Annual Report 1957

National Bureau

of Standards

U. S. Department of Commerce

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Sinclair Weeks, Secretary

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

A. V. Astin, Director

4

Annual Report 1957

National Bureau

of Standards

Issued for

Fiscal Year 1957

Miscellaneous Publication 223

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office Washington 25, D. C. - Price 45 cents

Contents

Page

1. General Review 1

1.1. Introduction 1

1.2. Technical Activities 2

1.3. Administrative Activities ]]

1.4. Publications 12

2. Research and Development Program ]2

2.1. Electricity and Electronics 13 Fundamental electrical units 13, Electron devices 13, Highvoltage measurements 13, Dielectric properties of polymers 14, Electronic reliability 14, Document-sensing devices 15, Transistor wireless microphone 15, Free-floating automatic weather buoy 15, Reference electrode for fused salts 16.

2.2. Optics and Metrology 16 Standards of illumination 16, Light and color standards 17, Specification for screw threads 17, High-precision gage

blocks 17, Structure of glasses 18, Measurements of flashing

lights 20, Airplane instrument panel filters 20, Visual landing

aids for aircraft 20.

2.3. Heat I 21 Temperature standards 21, High-temperature research 23, Thermodynamics 23, Low-temperature physics 25, Combustion 25.

2.4. Atomic and Radiation Physics 26

Radiation protection 26, Spectroscopic research 27, Highaltitude observatory 28, Solid state physics 28, Electron

physics tables 29, Scattering of low-energy electrons 29, Neutron penetration in water 30, Penetration of gamma

radiation 30, Ionization chamber for calibrations 30, Ionization measurements 31, Low-energy X-rays 31, High-energy

accelerator research 32, Photographic films for X-ray meas- urements 32.

2.5. Chemistry 33

Inorganic and analytical chemistry 33, Physical and electro-, chemistry 35, Organic chemistry 36, Air pollution 38.

2.6. Mechanics 38 Measurement of sound and vibration 38, Hygrometry 39, Pressure measurement 39, Mixing in bodies of water 39, Fluid slip at nonwettable surfaces 39, Stress-strain recorders 40, Dynamic properties of materials 40, Density of tungsten wire 41, Jet engine controls 41, Aircraft fuel accessories 41, Gas turbine radiation 42.
2.7. Organic and Fibrous Materials

Glass transition temperatures of copolymers 42, Degradation of

cellulose by ultraviolet light 43, Effects of high-energy

radiation 43, Fracture of plastics 44, Smoothness of printing paper 45, Sewability of cotton thread 45, Fluorescence of human enamel and dentin 45, Improved material for treating teeth 46, Structural changes in rubber during vulcanization 46, Oil -extended rubber 46, Influence of temperature on chrome tanning 47, Heats of wetting 47, Mildew-proofing of

leathers 47, Sedimentation equilibrium of flexible chain

molecules 48, Effects of high rates of straining 49, Effects of molding pressure on reinforced plastics 49, Surface erosion

of plastics 49, Gallium alloys 50, Color standards for dental

materials 50, Crystal chemistry of mineralized tissue 50.

2.8. Metallurgy

Equilibrium diagrams 51, Deformation of metals 51, Microscopic stresses in metals 52, Corrosion 53, Materials for ultraprecise gage blocks 53, High-strength alloys 54, Stainless steels 55.

2.9. Mineral Products

Spectra of calcium silicates and aluminates 56, Structure and

ferroelectricity 57, Phase relations in system lime-alumina- water 57, Vaporization processes at high temperatures 58, Excess entropy of glass 58, High-temperature properties of

silica 59, Properties of porcelain enamels 59, Thermochemistry of cement compounds 60, Special optical glasses 61, Spalling of concrete at elevated temperatures 61, Standard X-ray diffraction patterns 61, Crystal structure of inorganic materials 62. 2.10. Building Technology

Design stress in reinforced concrete 62, Cracks in reinforced concrete 63, Air cleaners for helicopters 63, Metering heat

sink for refrigerated enclosures 63, Standards for built-up

roofs 64, Asphalt roofing 64, Thermal insulation with

reflective surfaces 64, Analyzer for transient heat flow 65, Mechanism of fire extinguishment 66. 2.11. Applied Mathematics

Numerical analysis 67, Mathematical [tables 68, Digital computation 68, Statistical engineering 69, Mathematical physics 70.

2.12. Data Processing Systems

SEAC 71, Components and techniques 71, Computer circuit packaging 72, Magnetic tape devices for input-output 73,

Pilot electronic data-processor 73, Advanced computer sys- tems 73, Transistor magnetic-core circuitry 73, Control systems and simulation 74, Data processing applications 75, Processing first-class mail 76.

2.13. Cryogenic Engineering

Low-temperature properties of materials 77, Cryogenic processes 79, Cryogenic equipment 79, Gas liquefaction 81.
Page

2.14. Radio Propagation 82 Radio Propagation Physics 82

Participation in the International Geophysical Year 82, Origin of ionospheric fading 84, Nighttime ionospheric

reflections 85, Radio noise from Jupiter 85, Oscillations

in the earth's atmosphere 85. Radio Propagation Engineering 85 Low-frequency propagation 85, Worldwide radio systems

engineering 85, Tropospheric forward scatter theory 86, Bending of radio waves 86, Radio studies of atmospheric

turbulence 86, Tacan investigation 87.

2.15. Radio Standards 88 Attenuation 88, Field-strength, noise, and interference 88, Frequency 89, Impedance 90, Power 91, Voltage 92, Dielectric measurements 92, Magnetic materials 92, Micro- wave spectroscopy of gases 93, Millimeter waves 94.

2.16. Basic Instrumentation 94 Instrument reference service 95, Indexing system 96, Improved indexing systems 96, Surveys 96, Exploratory in- vestigations 96.

3. Calibration, Testing, and Standard Samples 96

3.1. Assistance in Establishing Standards Laboratories 97

3.2. New Calibration Facilities and Equipment 97

Electronic calibration center 97, Mobile cement testing labora- tory 98, Resistance thermometry 98, High-speed photoelectric

spectrometers 99.

3.3. Services Discontinued 100

3.4. Services to the Public and Government 100

3.5. Standard Samples Program 103

4. Cooperative Activities 105

4.1. Federal Specifications 106

4.2. Methods of Test 106

4.3. Industry Specifications 107

4.4. Cooperative Research With Industry 108

4.5. Weights and Measures 110 Metering liquefied petroleum gas 111, The 42d National Conference 111.

4.6. Free-Radicals Research Program 112

4.7. Educational Program 112

4.8. International Cooperation 113

4.9. Other Cooperative Activities 114

Safety codes and building technology 114, Dental materials 115, Applied mathematics and data processing 116, Services to other Government agencies 117.

5. Appendixes 118

5.1. Organization 118

5.2. Fiscal Data on NBS Program 121

5.3. Advisory Committees 121

5.4. Awards and Honors 123

5.5. The National Conference on Weights and Measures—Its Organization

and Procedure 124

5.6. List of Publications and Patents 127

V

1. General Review

1.1. Introduction

The establishment of new and better standards of physical measure- ment and the development of techniques and instruments for using these standards throughout the Nation are the primary concerns of the National

Bureau of Standards. Advancement in measurement is fundamental to technological progress and to scientific growth.

To fulfill its principal responsibilities, the Bureau must conduct an

imaginative and vigorous research and development program in the

physical and engineering sciences. This report reviews the Bureau's work

for the past year and presents some of the more significant achievements

resulting from the work. Standards and measurement are fields of

dynamic research interest. There are literally hundreds of physical

standards, and there is a continuous search for new ones. Every major

scientific advance must be preceded and followed by new standards and

measurement techniques and associated standards.

Precision measurement almost always precedes important developments

in the experimental sciences. In fact, the precisions achieved in measure- ment may well be considered as indicators of the stage of progress in a particular experimental science. Greater accuracies in experimental data

enable, in many cases, the reconciliation of conflicting research theories

and the advancement to "discovery" which is so significant in the opening

of new areas of scientific investigation.

The effort devoted to the measurement sciences, therefore, should be

consistent with need for newer and more refined techniques and instru- mentation. In the past decade, research, in both public and private

laboratories, has expanded at a rapid rate. The requirement for finer tolerances in our production industries has also become more pressing.

New areas of scientific and industrial development have been opened up, each requiring new data on the basic properties of materials, new standards as reference points in making systematic progress, and new methods

of measurement which are reliably related to the whole chain of standards

and physical constants. The National Bureau of Standards is conscious of its responsibilities to these new areas of science and technology. In many of these areas, professional members of the Bureau's staff are conducting important

pioneering research studies in order to produce the critical measurement

data required. Within the limits of its budget, and with the cooperation

of other scientific organizations throughout the country, the Bureau is following a course of increased concentrated activity in the field oi measurement research.
1.2. Technical Activities

Standards and Measurement. As in previous years, the Bureau's principal activity was the development and improvement of standards and

methods of physical measurement. For example, intensive research was

carried on at the Boulder Laboratories to establish atomic standards of

frequency and time. Based on an unchanging property of the atom, such

standards would have significant advantages over the present standard

the rotating earth. Because the earth's rotation about its axis is subject

to irregular variations and at the same time is gradually slowing down,

it has been replaced by international agreement by a specific period of

its rotation about the sun (the topical year 1900) as the basis for our standard of time. This action was considered an interim step preceding

the final development of an atomic standard as more stable, accurate,

and dependable. During the past year, both a cesium-beam spectrometer

and an ammonia-beam spectrometer were put into operation as potential

atomic standards with a precision of 1 part in 1 bilhon. The precision was hmited to this value by the instability of the quartz -crystal oscillators associated with the two instruments.

Standard frequencies based on the rotating earth are now available at the Boulder Laboratories to an accuracy of 1 part in 100 million and a constancy better than 1 part in 1 billion. However, it is expected that

science and industry will soon require even more rigorous tolerances. To

meet this situation, research on the stability of quartz -crystal oscillators was intensified. Preliminary results indicated that a substantial reduction in frequency aging and frequency drift with temperature may be

obtained by reducing the temperature of the crystal.

Work on improved standards covered a variety of fields. To increase

the accuracy of the present temperature scale, a photoelectric pyrometer was developed for measurement of high temperatures; preliminary studies

indicate that a precision of 0.1 deg C at 2,000° C is attainable. Progress was made in designing a re-entrant type of ionization chamber for cali- bration of small radium and cobalt-60 sources. Such a chamber should

appreciably reduce measurement time and exposure of operating personnel

to radiation. The microcalorimeter for the calibration of bolometer

mounts in waveguide systems was refined to such a point that it is now

possible to calibrate these mounts with an accuracy of 1 percent or better. A special technique was devised for very -high-intensity calibration of

microphones used to measure sound intensities in the vicinity of jet

aircraft. Under the sponsorship of the Army Ordnance Corps, construction was begun on an improved pressure measuring device for dynamic

calibration at high pressures. Work continued under Air Force sponsorship on a new pressure standard for calibration of high-altitude instru- ments. A standard hygrometer was designed for measuring the humidity

of gases. Part I of a new edition of Handbook H28, Screw-Thread Standards for Federal Services, was completed and prepared for publication.

Progress was made in developing color standards for dental materials.

2 .

I
At the request of the Joint Electron Tube Engineering Council, the

Bureau developed light standards of red, green, and blue for color tele- vision tubes. An absolute determination of the ampere in terms of the mechanical

units of length, mass, and time was completed, using the modified Rayleigh

type of current balance last used in 1940. The result agreed within 3 parts per million with that obtained last year using a radically different current balance of the Pellat type.

Of considerable potential value to American industry was the development of an interferometer that compares lengths to the nearest 10-millionth of an inch. This extremely precise instrument will be used to check lengths of industry's master gage blocks which control the tol- erances of mass-produced machine parts. An instrument of this accuracy

has been greatly needed because of the extremely small dimensional

tolerances now required for parts used in the guided-missile, jet-aircraft,

machine-tool, and other industries. At present the Bureau calibrates master gage blocks to an accuracy of

1 part in 1 million, that is, to the nearest millionth of an inch for inchlong blocks. However, the use of continually smaller tolerances in industry has caused machine-tool manufacturers to request that the Bureau

develop procedures for calibrating their master gage blocks on a regular

basis to 1 part in 10 million. Because of the extreme importance of this work, the Congress has specifically requested increased effort on the project, and 11 major industrial firms have made supplementary funds avail- able so that the necessary research can be carried out as soon as possible.

