary approach. - Presents a highly interdisciplinary approach by including NMR and EPR applications in chemistry, physics, biology and biotechnology - Addresses both NMR and EPR, making its concepts and applications implementable in multiple resonance environments and core scientific disciplines - Features a broad range of methods, examples and illustrations for both NMR and EPR to aid in retention and underscore key concepts