Objectives of the project are twofold: (1) to develop the necessary instrumentation and methods, and (2) to develop more stable materials

for gage blocks so that measured lengths will not change appreciably with

time. In connection with the latter phase, the Bureau is now evaluating

gage block materials for dimensional stability, wear and corrosion resist- ance, and thermal expansion. Development of the precise interfero- metric comparator represents an important step toward the goal of this program. A major problem yet remaining is the development of means

for absolute calibration—to the nearest 10-millionth of an inch—of the

primary standard gage blocks with which the Bureau compares industry's

master gage blocks. Other fields of measurement continued to be active. In work partially

supported by the Office of Naval Research and the Atomic Energy Commission, an instrument was developed that promises to extend electron

scattering measurements to a greater precision and range of angles than was previously possible. A method that gives a precision of 1 part in 10

thousand was devised for the coulometric titration of acids and bases. A highly accurate technique for measuring the speed of sound in water was worked out for sonar use by the Navy. In connection with a project

sponsored by the U. S. Bureau of Mines, an adiabatic calorimeter providing high precision within the temperature range from 30° to 500° C was

3
developed for measuring the thermodynamic properties of sulfur. Until

now, accurate thermodynamic data on sulfur have been lacking because

of the difficulty of calorimetric determinations on a material of such

complex behavior.

Advances were also made in analytical techniques. For example, a procedure was devised for determining and controlling the composition

of barium titanate ceramic dielectrics, vital to national defense. A rapid

V et highly accurate spectrometric method was developed for determining

impurities in high-purity gases. With this technique, the impurities in nitrogen, water vapor, and hydrogen can be measured in concentrations

as low as 1 part per million and the time required is only 6 seconds per element. Because of its high speed, the method is particularly well adapted for monitoring the composition of a continuously flowing gas. A method was also devised for interpreting the very complex mass spectra

of smog samples condensed at the temperature of liquid nitrogen.

Properties of Matter and Materials. Of broad scientific interest was

an experiment with polarized atomic nuclei at a temperature near absolute

zero. Carried out by Bureau scientists in collaboration with Professor C. S. ¥u of Columbia University, this experiment first demonstrated that

the quantum mechanical law of parity conservation does not hold in beta

decay of radioactive cobalt. 1 This result shattered a fundamental concept

of nuclear physics that had been universally accepted for the past 30

years. It thus cleared the way for a reconsideration of current physical | theories with the possibility of new, far-reaching discoveries regarding the nature of matter. In particular, removal of the restrictions imposed by parity conservaj tion promises to bring order to the theoretical chaos now existing in re- gard to subatomic particles. It is generally held that the new "elemenj tary" particles from proton accelerators are manifestations of the forces

j that bind the nucleus together. Thus, a better understanding of these I particles may well lead to a more fundamental, unifying theory of matter

j and energy.

Basically, parity conservation in quantum mechanics means that two

physical systems, one of which is a mirror image of the other, must be-

| have in identical fashion except for the mirror image effect. In other

j words, nature is symmetrical and makes no fundamental distinction be-

| tween right- and left-handed rotations or between the opposite sides of a subatomic particle. Thus, for example, two similar radioactive particles j spinning in opposite directions about the same axis should emit the same | intensity of radioactivity in any given direction. Neither the right- j nor the left-handed rotation should be favored by a greater intensity of emission so long as parity is conserved. In the experiment at the Bureau, cobalt-60 nuclei were directionally

oriented by subjecting them to a magnetic field at low temperature. It

1 This finding provided experimental verification of the theoretical work of T. D. Lee of Columbia University and C. N. Yang of the Institute for Advanced Study, for which these two scientists received the 1957 Nobel Prize in Physics. 4
was found that emission of beta particles is greater in one direction along

the axis of nuclear spin than along the other. This finding unequivocally

demonstrated that parity is not conserved in beta decay of cobalt-60.

Significant progress was made during the year on three projects directed

toward a better understanding of the basic interaction of high-energy

X-rays with matter. In the first of these projects, which was supported

by the Air Research and Development Command, it was found possible to use the scattering of 15 -million-volt X-rays to study in detail the shape

of the X-ray spectrum, from a high-energy electron accelerator. Knowledge of the shape of this spectrum will be of considerable value in inter- preting data on nuclear energy levels obtained with betatrons and

synchrotrons.

The other two projects, which were supported by the Atomic Energy

Commission, have provided information about the structure of the

nucleus. In one of these, it was found that study of the photoproduction

of 7T° mesons from carbon leads to information on the distribution of nuclear matter within the carbon nucleus. In the second study, a cor- relation was found between the photoneutron yield from a given nucleus

and the deformation of the nuclear surface. Experimental studies of high-energy radiation led to a theory which

explains the basic features of radiation effects on polymers. Knowledge

of these mechanisms suggests new areas of experimental attack which

should aid in developing techniques for improving polymeric materials

by atomic radiation, and for producing radiation-resistant materials. In another branch of polymer science, infrared absorption studies provided

information on the molecular structures resulting from different methods

of vulcanizing rubber. Such knowledge is important to an understanding

of the physical properties of rubber.

After 5 years of intensive effort, the third volume of Atomic Energy

Levels (NBS Circular 467) was completed. This compilation contains

all available information on energy levels, quantum numbers, magnetic

splitting factors, and electron configurations derived from 124 spectra

of 32 elements (42 Mo to 57 La, and 72 Hf to 89 Ac). Most of the new

information on technetium, ruthenium, iodine, hafnium, tantalum,

rhenium, and actinium resulted from research at the Bureau. The

results for actinium show that this element introduces, in the seventh

period of the periodic chart of the elements, another group of 14 "rare earths" in which f-type electrons are more or less firmly incorporated

into the outer structure of the heavier elements, thorium, protactinium,

uranium, neptunium, plutonium, etc. The refractory and light metals, such as titanium and zirconium, have

many special properties which make them particularly important to modern industry and the armed services. However, their deposition

potentials are so far above hydrogen in the electromotive series that none

of them can be deposited from aqueous solutions. For several years the Bureau has been investigating the relatively unexplored field of electro- deposition from organic solutions. During 1957 this work resulted in5
the deposition of beryllium, magnesium, titanium-aluminum alloys, and

zirconium-aluminum alloys. In addition, improvement was made in a process developed in 1952 for electrodepositing aluminum from organic

solutions. In low-temperature research sponsored by the Atomic Energy Commission, an unusually effective catalyst was developed for converting

ortho- to parahydrogen. This catalyst, hydrous ferric oxide, is greatly

simplifying the problem of liquid hydrogen storage. The ortho molecules I are unstable at low temperatures and gradually change into para molecules, liberating heat energy in the process and causing wasteful evaporation. Before the development of hydrous ferric oxide and other conversion catalysts, the problem of evaporation in storage could be met

only by the use of special refrigeration equipment.

Valuable information on the structure and properties of matter may

eventually result from a 3 -year program of basic research initiated during

the year. The object of the program is to increase fundamental knowledge of the formation, properties, and storage of the highly reactive i molecular fragments known as free radicals. Ordinarily free radicals exist only for a very short period in systems

such as flames and hot gases. However, within the past 5 years, methods

have been developed in a number of laboratories for capturing and

storing them, mainly at low temperatures. Such storage techniques now promise to provide an important tool for the study of atomic and

molecular physics and for research in basic chemistry. However, before

this promise can be realized much additional research must be done on

free radicals of all types in order to provide information on their properties \ in solid, liquid, and gaseous phases; their recombination rates at various

temperatures; and their reactions with other materials. The free radicals program was set up to provide an integrated approach to these problems

and to stimulate new areas of research in the field. Financial support of the program is provided by the Department of

Defense through the Office of Ordnance Research, U. S. Army.

Data Processing Systems. This program includes research, developj ment, systems design and analysis, and technical advisory services in j both digital and analog computer technology. An increasing number of ! Government agencies are seeking the Bureau's technical advisory services on the use of high-speed digital techniques in new areas of potential

application such as massive paperwork operations, control systems,

j and simulation, as well as in the solution of specific technical problems.

Since 1950, the Bureau's high-speed digital computer SEAC has been ! operated, mainly on a round-the-clock schedule, to solve a variety of

problems in science, engineering, and management. In 1957, however, a more powerful computational machine of advanced design was obtained

from a commercial supplier for this purpose, and SEAC was converted

into a facility for research on data processing applications and for engineering studies of computer components and systems. Preparation for this
new role was under way throughout the year, involving installation of new

input-output circuitry and additional memory equipment.

Included in the new SEAC equipment is an input-output staticizer which makes possible direct communication of SEAC with an analog

computer. Thus, the two machines can now be used together in combination with display equipment to simulate complex systems in which human

operators comprise serial elements in control loops. Plans call for the

use of this combined assembly to simulate the flight of a manned supersonic aircraft with ground control and to provide prompt computation of

the data for analysis.

Progress was made in a cooperative program with the Patent Office for the mechanization of patent search operations. The Bureau developed a procedure for use of SEAC in searching topological structures, and applied

it to an element-by-element search of chemical structures in steroid patents. A comprehensive machine procedure was also developed for general searches of patents pertaining to the composition of matter. Under sponsorship of the Rome Air Development Center, automatic

scanning equipment was designed that permits a digital computer to accept automatically an image from a photograph or drawing into its memory, and to reproduce a facsimile copy from its memory or to display

the image as modified by internal processing. New techniques of mathematics, logic, and linguistics that may be applicable to the solution of complex problems in information retrieval were also explored, and work

was done on a machine program to investigate the syntactical structure of a variety of English sentences. Design specifications were under development for a large-scale pilot

data processor that will combine in a single installation a number of

different characteristics not ordinarily found in one machine. These

include high computation rate, flexibility of communication with external

devices, and a wide variety of internal processing operations. A machine

of this scope is needed for experimental investigations of such problems

as patent searching and the real-time scheduling and control of air traffic. At present, realistic test runs on large-scale data-reduction, record, and

information retrieval problems are beyond the capabilities of available

equipment.

International Geophysical Year. At the close of the fiscal year, extensive preparations were under way for NBS participation in the Inter- national Geophysical Year of 1957-58. During the IGY, which began

July 1, 1957, and will continue through December 31, 1958, several thousand scientists representing some 60 nations will make simultaneous

worldwide observations of the earth and its immediate cosmic environ- ment. The data gathered in this huge cooperative measurement program

should help answer questions regarding the size and shape of the earth,

the origins of earthquakes, the causes of radio blackouts, the sources of

weather disturbances, and many other earth phenomena.

The United States National Committee for the IGY, organized by the

National Academy of Sciences—National Research Council, is planning

7
and directing U. S. participation in the program, while the National

Science Foundation is reponsible for the Government's fiscal sponsorship, j The National Bureau of Standards is concerned principally with collecting I and analyzing data of upper atmospheric phenomena and radio propaga- i tion. Centered in the Boulder Laboratories, where most NBS radiopropagation research is carried on, the Bureau's part in the IGY program

involves the active participation of more than 100 staff members.

The greatest part of the Bureau's effort will be concerned with variations in the ionosphere, the electrically charged region of the upper atmos- j phere 25 to 250 miles above the earth. By reflecting radio waves the , ionosphere makes possible long-distance transmission between such points

as New York and London. Changes in the various layers of the iono- | sphere, which may be caused largely by solar activity, greatly affect the

quality of long-range reception in different frequency ranges. Intense ionospheric activity is expected during the IGY period, and

j IGY scientists hope to gather enough information about the ionosphere

so that much improved predictions of radio propagation conditions can be made. Because of its many years of experience in ionospheric studies, j the Bureau has been given responsibility for the ionospheric data program j in the Western Hemisphere. Altogether it is directly concerned with some ; 37 of the almost 200 stations scattered throughout the world that will be j making vertical soundings of the ionosphere. It is equipping and supplying 19 new stations, carefully located to fill important gaps in the world \ network. Five of these—the antarctic sounding stations—will be oper- ated by NBS and the others will be closely guided in their work by Bureau I staff members. The pre-IGY network of 7 NBS-operated and 11 asso- j ciated stations will continue through the IGY period. Simultaneous j data gathered by all the stations will be plotted a ad analyzed to provide

j a global picture of the ionosphere and its properties.

One of the outstanding mysteries in the propagation of radio waves by j the ionosphere is the phenomenon known as sporadic E. Very high

| frequencies, such as television and FM signals, ordinarily pass through

the ionosphere into space without reflection. Sometimes, however, these i signals are reflected spasmodically and erratically back from highly ' ionized patches in the ionosphere, and are heard over distances of more

j than 1,000 miles. This phenomenon is called sporadic E from its uncer-' tain nature and from the fact that reflection takes place in the J5-layer of

the ionosphere. As part of the IGY program, the Bureau is intensifying

( its study of sporadic E, operating carefully controlled circuits in the Far

j East, South America, the Caribbean, and the United States. In one ; experiment, a study is being made of the scattering of radio waves from

the lower portion of the ^-region in the vicinity of the magnetic equator. , Another major activity is an experiment to determine the comparative \ behavior of sporadic E ionization in the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.

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I
The Bureau will play an important part in the IGY study of radio

noise. Here the objective will be to learn more about radio interference

and propagation through the atmosphere and ionosphere. Sixteen

worldwide stations for noise observations have been set up in cooperation

with other U. S. agencies and other countries. One American noise

station is at Byrd Base in Antarctica; others are in Hawaii, Greenland,

and the Canal Zone, as well as the continental United States. NBSequipped stations operated by foreign countries are in South Africa,

Ghana, Morocco, Australia, Brazil, Malaya, India, Sweden, and Japan.

All data from the various stations will be forwarded to the Boulder

Laboratories for analysis.

The results of this study will not only provide valuable information

about radio propagation and meteorology but will also establish an engineering basis for assigning frequencies to stations. For the commercial

and military radio users who must know which frequencies are best for use at a given time and place, forecasts will be made of the amount of unwanted noise that will interfere with their communications. With

other information provided by the Bureau, they will be able to tell the

minimum transmitter power than can be used to get their information

to the receiver in spite of competition from noise of natural origin.

Another atmospheric phenomenon of interest to IGY scientists is airglow, a faint night-sky luminescence rarely visible to the naked eye. The Bureau will operate two airglow observing stations and has supplied

special equipment for airglow observation to others in the American chain

of 13 airglow stations which runs from Thule, Greenland, to San Juan,

Argentina. It is hoped that the airglow data, when combined with the

findings of other upper atmosphere programs, will reveal information

about the composition, temperature, and dynamics of the upper atmosphere.

The day-to-day coordination of a large part of IGY observations will be

accomplished through the most extensive communication network ever arranged for scientific research purposes. Focal point of the system is the Bureau's radio forecasting center near Washington, which has been

selected as the IGY World Warning Agency by the international IGY

committee. From this nerve center of the IGY program, located at Fort

Belvoir, Virginia, warnings will be flashed to scientists throughout the

world to redouble their observational efforts in anticipation of unusual

activity in cosmic rays, aurora, earth magnetism, and ionospheric

disturbances. With the activation of the IGY World Warning Agenc)

.

the telegraphic reporting of significant solar, ionospheric, and related data was increased tenfold at the forecasting center so that all outstanding

phenomena of significance for geophysical experiments can now be made

known in less than 24 hours.

Calibration, Testing, and Standard Samples. The Bureau insures the accuracy of countless industrial and scientific instruments by comparing

the master standards of other laboratories and industry with the national
standards of physical measurement. Such calibration services are vital to industrial and scientific progress, insuring the accuracy of working

standards throughout the Nation. Testing, on the other hand, is almost

entirely confined to requests from Federal agencies, usually in connection

with quantity purchase of materials like cement for Government use. More than 149,000 calibrations and tests were performed in fiscal year

1957. During the year, improvements in calibration facilities increased both

the accuracy and efficiency of the services. For example, a mobile

cement-testing laboratory, housed in a trailer, was put into operation to supplement the 5 permanent cement-testing laboratories maintained by

the Bureau in various parts of the country. The resistance thermometry

laboratory, which maintains the temperature scale from 10 degrees above

absolute zero to 630° C, was relocated and modernized, and new equipment was added to improve calibration accuracy and reduce costs. An

experimental frequency broadcast was begun, making possible frequency

measurements to a precision of 1 part in 1 billion throughout the continental United States. At the close of the year, housing for the new Electronic Calibration

Center at the NBS Boulder Laboratories was virtually completed. The

center is being set up to meet the urgent needs of the armed services for accurately calibrated electronic equipment.

Closely related to the calibration program is the work on standard

samples of chemicals, metals, and alloys, which are issued to industrial

and research laboratories. Standard samples are materials that are

certified for chemical composition or for some physical or chemical property, such as heat of combustion, melting point, or index of refraction. They provide bases of comparison so that, for example, the manufacturer

of a chemical can control its purity by comparing his product with the

standard sample. Standard samples make possible uniform measure- ments of heat and temperature, define the colors of paints, and calibrate the instruments that control the composition of synthetic rubbers and

motor fuels. During 1957 the number of different standard materials

available from the Bureau as samples was increased from 575 to 580,

and 38 827 individual standard samples were issued. To meet pressing

demands in industry, a 3 -year program was initiated for the preparation

of 150 new spectrometric standard samples, of which 55 were nearing

completion at the end of the year. Cooperative and Consulting Services. The Bureau's advisory and co- operative activities are of considerable value in science, industry, and

Government. For example, the Bureau cooperates with state and municipal governments in the field of weights and measures. Here the Bureau

has fundamental responsibility for the standards of weights and measures

whereas the state and local governments possess regulatory authority for maintenance of uniform procedures. The Bureau contributes to these

local bodies the means and methods whereby measurements in commerce may be made in a uniform manner, consistent with the national standards.

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Cooperation with other Federal agencies ranges from the supplying of

technical information upon request to long-range projects undertaken

through various scientific and technical committees. An important area of interagency cooperation is the development and establishment of

Federal Specifications. Issued by the General Services Administration,

these specifications result in purchase economies by establishing criteria that govern quality and by providing opportunity for all businesses to compete for Federal trade through the bid system. The Bureau has ac- cepted responsibility for preparation and maintenance of 215 Federal

Specifications covering a wide range of materials and products. At the

request of GSA and other agencies, it reviews approximately 500 proposed

specifications each year for technical adequacy and test procedures.

Another phase of technical cooperation, somewhat broader in scope,

is the Bureau's participation in the work of national and international

societies, associations, and standardizing bodies. During the past year, Bureau staff members held approximately 1,550 positions in groups such

as the American Society for Testing Materials, American Standards Association, Institute of Radio Engineers, American Physical Society, Inter- national Organization for Standardization, and the International Union

of Pure and Applied Chemistry. By participating in these organizations,

the Bureau is able to play an active part in bringing new advances of

science into the technology of American industry, in developing test methods, in standardizing materials and products for greater economy

and improved quality, and in establishing uniform scientific standards

throughout the world.

1.3. Administrative Activities

The Bureau's activities are of two major budgetary classes: first, the

basic programs which are supported by directed appropriations from the

Congress; second, various projects undertaken for other Government

agencies with funds transferred from those agencies.

During 1957, the total funds obligated for both areas of activity, in- cluding, construction and facilities, were $28,011,000. Of this total,

$10,010,000 came from direct Congressional appropriation for the basic

program and the remaining $18,001,000 represented programs conducted

for other Government agencies and private sources. During the year the major construction phase of the new wing to house

the Electronic Calibration Center at the NBS Boulder Laboratories was

completed. This Center is expected to service Defense agencies and

other organizations in the calibration of master electronic standards

against the Bureau's reference standards. In the coming year, the Center

will be equipped and put into operation.

The Bureau's plan to convert some of its staff to basic Bureau activities and to reduce the proportion of the total program devoted to other agency

projects is being slowly activated. During the past year, considerable

study went into a reexamination of the relationship of Bureau responsibilities to other agency requests. Bureau staff members and technical

450$59—58 2 11
advisory committees reviewed the technical programs and made recom- mendations for strengthening the Bureau's basic research activities. New

projects accepted from other agencies now are given a careful screening

as to their appropriateness for Bureau research in terms of their relation to Bureau objectives and in terms of the availability of unique Bureau

facilities. During the past year, 12 technical committees were serving the Bureau's

scientific program (appendix, page 121). Composed of prominent scientists and industrial representatives, these committees, which supplement

the Bureau's Statutory Visiting Committee (appendix, page 121), are a valuable source of consultation and stimulation and serve to bring to the Bureau the views and needs of the Nation's scientists and technologists.

1.4. Publications

The results of the Bureau's technical program are in general embodied

in its reports and publications. Even when the work is developmental in nature—for example, the development of a specific device—a report will represent the culmination of the activity, and it is this report that will often prove of most value to Government, science, and industry. The

reports and publications of the Bureau are therefore suggestive of the scope of its activities. During the year these totaled over 1,250, exclusive

of calibration and test reports and of general administrative documents.

Some 650 classified and unclassified reports were issued to other Government agencies, particularly the Department of Defense, while 608 papers

and documents were published formally. Of the formal publications, some

450 consisted of scientific and technical papers, 81 of which were published

in the Journal of Research of the National Bureau of Standards (a monthly

periodical) and the remainder in the journals of various professional,

engineering, and trade organizations. In addition, 107 summary reports were published in the Bureau's monthly Technical News Bulletin. The

third monthly periodical of the Bureau, Basic Radio Propagation Predictions^ each month, for a 1 -month period 3 months in advance, presented

radio-propagation data needed in determining the best frequencies to use

in long-range radio communications.

Twenty-one papers were published in the Bureau's nonperiodical series of publications: 2 in the Applied Mathematics Series, 1 in the Handbook

series, 12 in the Circular series, 3 in the Building Materials and Structures Report series, and 3 in the Miscellaneous Publication series. A list of publications for the fiscal year is given in the appendix, section

5.6 (page 127). 2. Research and Development Program

The Bureau's technical program is carried out through organizational

units called Divisions. These are shown in appendix 5.1. The review of

the research and development programs is presented in this section under

headings corresponding generally to these organizational units. 12
2.1. Electricity and Electronics

The work in electricity is primarily the development, improvement, and

dissemination of the standards of measurement for electrical quantities,

and the study of the properties of materials that are important in all applications of electricity and magnetism. The object is to provide electrical standards that are, as far as possible, constant over long periods of

time, uniform throughout the Nation, and consistent with the fundamental

mechanical units. The work includes the dissemination of standards of

electrical resistance, inductance, capacitance, dielectric constant and loss, electromotive force, current, power, energy, magnetizing force, and

magnetic induction.

The electronic activities include the standardization of test methods for electronic components, the study of materials and processes for component fabrication, and the establishment of optimum designs of electronic equipment for maximum life and reliability. In areas where the Bureau

is uniquely qualified, electronic development programs are undertaken to meet the special requirements of NBS and of other Governmental agencies.

Fundamental Electrical Units. An absolute determination of the ampere

in terms of the mechanical units of length, mass, and time was completed,

using the same modified Rayleigh type of balance last used in 1940. The

results agree within 3 parts per million with those obtained last year using

a radically different instrument of the Pellat type. Such absolute meas- urements serve as an essential precaution to detect any serious drift in the

primary standards of resistance and electromotive force maintained in the Bureau's laboratories. As a further check, a repetition of absolute resist- ance measurements by the Wenner method was begun in January 1957. Electron Devices. As a part of the NBS Electron Devices Data Service,

a completed Tabulation of Data on Transistors has been made available as a mimeographed report. An NBS Circular giving a Tabulation of Data on

Receiving Tubes is planned. Both tabulations extend the scope of the

Service to give the electronics engineer a complete, active reference on

these devices. To study the rate of sublimation of materials used in electronic vacuum

tubes, a sensitive vacuum microbalance with an accuracy of about 1 mg

was developed for the Air Force Cambridge Research Center. It measures

the metal that is lost from a surface through diffusion and sublimation.

The balance will operate with a load of about 100 mg. It is expected to be

useful for measuring vapor pressures of metals and alloys in the solid state. High-Voltage Measurements. The most common cause of failure of

electrical equipment is the accidental application of excessive voltage for a very short interval of time. Such high voltages can occur as a conse- quence of a natural lightning discharge or an electrical surge caused by an abnormal switching operation. Methods for testing the ability of electrical equipment to withstand excess voltages ordinarily make use of

short-time transient voltages which closely duplicate actual operating

conditions.

13
FOSDIC II, developed for the Weather Bureau to scan microfilmed images

of punched cards containing weather data. The film scanning assembly

(left) selects card images containing desired information. The information

is then recorded on new cards for computer input. At right is an over-all view of FOSDIC II (p. 15). The problem of appraising the severity of the test involves accurately

measuring the crest value of the voltage surge, which may last only a few

ten-millionths of a second. As two steps in the development of methods

for such measurements, the Bureau derived an experimental "volt-time curve" for the standard spark gap between 12.5 cm spheres and improved

a high-speed cathode-ray oscillograph to determine the variation with time

of a voltage pulse lasting less than 0.01 n sec. A special pulse generator was designed to give voltages rising to 800 volts in less than 5 billionths of a second.

Dielectric Properties of Polymers. At the beginning of the year a new

Section was established to concentrate in a single group much of the

research on dielectric materials and associated standardization work at frequencies below 30 kc. This group has carried out dielectric studies on well-characterized specimens of polychlorotrifluoroethylene over wide

temperature and frequency ranges. The degree of crystallinity of this material can be greatly changed by varying its thermal history. Knowing

how the electrical properties depend on the degree of crystallinity makes it possible to produce both highly reproducible and easily understood results

for dielectric measurements.

Electronic Reliability. As the complexity of electronic equipment continues to grow, increasing attention must be given to problems of relia- bility and maintenance. Three programs currently under way have as

their ultimate goals the easing of these problems.

The first of these programs, supported jointly by the Bureau and the

Navy Bureau of Ships, is concerned with reliability predictions for

transistors. Although transistors show promise of long reliable service,

14
trouble-free operation of transistorized equipment cannot be achieved

until definite relationships are established between operating conditions

and transistor performance. The Bureau is establishing realistic testing

methods so that transistor parameters may be studied as the transistors are aged in various environments. Concurrently with this aging study,

short-term tests that may be used to predict long-term reliability are being sought.

The second program, for the Navy Bureau of Aeronautics, seeks to improve the reliability of electronic equipment by reducing the redundancy

of a wide variety of electronic circuits that provide substantially the same

function. The least -common-denominator circuits being developed in the NBS Preferred Circuits Program should be instrumental in reducing

the large variety of circuits currently in use. Fewer circuits will permit

employment of lower-level skills in the design and maintenance of

electronic equipment.

The third program, also supported by the Navy Bureau of Ships, is concerned with establishing standard expendable plug-in electronic assemblies. There is a steady growth in the number of applications where

the only practical maintenance procedure calls for plug-in replacements.

This program has a two-fold objective. First, criteria must be established that will dictate whether or not assemblies should be expendable in a particular application. Second, techniques must be developed for economically manufacturing reliable expendable packages.

Document-Sensing Devices. A second type of FOSDIC (Film Optical

Sensing Device for Input to Computers) has been completed for the

U. S. Weather Bureau. This instrumentation system selectively scans microfilmed images of punched cards containing weather information.

When a desired card image is found, the system reproduces the card and

continues searching for the next card of interest. The searching process

is conducted at a rate of over 4,000 microfilm images per minute. A space saving of about one hundredfold in the storage of weather data will be

effected by the microfilming of the present stock of approximately 300

million cards. Transistor Wireless Microphone. A wireless microphone developed for use in the Bureau's auditorium may prove to be of general utility else- where. The microphone, with its transistor induction transmitter, is assembled in a small box which the speaker wears. Since there are no

connecting wires, the speaker is permitted unrestricted movement in the

vicinity of the lecture platform.

A loop antenna, surrounding the platform floor, delivers the induced

signal to a vacuum-tube receiver that may be located remotely. The

receiver supplies the signal to the public-address amplifier and

loudspeaker.

Free-Floating Automatic Weather Buoy. At the request of the Department of the Navy, the Bureau modified its previously developed free- floating weather buoy for application as a hurricane-tracking device.

15
Free-floating weather buoy modified for use as a hurricane- tracking device. The buoy transmits information on weather conditions every 6 hours (p. 15). Prototype models were developed which transmit by radio over an

800-mile range every 6 hours the wind direction, wind speed, barometric

pressure, air temperature, water temperature, and an identification signal. It can be left unattended as long as 3 months. The prototype units

have been tested with satisfactory results in the Caribbean, Gulf of

Mexico, and the Arctic. Reference Electrode for Fused Salts. A bismuth oxychloride electrode or half-cell has been found satisfactory as a reference electrode in the

study of fused salts. It consists of liquid bismuth covered with a layer

of zinc oxide -bismuth oxychloride and a second layer of fused zinc chloride.

Its potential is 0.640 volt and its temperature coefficient is 1X10-4 volt per degree.

2.2. Optics and Metrology

The Bureau's work in optics and metrology deals with problems of

measurement, instrumentation, and standardization in photometry,

colorimetry, interferometry, optical instruments, photographic technology,

and those phases of metrology that are most dependent upon optical

methods. Typical activities include investigating the possible application

of an atomic-beam lamp as a radiation source to be used in defining the

meter, developing apparatus to produce a black body at the temperature

of molten platinum, providing color standards for testing color television tubes, and developing methods for the more precise calibration of end

gages to meet the demands of industry.

Standards of Illumination. The National Bureau of Standards, with

six other national standardizing laboratories, participated in an intercom

-

parison of two types of standards of candle power and two types of standards of total light output conducted by the International Bureau of

Weights and Measures in Sevres, France. The results indicate that the

16
units maintained by the United States standards are within a few tenths

of one percent of the averages of those of the other participating laboratories, but they indicate also the need for further cooperation among the

various national laboratories in order to reduce the spread in the values

of the units. Toward this end, the National Bureau of Standards is setting up the primary standard for recalibration of its basic candlepower standards, and has programed recalibrations of the other types of

standards of light in terms of these basic standards.

Light and Color Standards. Of importance to industries whose products are chosen largely because of their color is the normal color response

of the average human eye. This applies to textiles, painted metal for automobiles, enamels, paints, plastics for refrigerators, as well as nu- merous other products. For several years the Bureau has collaborated

with the International Commission on Illumination to determine the

color responses of the average human eye under practical conditions.

Work is nearing completion on a statistically determined "standard

observer" for product inspection.

At the request of the Joint Electron Tube Engineering Council, the

Bureau has developed light standards of red, green, and blue to test cathode -ray tubes used in color television. The standards consist of an

incandescent lamp and a diffusing plate with calibrated niters. Color standards consisting of painted panels have been devised in co- operation with the American Dental Trade Association. These standards have been distributed to suppliers of dentists' office equipment so that varied items may now be procured from different sources with

assurance that colors will match.

Specification for Screw Threads. NBS Handbook H28, Screw-Thread

Standards for Federal Services, establishes screw-thread standards for Government departments. It is also widely used throughout industry; more

than 80,000 copies of the 1944 edition have been distributed. The 1957

edition, to be issued in 3 volumes, is now in preparation. Part I, covering threads for bolts, screws, and nuts (namely Unified, American, American National, and National Miniature threads), has been completed and

will soon be published. Part II, now in draft form, includes standards

for American Standard pipe threads, Dryseal pipe threads, gas cylinder

value outlet and inlet threads, hose-coupling and fire-hose coupling

threads, and welding and cutting torch hose connections. A draft of part III is expected to be completed within a year. It will include acme,

stub-acme, buttress, and miscellaneous standard threads. High-Precision Gage Blocks. Research was continued on instrumentation for more precise calibration of the gage blocks which industry uses to control the tolerances of mass-produced machine parts. The Bureau now certifies master gage blocks to an accuracy of one part in a million. However, the use of continually smaller tolerances in such fields as guided

missiles and jet engines has caused manufacturers to request that the Bureau develop procedures for calibrating their master gage blocks to one part in 10 million. 17
To achieve greater uniformity in measurement, the Bureau has initiated a round-robin test of the accuracy with which long lengths can be measured

by different industrial laboratories. A test-casting (foreground) is shipped

to representative manufacturers for measurement. Their results are checked

against those obtained at the Bureau by comparison with a standard built up of end gages (shown in the background with a length-measuring machine)

(p. 18). As a part of this work, two new interferometers were developed for testing the planeness and parallelism of the measuring surfaces of gage

blocks. In these interferometers the length of the gage is not a part of

the optical path difference; consequently, only mechanical interference

within the interferometer determines the length of the gage that can be

tested. One interferometer tests gages up to 20 inches in length, but it can be readily adapted to longer gages by extending the bed of the in- strument. The other interferometer tests the parallelism of gage blocks not longer than 4 inches.

The Bureau is engaged in a round-robin series of tests with approximately 20 American manufacturers to determine the accuracy with which

relatively long lengths (30 to 80 in.) are measured by different representative manufacturers. Three castings have been made in a form de- signed to give dimensional stability, and after having been measured at the Bureau they are being shipped from manufacturer to manufacturer

for measurement. Periodically, the castings are returned to the Bureau

for check measurements.

Structure of Glasses. A new concept called a vitron has been proposed

for study of the glassy state. The vitron is postulated as a submicroscopic stressed cluster of definitely arranged but slightly distorted ele- mental groups or cages (such as pentagonal dodecahedra) which, in turn,

are composed of smaller and more nearly regular stable structural units

(such as silicon-oxygen tetrahedra, in the case of silica glass). As a sys- tem, these clusters tend to form at high melting temperatures and have

18
The vitron, a new concept developed by the Bureau for studying the structure

of glass. The single-element vitron shown is constructed of 20 tetrahedra

and represents 20 silicon atoms (at the tetrahedron centers) and 30 oxygen

atoms (at the connecting corners) (p. 18). some approximate noncrystal line symmetry (such as fivefold); thus, they

are capable of limited but not extensive continuous growth. Such a

cluster is definitely different from a crystallite, which can increase in size without limit. The vitron concept has been applied to revise and reconcile existing

theories of the structure of silicate glasses. The range of approximate

order appears more extensive than formerly recognized, and the randomness is relegated to the connective material that unites the clusters. According to this view, silica glass is a continuous network within which

there are wide, approximately periodic modulations in the degree of

regularity of the structural arrangement, and in existing stresses and

force constants. The proposed model for silica glass is consistent with

known data on density, differential diffusion of gases, interatomic dis- tances, tensile strength, unusual thermal and pressure effects on volume,

and internal friction at low temperatures. Evidence to support the theory

is given by analyses of property-composition curves of solubility, chemical

attack, volatilization, specific volume, electrical resistance, and viscosity

of binary alkali silicate glasses.

19
Aircraft carrier employing new markings designed by the National Bureau of Standards in cooperation with and for the Navy Bureau of Aeronautics to

give improved perspective and guidance to pilots when landing. (United

Press Photo) (p. 20). Measurements of Flashing Lights. As long-range visibility is becoming

increasingly important to aviation, methods for measuring the effective intensity of flashing lights have been developed both for aircraft navigation lights and for airport approach lights. The Civil Aeronautics

Administration now specifies that effective intensity of flashing approach

lights must be satisfactorily measured by these new methods before installation. This work was sponsored by the Navy Bureau of Aeronautics

and the Wright Air Development Center. Airplane Instrument Panel Filters. To enable a pilot to maintain his "dark" adaptation, light from the instrument panel must be red and must

contain a minimum of radiant energy of shorter wavelengths. In work

sponsored by the Navy Bureau of Aeronautics, the National Bureau of

Standards designed a special limit filter and devised a test procedure for determining readily whether airplane instrument panel lighting meets

stringent dark-adaptation requirements. During the year, 60 of these

filters were supplied to industry and 8 to Government agencies.

Visual Landing Aidsfor Aircraft. Improved patterns have been devised

for marking and lighting landing strips, both on the ground and on aircraft

carriers. The markings for a carrier deck were developed in cooperation

with the Navy Bureau of Aeronautics. The new patterns give the pilot a more realistic perspective of the landing area, thus enabling him to bring in his plane with greater ease. 20
2.3. Heat

To provide a basis for precise measurements of heat, the Bureau maintains temperature scales covering most of the range of accessible temperatures, and conducts research to extend and refine these scales. In addition, the Bureau maintains the standards for thermal measurements, such

as thermal diffusivity, heat capacity, and heat of combustion, as well as standards for viscosity and for the octane and cetane number of gasoline

and diesel fuels. A broad program of supporting research and development in related

fields of science is also conducted. This includes interpreting physical and

chemical processes occurring at very low and very high temperatures,

investigating the structure and properties of the molecules that play sig- nificant roles in such processes, and studying the behavior of gases at extremely high temperatures.

With the establishment of a new Rheology Section, the fundamental

flow characteristics of solids, liquids, and gases are receiving careful and

critical attention. Still other programs evaluate the performance of

various fuels and investigate the mechanism of combustion processes. Temperature Standards. The successful use of high temperatures in research and manufacturing depends on the accuracy and precision with

which these temperatures can be measured. Above 1,063° C, the freezing

point of gold, the basic instrument for measurement is the disappearingfilament optical pyrometer. Instruments of this type are calibrated at the National Bureau of Standards by comparison with the Bureau's standard pyrometer. This instrument, in turn, is calibrated by observing

a black body maintained at the freezing point of gold, which is one of the

primary fixed points on the International Temperature Scale. To insure that all laboratories throughout the world are operating on

the same temperature scale, occasional international intercomparisons of standard instruments are made. This is accomplished in optical pyrometry through the exchange of carefully calibrated tungsten strip lamps

which serve as temperature transfer instruments.

During the past year, several strip lamps were exchanged with the

National Research Council in Ottawa, Canada. Two of these obtained

from Canada had been calibrated also at the National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, England. The intercomparison with England and

Canada, consisting of some 90 calibration points between 800° C and

2,300° C, showed a standard deviation of only 1.2 deg C. This is 3 to 6

times less than the uncertainties stated in the Bureau's certified calibra- tions of strip lamps and pyrometers.

An apparent discrepancy between the optical pyrometer temperature

scales maintained by the Bureau and those maintained by the Phvsikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt in Braunschweig, Germany has been

resolved. Thus, satisfactory agreement now exists between the pyrometer

temperature scales of Germany, England, Canada, and the United States.

21
"'A

Low-temperature experiments at the Bureau demonstrated that the quantum

mechanical law of conservation of parity does not hold in the beta decay of

cobalt-60 nuclei. Above: Idealized drawing of the polarized nuclei in a magnetic field shows that the emission of electrons in beta decay favors one

direction along the axis of particle spin. Since neither right- nor left-handed

rotation should be favored by a greater intensity of emission if parity is conserved, this constitutes a reversal of the law of parity. Lower left: Apparatus used in the parity studies. An outer Dewar flask is being placed on

a glass vacuum chamber containing a sample of radioactive cobalt-60. The

large magnet in the background cools the sample almost to absolute zero by adiabatic demagnetization. The magnetic field of a solenoid (lower right)

is then used to polarize the cobalt nuclei (p. 25).

22
In addition to maintaining the present temperature scale, the Bureau is responsible for improving the accuracy of this scale. A photoelectric

pyrometer is being developed for this purpose. Using a photocell instead

of the eye as a detector, it will eliminate personal error in making a bright- ness match. With this instrument, the wavelength for which a brightness

match is made can be determined with greater accuracy than before,

resulting in more accurate temperature determinations. Preliminary

measurements show that the sensitivity is sufficient to measure temperatures at 2,000° C with a precision of 0.1 deg C. This accuracy is higher

than that of the conventional optical pyrometer by a factor of 10. High-Temperature Research. A number of theoretical investigations

into the nature of high-temperature processes have been carried out under

the sponsorship of the U. S. Atomic Energy Commission. Considerable

progress has been made in the study of the distribution and the transfer of energy in high-temperature gases. The applicability of the equilibrium

theories of chemical kinetics to fast reactions occurring in gases at high

temperatures has been examined. The relaxation to equilibrium produced

by collisions and by emission of radiation has been treated in detail for several types of systems. Chemical equilibrium theories were used also to analyze experimental data on the approach to vibrational equilibrium,

obtained from chemical reactions and from shock tube measurements.

For certain types of reactions the conventional equilibrium theories of

chemical kinetics were found to lead to erroneous calculations of the

reaction rates. Thermodynamics. The majority of organic molecules found in nature

are capable of hindered internal rotation. The effects of such rotation are important in determining the thermodynamic and structural properties of these molecules. Until the recent advent of microwave spectroscopy, the

heights of the potential barriers to internal rotation had to be determined

indirectly and with an uncertainty of at least 10 percent from a combination of vibrational and calorimetric data. Moreover, the shape of the

potential barrier had to be assumed, and the details of the interactions of hindered groups neglected. Microwave spectroscopy has now made it possible in some cases to determine barrier heights with an accuracy as great as 0.5 percent, to study the details of barrier shapes, and to obtain

the first direct information about the interactions of hindered groups. The joint development of a highly sensitive microwave spectrograph

and convenient methods of theoretical analysis have permitted several detailed investigations of internal rotation. Very precise analyses of

propylene and some of its derivatives have been made. Furthermore, the

first detailed analysis of internal rotation in the microwave spectrum of a molecule having several hindered groups has been carried out. The results have been applied to several other molecular species. In addition to providing fundamental molecular data formerly considered unattainable,

these new approaches may provide the basis for a new and deeper understanding of the nature and origin of potential barriers in molecules.

23
New apparatus which permits the accurate measurement of heat capacity

standards at high temperatures (p. 21).

In order to meet the pressing technologic and scientific demands for thermodynamic data, the properties of air and its constituents have been

studied intensely in the past year. Such studies, under the partial sponsorship of the Air Force, were concerned mainly with observations made at high temperature. The equilibrium thermodynamic properties and the

transport properties (viscosity, thermal conductivity, diffusion, and

Prandtl number) of air at low pressure were determined. Under the

sponsorship of the Atomic Energy Commission, the ideal-gas thermal

functions for the atoms and ions of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen,

and argon were established.

Significant progress has been made in methods of computing the thermodynamic properties of gases at low pressure and high temperature. The

formulation of methods to represent these properties at high pressure and

high temperature simultaneously is under active study. Considerable

progress has also been made in the computation of the transport properties

of gases at high temperatures.

Automatic equipment was applied in the control of temperatures in the low-temperature adiabatic calorimeter (range: 10° to 400° K) and

in the high-temperature adiabatic calorimeter (range: room temperature

to 600° C). The precision and accuracy of measurements with this type

of calorimeter depend upon the quality of adiabatic temperature control. A calorimeter that ordinarily requires two operators under manual control is now handled by one operator with the automatic temperature

control. The automatic equipment has been found to be more reliable 24
and consistent over extended intervals of time and to react more rapidly

than manually-operated instruments.

Low-Temperature Physics. In December 1956 a nuclear orientation

experiment in the Bureau's low temperature laboratory first demonstrated that the quantum mechanical law of parity conservation does not hold in beta decay. Carried out in collaboration with Professor C.

S. Wu of Columbia University, this experiment disproved a widely ac- cepted fundamental concept of nuclear physics, thus clearing the way

for a reconsideration of current theories. In the summer of 1956, T. D. Lee of Columbia University and C. N.

Yang of the Institute for Advanced Study had proposed a number of

experiments that might determine whether or not parity is always conserved.2 One of these experiments involved measuring the directional

intensity of beta radiation from oriented cobalt-60 nuclei. If parity is conserved in such an interaction, then the intensity of the beta emission

should be the same in either direction along the axis of spin. At the sug- gestion of Professor Wu, arrangements were made to carry out this experiment at the Bureau.

Polarization of the nuclei was achieved by cooling a sample of cobalt- 60 to within 0.01 deg (Celsius) of absolute zero, and subjecting it to a magnetic field. When a magnetic field is applied at this temperature,

most of the cobalt-60 nuclei are alined so that their spin axes are parallel to the field. It was found that the emission of beta particles is greater in the direc- tion opposite to that of the nuclear spin. Thus, a spinning cobalt-60

nucleus has a beta emission distribution that is not the same as that

of its mirror image. This result unequivocally demonstrated that parity

is not conserved in the emission of beta particles by cobalt-60. Within a very short time, the results obtained at the Bureau were

confirmed by other investigators, and a great deal of activity was stimulated in the field of subatomic particles. Although it is too early to predict in detail the consequences of this discovery, it is clear that much

detailed information about fundamental particles and their interactions

will be obtained. Such information may well modify many of the present

theories of fundamental particles and their interactions. Combustion. Investigations of the various modes of oxidation of

propane, the simplest hydrocarbon which exhibits combustion reactions

typical of higher hydrocarbons used as fuels, have recently been carried out under the sponsorship of the Air Research and Development Command. Isotopic tracer studies of the slow, or cool flame, oxidation of

propane-2-C 13 have yielded information on the origin of many of the

products. Findings generally confirm current theories of the cool flame

mechanism.

Application of similar methods to the investigation of the hot flame,

however, have revealed unexpected features of this reaction. For ex2 Drs. Lee and Yang received the 1957 Nobel Prize in Physics for their theoretical work in disproving

parity conservation. 25
ample, the lower hydrocarbon products of rich explosion flames, such as ethylene and acetylene, do not arise directly from a two-carbon fragment

of the carbon chain of the fuel, but appear to be synthesized in the flame

from simpler radicals or molecules by reactions as yet unidentified.

Similar reactions take place in the thermal decomposition of propane

at temperatures greater than 1,200° K. Thus there is an opportunity

to study them in a high temperature system simpler than a flame. The use of shock-wave heating techniques is being investigated for possible application to the study of flame initiation, thermal decomposition, and flame reactions of mixtures outside ordinary inflammability

limits.

2.4. Atomic and Radiation Physics

The reliance of modern industrial technology and military defense upon

advances in atomic and nuclear physics is producing a constant demand for additional and improved standards, for new methods of measurement, and

for more extensive and precise data. The Bureau's program in atomic

and radiation physics is designed to meet the most urgent of these needs

through basic and applied research on particles such as atoms, nuclei,

neutrons, and electrons; properties of radiation, particularly gamma and

X-rays and ultraviolet and infrared light; and the interactions between

radiation and particles. Emphasis is on phenomena involved in inter- actions between radiations, or between free elementary particles, and

matter in bulk (solids, liquids, or gases). Work is also going forward in the closely related area of solid state physics, where the results are contributing to better understanding of crystalline substances and give

promise of information useful in the field of electronics. The results of such studies, both at the Bureau and elsewhere, are evaluated and compiled for publication in handbooks and circulars, which

make the data readily available in the most useful forms for engineers,

scientists, the medical profession, and others. The understanding of

basic processes revealed by these studies is also of great value to the

Bureau in devising suitable standards of measurement and in providing

essential calibration services for new instruments and materials.

Radiation Protection. The Bureau has long played an active role in research on radiation protection problems. In this work it has collab- orated closely with the International Commissions on Radiological Units

and Measurements and on Radiological Protection (ICRU and ICRP,

respectively). This it has done both in research projects carried out in

its own laboratories and through the work of staff members serving on

the Commissions and their subcommittees. Problems of radiation units

and measurement have received strong emphasis along with problems of

radiation protection, and the work of the ICRU has continued to expand

under its Secretariat at the National Bureau of Standards.

As a result of a request to the International Commissions from the

United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation,

26
Spectroscopic research yielded detailed information about electronic configurations in atoms. Studies of the actinium spectra (insert), for example,

revealed that the element introduces a series similar to the rare earths (p. 27). an intensive study was undertaken to examine the feasibility of a national

or international system for maintaining records of the dose received by

individuals in the course of medical use of ionizing radiations. At joint

meetings, held at New York in November 1956 and at Geneva in April

1957, Bureau staff members participated in a study of the problems of

the effect of medical exposure on the radiation tolerance of the population.

A number of systems for the collection and recording of information on

radiation dose were examined, including programs that might have been

undertaken by various government agencies in this country. It was

concluded that establishment of dose records of the general public is not

feasible at the present time because of the inability to secure adequate

input data. The results of last year's deliberations have appeared as NBS Handbook 62, which is the 1957 report of the ICRU.

Spectroscopic Research. After 5 years of intensive effort, the third

volume of Atomic Energy Levels, NBS Circular 467, was completed.

Derived from 124 spectra, it contains all available information on energy

levels, quantum numbers, magnetic splitting factors, and electron configurations of 32 chemical elements (42 Mo to 57 La, and 72 Hf to 89 Ac).

Most of the new information presented on technetium, ruthenium, iodine,

hafnium, tantalum, rhenium, and actinium resulted from research at the Bureau. Also, the results for three successive spectra of actinium have

been published. They show that actinium introduces, in the 7th period,

450859—58 3 27
another group of 14 rare earths in which f-type electrons will be more or

less firmly incorporated into the outer structure of the heavier elements

thorium, protactinium, uranium, neptunium, plutonium, etc. High-Altitude Observatory. A unique high-altitude observatory was

established on the slope of the Hawaiian volcano, Mauna Loa, for joint use by NBS and the U. S. Weather Bureau. Located at a height of 11,134

feet in the tropics, where the upper atmosphere is very clear and usually

of low moisture content, the new observatory offers special advantages

for many types of astronomical and upper-air studies. It will make

possible continuous observation of atmospheric phenomena with manned

instruments in place of the unmanned meteorological balloons that have

been used for the most part in high-altitude work.

One study, supported by the National Geographic Society, was completed on the moisture and oxygen content of the planet Mars. The data were obtained by comparison of spectroscopic observations of sunlight

reflected from Mars and the Moon to the Earth. Another investigation,

still in progress, includes observation and analysis of the spectral distribution of energy in the radiation from the sun. Supported by the Air

Research and Development Command, this work will provide information on the effect of solar energy in connection with high -altitude equipment,

satellites, and space flights.

Solid State Physics. One of the principal concerns of the recently

developed field of solid state physics is with the properties of semiconducting materials, the best known application of which is the transistor. In research supported partly by the Department of Defense,

work continued on the physical properties of semiconducting inter- metallic compounds, with emphasis on indium antimonide (InSb). Further fight was thrown on its energy-band structure and a basis was laid for possible practical applications.

The resistance of n-ty pe InSb as a function of magnetic field strength

at helium temperatures has shown an oscillatory behavior. The magnetoresistive effect in this material, even at magnetic fields of a few

thousand gauss, appeared considerably larger than in any other solid and

could be enhanced by special geometries of the specimens. This high

magnetoresistance as well as the Hall effect can be utilized in construct- ing such devices as magnetometers, gyrators, and low-frequency

amplifiers.

A study was made of InSb, which had been deliberately contaminated

with copper, at wavelengths beyond the absorption edge up to 35 microns.

Extrinsic absorption peaks and photoconductivity were observed in this range of the spectrum. Another property investigated during the year

is the change of resistance under stress. Resistance measurements on

both n- and p-type InSb gave important information on the energy band

structure of this compound.

Since its discovery 11 years ago, nuclear magnetic resonance has been

shown to be one of the most fruitful techniques for the study of solids

28
High-altitude observatory established on the slope of the Hawaiian volcano,

Mauna Loa, at a height of 11,134 feet. This unique observatory will be

used jointly by NBS, the Weather Bureau, and others for astronomical

and upper-air studies (p. 28). This type of experiment has now been initiated, and both continuous wave and pulse methods are available. The technique will be applied to the investigation of imperfections in semiconducting crystals. Electron Physics Tables. Designed to facilitate the computations of

scientists and engineers engaged in research with electron beams, design

work, or applications, a set of Electron Physics Tables were completed

during the past year and published as NBS Circular 571. They replace

the out-of-print, partially obsolete, and less extensive tables issued in 1941. Calculated with the help of the Bureau's automatic computer,

SEAC, 8 quantities are tabulated with over 3,000 entries for each. Values are given with 8 -figure accuracy and cover a range of electron energies from 0.206 to 3.353 X1012 electron volts. The electron quantities tabulated are the potential difference, in absolute volts, required to

accelerate an electron from rest to a specific kinetic energy; the effective

relativistic potential difference; the product of magnetic field times the

radius of curvature of the electron path in the field; the de Broglie wavelength; the momentum in units of m c; the kinetic energy in units of the

rest energy; the total energy in units of rest energy; and the ratio of the

electron velocity to the velocity of light.

Scattering of Low-energy Electrons. In a continuing program jointly

supported by the Office of Naval Research, the Atomic Energy Commission, and the Bureau, research was directed toward a better understanding

of the processes involved in low-energy electron scattering. An instru- ment was completed that can extend the measurements to greater precision and range of angles than previously possible. AVilh this instrument, new information concerning the variation of energy loss with angle and

the effect of crystalline orientation has been obtained. The studies have

also been extended, for the first time using modern instruments, to the

losses occurring in vapors. 29
Neutron Penetration in Water. The first of a series of experiments,

supported by the U. S. Atomic Energy Commission, on the penetration

of neutrons in water has been completed. These experiments use simple

geometries and are designed to check theoretical calculations. The cal- culations may then be used in the design of nuclear reactors and shield- ing for protection of personnel near neutron sources such as particle

accelerators, nuclear reactors, and radioactive neutron sources. To

obtain nearly monoenergetic neutrons for these experiments, nuclear

reactions made by bombarding a target with a deuteron beam from a Van de Graaff accelerator are used. The target is located in the middle

of a large tank of water and detectors may be moved about throughout

most of the tank.

In the first experiment, 14.1 million-volt neutrons were used. The

spatial distributions of fast neutrons, indium-resonance neutrons, and

thermal neutrons were measured. The results of this experiment are in

agreement with theoretical calculations. The "age", or % of the mean

square of the crow-flight distance that the source -neutrons travel while

being slowed down to 1.44-volt energy, was found to be 150 ±6 square

centimeters.

A second experiment on the "age" of neutrons is now in progress using neutrons that range in energy from about 2 to 3.5 million volts. This

measurement is of particular interest because the energy of these neutrons

is near the average energy of fission neutrons. Thus the information is important for nuclear reactor calculations. Penetration of Gamma Radiation. Extensive calculations of gammaray and electron penetration were made in work supported by the Atomic

Energy Commission, the Office of Naval Research, and the Federal Civil

Defense Agency. The results will ultimately be of value in design of

bomb shelters and reactor shielding, theory of radiation monitoring

instruments, and radiation biological damage studies. Extensive tabulations have been made of basic input data, i. e., the

information required for interpreting and predicting radiation effects. Two important compilations of this type were published—one on gammaray attenuation coefficients, the other on electron stopping powers and

ranges. Ionization Chamber for Calibrations. The gold-leaf electroscope has

been used for many years as the means of calibrating small radium and

cobalt-60 sources by intercomparing the gamma rays of the unknown

source with those from radium standards. In making a calibration, several measurements of the transit time of the gold leaf with the unknown

and the standard are required. To reduce measurement time as well as radiation exposure of personnel, a reentrant-type ionization chamber was

designed in which the sources are introduced into the chamber along its axis. The volume of the chamber was chosen so that direct measure- ments of ionization current could be made with a considerable saving

in time. A chamber was constructed on the basis of a preliminary study

30
Left: Some examples of semiconducting intermetallic specimens studied

at the Bureau include indium-antimony samples (top and center), and

magnesium-tin (bottom). Research on intermetallic compounds has not

only led to improved transistors and photodetectors but has also suggested

the use of semiconductors in power sources and refrigerating units (p. 28). Right: To investigate the behavior of gamma rays near the boundary between

two media, a scintillation detector is inserted into a pipe that passes through

a steel-wool mass containing radioactive cobalt (p. 30). of the various parameters, and a detailed study of the characteristics of

the chamber is being carried out. Attention is now being given to means

of compensating for differences in the length and wall material of the

unknown and standard sources, improvements in electrode and air vol- ume geometry, and to possible extension of the system to semi-automatic

operation.

Ionization Measurements. The output of most X- and gamma-ray sources with energies of 3 million volts or less is measured in roentgens.

For X-rays of up to 500 kilovolts, the primary standard is the free -air ionization chamber. For million-volt rays, however, such a chamber

must be made so large that only a few laboratories have considered its construction. Instead, a cavity-type ionization chamber is used. Its sensitivity is determined either by its response to a known quantity of

radioactive material or from certain factors whose magnitude is some- what in question. In order to provide information for such calibrations,

the Bureau has determined the roentgen-per -hour radiation at 1 meter

for 1 milligram of radium. In addition, the output of a small source of

cobalt-60 and of cesium-137 has been measured with a large pressurized

free -air chamber and with a cavity chamber. The final results agreed

with each other to about 1 percent. Thus, for the first time, there is an overlap in the two methods of measurement. The cavity chamber

experiment also indicated which of the currently published factors is correct. Low-Energy X-Rays. Extensive use of X-rays has underlined the need

for more quantitative information about the process of X-ray production.

Experimental investigations are therefore being carried on with the support of the Atomic Energy Commission to measure important features 31
of X-rays produced in thin targets with monoenergetic electron beams

of energies between 50 and 1,000 kilovolts. Results obtained thus far are helping to establish a consistent quantitative picture of the X-ray

production process. Data have been obtained for the X-ray angular and energy distribu- tions as a function of electron energy and target material. Also, meas- urements have been made of the total energy radiated by monoenergetic

electrons in passing through a thin target. A specially designed polar- imeter has been constructed and used in studies of the polarization

properties of the X-rays produced in thin targets. The experimental

results appear to show that improvements are required in free available

theoretical approximations which are currently in use. High-Energy Accelerator Research. Significant progress was made during the last year on three projects aimed toward a better understanding

of the basic interaction of high -energy X-rays with matter. In the first of these projects, supported by the Air Research and Development Command, it was found possible to use the scattering of 15.12 million-volt

X-rays to study in detail the shape of the X-ray spectrum from a highenergy electron accelerator. Measurements were made to within 30 kilo- volts of the high-energy tip of the spectrum. Knowledge of the shape

of this spectrum will be of considerable use in interpreting data on nuclear

energy levels obtained with betatrons and synchrotrons.

The other two projects, supported by the Atomic Energy Commission,

have provided information about the structure of the nucleus. In the

first, it was shown that the study of the photoproduction of 7r° mesons

from carbon leads to information regarding the distribution of nuclear

matter within the carbon nucleus. In the remaining study it was shown

that a correlation exists between the photoneutron yield from a given

nucleus and the deformation of the nuclear surface. This has opened

up an entirely new approach to the study of intrinsic nuclear quadrupole

moments.

Photographic Films for X-ray Measurements. Photographic film for the measurement of radiation has been used extensively in atomic weapons tests, so that previous studies were carried out at high-radiation

intensities in the reversal region of the characteristic curve. More comprehensive investigations of the photographic reversal effects have now

been undertaken; and a study of reversal as a function of photon energy

as well as of exposure rate is in progress. A calculation of the energy delivered to the emulsion showed that

within the energy range and exposure rates so far investigated, the

reversal effect depends upon the rate of energy absorption by the emulsion, rather than on photon energy or on exposure rate. Particularly

revealing were the results of a study using mixed exposures, i. e., two

successive exposures of different rates of energy absorption achieved

either by employing different photon energies or different exposure rates. So far, no difference in the microscopic appearance of the developed grains

32
could be demonstrated for exposures involving different rates of energy

absorption, although microscopic studies of grains in the ascending and

descending (reversal) branches of the characteristic curves obtained

under fixed conditions tend to show a difference in the number of devel- oped grains and grain size in the two branches. The work on mixed

exposures was extended to include successive exposures to visible light

and X-rays and to visible light and infrared light. An evaluation of the

results of these experiments is now being carried out.

2.5. Chemistry

The Bureau carries on a wide range of fundamental and applied research

in physical, analytical, organic, and inorganic chemistry. Special laboratories are devoted to organic protective coatings, detergents and adsorbents, carbohydrates, electrodeposition, gas chemistry, acid-base indicators

and joH standards, pure substances, spectrochemistry, and thermochemistry. Representative activities during the year included investi- gations of analytical procedures, development of methods for separating

and purifying substances, electrophoresis studies, research on light

scattering by colloidal particles, growth of crystals, synthesis of carbohydrates labeled with radioactive carbon, applications of absorption and

emission spectrometry, chromatography studies, collection and critical tabulation of scientific data, and the preparation and certification of

standard samples.

Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry. At the request of the Diamond

Ordnance Fuze Laboratories, an entirely new analytical procedure was

developed for the separation of titanium, iron, zirconium, and aluminum

from one another. This method, combined with a previous process which

is effective in the separation of silicon, barium, strontium, calcium, and

magnesium, provides a means for determining and controlling the composition of barium titanate ceramic dielectrics vital to the country's

national defense. Several halides of titanium were prepared in a state of high purity for determination of their fundamental physical properties

in a program sponsored by the Office of Naval Research. Terbium oxide

in which no other rare -earth element could be detected spectrochemically was prepared for use in determining the spectral structure of terbium, one of the rare -earth elements that have been separated from one another

by ion exchange.

Several methods were devised for the separation and determination of minute quantities of a substance. One such procedure was for detecting

small amounts of arsenic, phosphorus, and silicon in ammonium molybdate, while another was for finding trace quantities of iodide polarographically. Measurements designed to yield the second dissociation constant

of calcium hydroxide were also completed.

The methods of assaying purity of nearly pure compounds were given

considerable emphasis and advances were made in methods of purification.

The more striking advances dealt with processes of crystallization,

33
Barium titanate is used extensively in electronic devices because of its desirable dielectric and piezoelectric properties. To aid in relating these

properties to composition, a method was developed for preparing the material in very high purity (p. 33). mechanisms by which impurities are retained in growing crystals, and

the more perfect separation of crystalline matter from melt or motherliquor. The growth of crystals from solution seems always to be accompanied by the retention of some impurities. Aqueous solutions of ammonium phosphate contaminated with chromium ion have yielded

valuable information regarding the causes of this retention. It was

observed, for example, that when the crystals grow perpendicular to one group of faces the chromium is almost totally excluded from the crystals,

whereas growth upon another group of faces permits almost half of the

contamination to be retained by the crystal. Obviously, if the crystals can be grown so that growth is restricted in the direction where retention

occurs, great improvement in total purity is possible.

Spectrometric analysis of high-purity gases was investigated to devise

a rapid, accurate method for the determination of impurities. A process was developed in which a glow discharge in the glowing gas is excited by

34
a high-frequency electric field. The light is observed with an automatic

scanning photoelectric spectrometer. A minimal effect of contamination

and maximum control of pressure and flow rate of the gas are provided

by the gas handling system. With this technique, the impurities, nitrogen,

water vapor, and hydrogen can be measured in concentrations as low as

1 part per million and the time required is only 6 seconds per element.

Because of its high speed, the procedure is particularly well adapted for monitoring the composition of a continuously flowing gas. In connection with the assay of NBS acidimetric standard benzoic acid

and acid potassium phthalate, a highly accurate method was developed

or the coulometric titration of acids and bases. This technique involved

measurement of the time required for accurately measured constant

current to neutralize an acid or base. A precision of 1 part in 10,000 can be obtained.

Physical and Electrochemistry. The electrodeposition of metals from

organic solutions has been a relatively unexplored field although its possibilities appear very promising. In this area, specific accomplishments of potential value for the Atomic Energy Commission and the

Department of Defense were the deposition of beryllium, magnesium,

titanium-aluminum alloys, zirconium-aluminum alloys, and the improvement of the aluminum plating process developed in 1952. To settle the question of the acidity or alkalinity of stoichiometrically

neutral solutions of reagent chemicals, the pH values were determined

for 38 reagent chemicals, each in 5 -percent concentration.

A gage to measure the thickness of chromium plating in machine-gun

bores was developed and constructed for the Army's Springfield Armory.

In this gage, the basic circuit of the "Dermitron", which was devised at the Bureau in 1953, was used to meet the requirements of the Army.

In connection with the saline water project of the Department of the

Interior, for the production of fresh water from salt water, permselective

membranes were successfully prepared by the simultaneous cross linking

and quaternization of polyvinyl pyridine with alpha, omega-dichloro

hydrocarbons. This technique expands the possibilities of controlling

the structure of the membranes and is of importance in theoretical

studies of their behavior.

A study of the dielectric properties of compressed gases was continued,

with major emphasis on symmetric top and near symmetric top molecules. In these molecules, a part of the dipolar loss is of the nonresonant (Deb ye)

type. Study of the relaxation times governing this Debye-type loss, at pressures wheie only bimolecular collisions are important, can provide

much information regarding molecular interactions. During the past

year, considerable progress has been made in obtaining new data and in

correlating the relaxation times with pertinent molecular parameters,

such as dipole moment and moments of inertia. These measurements

also provide a new, accurate, and very sensitive method of determining

electric dipole moments. For example, perchloryl fluoride (CI03 F) was

35
Advances were made in purification by crystal growth. A single crystal of ammonium phosphate shows that mother liquor (dark line) is entrapped on

the faces of the seed crystal. The photomicrograph insert shows that this liquid, which retains impurities, is contained in crystallike pockets. Restrict- ing the direction of growth can improve the total purity (p. 33).

found to have a dipole moment of only 0.023 ±0.003xl0~18 esu. This

value is about one -fourth that of earbon monoxide, w hich had the smallest

value reported until now . The new7 method thus extends the range of

dipole moment measurements beyond the limits of the more conventional

methods such as the microwave Stark effect. Heats of formation of titanium tetrachloride, tetrabromide, and tetra- iodide were determined. The data, collected for the Office of Naval

Research, are of importance in the metallurgy of titanium.

The Raman spectrum of triethylborane was measured to obtain fre- quency shifts and polarization data. Tentative assignments were made

for most of the observed bands by comparison with the spectra of tri- methylborane and ethane. This work is a contribution to studies of the

structures of a series of important boron-carbon compounds. The

project is supported by the Navy Bureau of Aeronautics.

Organic Chemistry. The relative strengths of 40 aromatic carboxylic

acids in benzene were determined. This comprehensive investigation

provides improved understanding of the influence of the solvent on the

behavior of important organic acids and is correlated with electrochemical

and spectrochemical data in the literature. In work sponsored by the Atomic Energy Commission, methods were

developed for the synthesis of radioactive carbohydrates labeled with

carbon-14 and tritium. These materials are used as tracers in biology

36
The Bureau has electrodeposited several of the refractory and light metals. Because the deposition potentials of these metals are so far above hydrogen,

they must be deposited from organic rather than aqueous solutions (p. 35). and medicine. Until the materials become commercially available, the

Bureau will prepare and distribute the compounds at cost. New products

synthesized included L-ascorbic acid-6-C14

, L-fucose-l-C14, L-idurone-6-C 14, L-rhamnose-l-C14

, and l,2-isopropylidene-D-idose-6-C14

. A study of the influence of steric factors on the rate and course of

chemical reactions was continued. Earlier studies of the mutation and

oxidation of aldoses had indicated a relationship between the conformation, or shape of the pyranose ring, and the rate of reaction. The alpha

and beta positions were presumed to differ with respect to the plane of

the ring, thus accounting for the striking difference found experimentally

in the reactivity of the alpha and beta sugars. The importance of ring

formation has since been recognized and techniques developed for its study. Under the sponsorship of the Office of Naval Research, the infra- red absorption of a large group of carbohydrate derivatives was measured

and a system devised for classifying the compounds by correlating infrared

absorption with structure. Results showed that certain sugars exist in more than one conformation, which can be assigned with more certainty

to fused ring structures than to single rings. For this reason, the spectra

of a group of isopropylidene compounds having fused ring structures are now being investigated.

Spectrophotometric measurements on substituted derivatives of 4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone were made to obtain values of molar absorb

ance and related data.

37
Air Pollution. A method has been devised for interpreting mass

spectra of samples of smog condensed at the temperature of liquid nitro- gen. Such samples are too complex for interpretation by the usual

methods. Analysis of samples from many sources now under study for the U. S. Bureau of Mines leads to the conclusion that most smogs contain

relatively high concentrations of "traffic gas". The infrared spectrum

of the free methyl peroxy radical, which is typical of those thought to be

present during reactions in smoggy atmospheres, was obtained, and a rapid, simple method was developed for the determination of acetylene

in air in the range of 10 parts per million to 10 parts per billion. 2.6. Mechanics

Basic to the Bureau's program in mechanics is the development, improvement, and maintenance of standards, and the development and

evaluation of techniques for the measurement of a large variety of mechanical quantities. These include volume capacity, weights and other forces, static pressures, the flow of liquids and gases, vibration amplitudes, and

the speed, attenuation, and intensity level of sound. To provide fixed points for comparison and otherwise to supplement these basic activities,

precise determinations are made of physical constants and properties of

materials, such as density, viscosity, and sound-transmission characteristics. In addition, fundamental research is performed in the mechanics of

solids and in fluid dynamics.

Measurement of Sound and Vibration. The measurement of very high

sound intensities in the vicinity of jet aircraft has become important in recent years. This requires microphones calibrated at high intensities,

where distortions occur because of the relatively large forces impressed on

the instrument. A null method for calibration has been devised, which

effectively removes distortions caused by the microphone, and makes

possible the measurement of certain types of intense sounds without the

removal of energy from the sound field. This method is particularly

applicable to condenser microphones.

The same type of microphone lends itself to use as a standard source of vibration when voltage is applied to it. A method for using it to cali- brate vibration gages over the frequency range from 10 to 30,000 cycles

per second was completed.

Perplexing differences exist between measurements, made in various

laboratories, of sound absorption coefficients for acoustical materials.

These differences are attributed to the fact that the randomness of the

sound field, which is necessary for accurate measurement, is partially

destroyed by the walls of the chamber in which measurements are necessarily made. Also, the absorption of sound is influenced to an unexpected

degree by the size of the sample. Methods have been devised for correct- ing the influence of the walls on absorption measurements, and a rational

scheme has been worked out for estimating the effect of small sample size on sound absorption.

38
High-frequency sound is useful for measuring the physical properties of matter. An accurate method was developed under the sponsorship of the

U. S. Navy for measuring the speed of sound in water, in which the time

of flight of a pulse of sound is measured. Speeds have been measured with an error much less than 0.01 percent. The method will be applied to the

calibration of velocimeters to be used in sea water, where the speed of sound must be known for sonar used by the Navy.

Hygrometry. A continuing demand exists for improved instrumentation for measuring the humidity of gases for industrial and scientific purposes. During the past year, effort has been directed toward setting up a standard hygrometer that would be suitable for calibrating other instru- ments for precise work in research and industry. The design of a gravimetric hygrometer for use as a standard was completed and construction

initiated. An airborne version of the microwave hygrometer is being

developed for use with high-altitude, high-speed military aircraft for the

Navy Bureau of Aeronautics. Pressure Measurement. Under sponsorship of the Ballistic Research

Laboratories, Army Ordnance Corps, construction was undertaken of an improved pressure -measuring device for dynamic calibration at high pressures. Work continued on a new pressure standard for calibration of highaltitude instruments under the sponsorship of the Air Force. Advances

were made on the use of manganin pressure gages for high static pressures, under the sponsorship of Army Ordnance Corps, Watertown Arsenal.

Mixing in Bodies of Water. In land-enclosed bodies of water, the wind

produces a surface drift which causes a reverse current at lower depths.

Where properties vary with depth, as in lower lying saline layers or regions

with vertical temperature gradients, the circulation created by the reverse current causes mixing of these properties. This is of considerable importance, particularly in engineering projects for the desalination of isolated

bays. The mixing by wind action and resulting circulation is being studied on a laboratory scale under the sponsorship of the Office of Naval Research. In this investigation the advance of a saline front into fresh water has been charted, and laws of mixing have been determined as functions of wind velocity and duration.

Fluid Slip at Nonwettable Surfaces. Experiments have established

that no slip occurs at the surface between a solid and a fluid flowing over it. Flow therefore consists of shearing motions within the fluid

itself. It has never been proved, however, that slip must be universally

absent, and it has often been supposed that slip is a distinct possibility at a surface which is not wetted by the fluid in which it is immersed.

If slip should occur, or could be made to occur, reduction in surface

friction might be expected. This possibility has been investigated under

the sponsorship of the Office of Naval Research, in connection with

hydrophobic materials, which are not wetted by water. Teflon is one

such material which has been studied in considerable detail by measuring

the resistance to flow in Teflon tubes and the resistance experienced by

oscillating disks. In no case could any evidence of slip be detected. 39
During the past year, the Bureau conducted a study on the accuracy of stress- strain recorders, such as the one shown in the process of plotting a stress- strain diagram. Calibrations were performed by the apparatus in insert and

results were made available to industry. The interferometric comparator

(left) is equipped with a photoelectric counter (far left) (p. 40). The conclusion was reached that the nonwetting property alone does not involve the kind of contact between fluid and solid that permits

slip. This does not preclude the possibility that some other surface-tofluid property might permit slip. So far, no such property is known.

Stress-Strain Recorders. Laboratories engaged in testing the strength

of materials such as steel, concrete, fabrics, rubber, and plastics make

extensive use of autographic recorders to plot graphs of stress and strain. Although these devices have been in use for many years, there has been

a lack of information about their accuracy. During the past year the

results of performance studies of representative instruments, conducted

under the sponsorship of the Atomic Energy Commission and the Department of Defense, were made available to industry. The tests included

calibrations of the stress and strain coordinates, as well as the measure- ment of other important characteristics such as the expansion of the graph

paper in humid weather. It was found that the instruments generally

met the requirements for accuracy set up by government and industry.

Dynamic Properties of Materials. The emphasis placed on loading

considerations in design has led to an increase in the number of structures

built to resist dynamic as well as static loads. Investigations of the

behavior of structures subjected to rapidly applied loads are being con- ducted by more and more laboratories. These activities have increased

the need for more exact knowledge of the dynamic properties of structural materials since the physical constants determined under static load conditions do not adequately describe the behavior of most structural materials

when subjected to rapidly applied loads. To comply with this demand, a "sling shot" machine was constructed

which fires a weight axially at one end of a long bar of structural material

40
with sufficient velocity to send a plastic strain pulse along the bar. Several techniques for recording these pulses at three stations simultaneously

have been employed in an attempt to obtain consistent values for the

stress -strain relations under very high rates of loading.

Density of Tungsten Wire. To meet industrial demands, the effect of drawing on the density of very fine tungsten wire was observed and

a precise determination of the density of the drawn wire was made.

From the weight of a known length, the cross -sectional area and diameter

may now be computed. However, obtaining an air-free sample of suffi- cient magnitude for reliable hydrostatic weighing presents a problem. In an attempt to obtain such a sample, a definite reaction (corrosion) of

distilled water on tungsten was observed. By modifying the procedure,

the effects of this reaction were virtually eliminated.

Jet Engine Controls. A continuing program in jet engine controls,

sponsored by the Wright Air Development Center, U. S. Air Force, is aimed at improving immersion-type temperature sensing devices for jet

engines. Because of the high temperatures and speeds, the accuracy,

rate of response, and durability of these devices must be improved if safe and successful operation of aircraft gas turbines and jet engines is to be maintained. Thus far, greater accuracy in observations of the response rate of sensing devices has been attained and several fast- responding instruments have been examined. A satisfactory rate of response has been obtained, but the durability of the faster devices

is inadequate.

Since several thermocouples normally are connected in parallel to obtain an average reading of exhaust gas temperatures, a knowledge of the contribution of each thermocouple to the reading on the indicating

instrument is necessary. If, because of lead resistances, contributions of the several thermocouples have different weights, some means must be

devised to weight them equally. A comprehensive analysis was made

of several parallel thermocouple systems, weighting factors were deter- mined, and methods of compensation were presented. An outgrowth of

this task was construction of an electrical analog which can be used to simulate any harness system having up to 12 thermocouples. Thus

weighting factors can be determined and compensation made.

Aircraft Fuel Accessories. Optimum performance of a gas-turbine

engine in flight requires precise adjustment and calibration of the fuel metering and control components prior to installation on the aircraft. Conventional methods of adjustment utilize static test procedures, but

experience is demonstrating that these are not always sufficient for ac- curate predictions of the dynamic performance of controls during flight.

Thus, a program to develop instrumentation, equipment, and procedures

for the dynamic evaluation of gas -turbine fuel metering and control components is being sponsored by the Navy Bureau of Aeronautics. A

closed-loop fuel control test stand, containing an analog computer to simulate existing jet engines, is now being installed for this purpose.

41
Also, evaluation studies have been undertaken on different makes and

sizes of electronic, turbine -type flowmeters to determine their suitability as flow transducers. Gas Turbine Radiation. Gas temperatures in turbine-type engines soon

will exceed the operating range of currently used immersion-type temperature-sensing devices. This necessitates the development of a flight

instrument that does not have the inherent disadvantages of the sensing

devices now in use. Particular interest has been shown in the development of an instrument

that will sense gas temperature from the radiating characteristics of the

hot products of combustion. The Wright Air Development Center has

requested the Bureau to investigate the emission and absorption of

hydrocarbon combustion products and to furnish the results to the in- dustrial contractor developing the essential components of such a flight

type radiation pyrometer.

Observations have been made on streams of exhaust gas at temperatures

from 1,000° to 3,500° F. Special emphasis was placed on the wavelength region between 4 and 5 ju, where many vibrational transitions of

carbon dioxide occur. Considerable effort was given to the theoretical

and experimental study of intensity gradients and their effects on the

accuracy of sensing devices. These investigations have established the

feasibility of an airborne pyrometer.

2.7. Organic and Fibrous Materials

The Bureau conducts research on natural and synthetic polymeric

materials, including rubber, textiles, paper, leather, and plastics. These

materials are composed of very long, chainlike molecules formed by the

process of polymerization. Many of their useful properties depend upon

the size, shape, distribution, and flexibility of their molecules. To ad- vance fundamental knowledge of these industrially important materials

and thus aid in their efficient utilization, the Bureau investigates the

mechanisms involved in forming polymers, their constitution and molecular structure, and methods of measuring their properties. The data

obtained are of value uot only in developing new polymeric materials

having specific properties, but also in devising techniques for evaluating

material already in use. Basic research during the year provided information on such topics as

transition temperatures of elastomers, processes involved in the degradation of cellulose by light, effects of high-energy radiation on polymers, and

mechanisms of failure in plastics under tensile loading. Methods were

developed for testing the smoothness of paper and the sewability of

sewing thread. In research conducted in cooperation with the American

Dental Association and the Federal dental services, significant contributions were made to knowledge of tooth structure and the properties of

dental materials.

Glass Transition Temperatures of Copolymers. Rubbers and other

elastomers become rigid and unfitted for normal use below a characteristic 42
temperature called the glass transition temperature. This temperature

can be conveniently studied by measuring the volume or density of the

material over a wide range of temperature, and then noting a break in the curve that represents the volume as a function of temperature.

Studies are under way to determine how the glass temperature of a given

polymeric material will vary with systematic changes in the molecule,

such as variation in molecular size, change in chemical composition, or introduction of branching or side groups onto the main chain of the

molecule.

If the elastomer is a copolymer, the glass temperature can be related to the glass temperatures of the components. Recent work has demonstrated the form of this relationship by an examination of all available data. It was found that the glass temperature can be represented as the

weighted mean of the glass temperatures of the constituents. The

observed weighting factors, however, do not correspond to those pre- dicted by theories assuming ideal mixing in copolymer systems. Methods

of determining the weighting factors have been developed and utilized in a number of two-component systems. Detailed studies have been made

of the commercially-important butadienestyrene copolymers, formerly

the government-produced GR-S and presently designated as SBR rubbers, and a system of fluorine -containing copolymers.

Degradation of Cellulose by Ultraviolet Light. The degradation of cellu- lose by light is important in the deterioration of textiles and paper. Hence, a knowledge of the primary processes involved has both practical

application and fundamental scientific value. In a recent investigation, sheets of dried, purified cotton cellulose made at NBS were irradiated at 40° C with ultraviolet light of 2537 A wavelength. The gases evolved were approximately 90-percent hydrogen and 10-percent carbon monoxide

plus carbon dioxide. The evolution of hydrogen followed a parabolic

rate law, indicating inhibition by a product. The irradiated cellulose was analyzed for changes in degree of polymerization, aldehyde group

content, and carboxyl group content. A close stoichiometrical parallel

existed between carboxyl formed and the calculated number of chain

fractures, indicating that these reactions may be related. It appears

that the main reaction at this wavelength is the photolysis of the alcohol groups in the cellulose to produce carbonyl groups, with the liberation of hydrogen gas. Effects of High-Energy Radiation. Atomic radiation often induces undesirable degradation reactions in polymeric materials. Therefore, new

materials must be developed that will be able to withstand this radiation.

On the other hand, the availability of ionizing radiation offers opportunities for producing new materials with improved physical properties and a greater practical value. To solve the problems connected with high-energy radiation, a basic

knowledge is needed of the mechanisms of the processes and reactions in- volved. Recent experimental work on the effects of irradiating polymers

450859—58 4 43
Comparing a rapid new instrument (right) for measuring the smoothness

of paper with an older-type instrument (left). Both instruments use an air- leak system. Although the new instrument is less sensitive at extreme values,

its rapidity makes it more useful (p. 45). indicates that the mechanism of these reactions involves free -radical inter- mediates. Assuming homogeneous kinetics and the presence of these free- radical intermediates, a theory has been developed which explains the

basic features of the effects of high-energy radiation on polymers. The

knowledge of these mechanisms suggests new fields of experimental attack on the problem, the results of which should aid in developing new tech- niques and methods for improving polymeric materials by atomic

radiation. Fracture of Plastics. The fracture characteristics of plastics yield

valuable clues to the mechanism of failure, and thus have importance in design and application considerations as well as in fundamental investigations of structure and dynamics. In recent studies of fracture behavior,

tensile specimens of cast polymethyl methacrylate of different molecular

weights were broken by static loading, and the fracture surfaces compared. The fracture appearance was fairly constant for a given molecular

weight, but with changes in molecular weight a continuous development was observed of certain features and a retrogression of others. The series of fracture patterns caused by varying the molecular weight was similar

in appearance to a series, reported in the literature which was developed

by varying the rate of loading. Thus, molecular weight is an important

parameter, which must be considered along with rate of loading in fundamental studies of the fracture behavior of polymers.

44
Smoothness of Printing Paper. The type of printing and the end use of the printed paper determine the optimum value for smoothness of paper. For some applications the smoothness should be a maximum, while in others it should be within specified limits. A new instrument for measuring the smoothness of printing papers has

been compared with an older type of instrument by use of the MandelStiehler sensitivity criterion. This criterion is especially useful where

there is no absolute standard of comparison and no simple proportional

relationship between the results of the two methods.

Both instruments use an air-leak system. The older one requires measuring the time for a fixed volume of air under specific pressure to pass between the paper and an optical flat; the new instrument requires obser- vation of the bob in a precision flowmeter. For all but very smooth papers,

a close but complicated relationship was found between the values given

by the two methods. The new instrument was more sensitive in the

middle range of smoothness values; the other was more sensitive at the extremes. However, the new instrument requires about one -fifth as much time for a reading, so that its lesser sensitivity at the extremes can

be compensated for by measuring a greater number of specimens.

Sewability of Cotton Thread. Cotton thread for high-speed industrial sewing must have such an impact-absorbing capacity that the sewing can be accomplished at speeds up to 5,000 stitches per minute. In work

sponsored by the Army Quartermaster Research and Development Command, the Bureau evaluated the mechanical properties and impactabsorbing capacity of cotton threads which varied systematically in fiber quality, spinning twist of yarn, ply twist of thread, and amount of finish. Both dyed and undyed threads were studied. A critical analysis of the

results showed that the kind of cotton, the ply twist, and dyeing affected the thread properties greatly. The spinning twist and the amount of

finish had only a minor effect. Quantitative relationships were found

which point to a number of criteria for laboratory evaluation of the

sewability of cotton thread.

Fluorescence of Human Enamel and Dentin. The degree of calcification in tooth tissue contributes greatly to the physical properties of the tooth. During the year, studies of the fluorescence of human enamel and dentin

under ultraviolet radiation, made jointly with the American Dental

Association, showed that the intensity of fluorescence may be used to measure the degree of tooth calcification. The periodic high and low calci- fication of the developing tooth produces alternate bright and dark bands

in the fluorescence photographs of enamel and dentin. Poor calcification at any period during the formation or growth of the tooth appears as a highly fluorescent zone in the portion of the tooth structure formed during

that period. Thus, fluorphotographs of the tooth sections indicate the growth patterns of the teeth in the same way that the rings of a tree indi- cate its growth pattern.

45
Improved Materialfor Treating Teeth. Zinc oxide -eugenol mixtures have

a wide variety of applications as tooth-treating materials in dentistry.

However, the presently available commercial zinc oxide -eugenol mixtures

harden rapidly only in the presence of accelerators. The products have

low strength and can not be used with plastic filling materials as they

interfere in the hardening of the resin. Chemical analysis of the reaction products showed that a zinc eugenolate

with a ring (chelated) structure is formed during the hardening process. When other compounds that are capable of forming chelate rings with

metal oxides were substituted, products that harden quickly at room temperature without the use of accelerators were obtained. These materials

had much higher strength than the commercial materials now available. Mixtures containing zinc oxide -ethoxybenzoic acid and eugenol seem

especially promising for making improved dental impression pastes or temporary filling materials.

Structural Changes in Rubber During Vulcanization. Information on

the structure of vulcanized rubber is essential to the interpretation of

results obtained through vulcanization and oxidation, and to an understanding of the physical properties of rubber. In recent work, infrared

absorption was used to study the structures resulting from different methods of vulcanization. Sulfur vulcanizates showed the presence of

a shifted double bond previously noted; a newly discovered band indicated

the presence of conjugated double bonds. Some accelerators were found

to increase the rate of double -bond shift and reduce the number of con- jugated double bonds. Neither the double-bond shift nor conjugation is observed in several types of vulcanization which do not involve the use of

elemental sulfur, but other structural changes occur in these vulcanizates.

Apparently the double -bond shift and conjugation are phenomena primarily related to the chemical reactions between rubber and elemental

sulfur. The other systems studied evidently involve different mechanisms

of vulcanization. This work implies that there may be a relationship

between susceptibility to oxidation and the amount of conjugation in the

vulcanizates. Both quantities are highest for sulfur vulcanizates, inter- mediate for sulfur -accelerator systems, and lowest for sulfurless vulcanizates.

Oil-Extended Rubber. Knowledge of the composition of oils used in oil-extended synthetic rubbers is helpful in specifying types of oil and in understanding the properties of the oil-rubber master batches. In work

sponsored by the National Science Foundation, infrared analysis was applied to two series of oil fractions separated by basically different methods.

Fractions of a number of different oils or oil distillates were studied.

The spectra were compared as to the method of separation, and, in some

cases, as to the physical and chemical properties of the fractions. Marked

similarities were noted between certain of the fractions separated by the

two methods. However, a variability of structural types from one oil to another was indicated, especially in the more polar fractions. It ap46
pears that this variability, particularly in the polar groups and other

structures leading to active hydrogens, could account for the observed

variability in the aging properties of master batches containing different

oils or oil fractions. Influence of Temperature on Chrome Tanning. One of the most important methods of converting hide into leather is to apply a basic chromium

sulfate solution to the hide. Tanners have known for many years that

temperature plays an important role in this reaction. Both the rate of

tanning and the amount of chromium sulfate which combines with the

collagen increase with an increase in temperature. The exact function

of temperature, however, has not been understood, and rigid temperature

controls are not used in tanneries.

Results of recent work showed that the amount of chrome combined at 50° C was 3 to 4 times greater than that combined at 0° C. An analysis

of the data indicated that the sulfate (SOf) combined in the leather consisted of two components: one which was constant at all temperatures,

and one which varied in the same ratio with the amount of chrome

(Cr2 3) at all temperatures. The first component had combined with

free basic groups in the leather protein, and the second was combined in the chrome tanning complex. The formation of the chrome tanning complex depends on hydrolysis which increases with increase in temperature.

The influence of temperature, therefore, may be explained from the in- crease in the rate of hydrolysis, which produces more active chrome complexes to combine with the collagen. Heats of Wetting. Organic and fibrous materials, when placed in water,

evolve heat. The source of the heat is assumed to be the reaction of the

water with certain active groups present in the materials. Measurement

of this heat of wetting in a calorimeter provides a quick, simple procedure

for obtaining an over-all estimate of the water adsorptive properties

High water adsorptive capacity contributes to the comfort-giving qualities of natural and synthetic fibers and plastic materials used in the

manufacture of footwear aud clothing.

The heats of wetting were determined of a series of organic and fibrous materials, including proteins, chemically modified proteins, textile materials, plastics, and leathers. Of the materials examined, the leather- making protein, collagen, was shown to have the highest heat of wetting.

Good correlation was obtained between the experimentally determined

heats of wetting and the polar active groups of the proteins. Conversion of collagen to leather by either chrome or vegetable tanning reduces

the heat of wetting, but the value still remains considerably higher than

the values for the more water-adsorptive synthetic or plastic materials.

Of the synthetic fibers and plastics, vicara, which is prepared from the

protein zein, and polyvinyl alcohol showed the highest heats of wetting.

Mildew-Proofing of Leathers. The fungicide used by the Army Quartermaster Corps for protecting leather is 4-nitrophenol. This compound

is not entirely satisfactory from the standpoint of color, water solubility

.

and toxicity to human skin when present in excessive amounts.

47
Left: Data obtained in X-ray studies of the hydroxyapatite crystal are useful to scientists studying inorganic structure and mineralized body tissues

(p. 50). Right: Developing a treatment to prevent mildew on leather. Specimens are kept in an oven at 30° C to simulate an environment conducive to fungicide

growth (p. 47).

Recent research, sponsored by the Army Quartermaster Research and

Development Command, disclosed that bis(4-nitrophenyl) carbonate and

bis(2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl) carbonate may offer some important advantages over 4-nitrophenol, while being just about as effective. These

compounds are colorless, comparatively water-insoluble, and reportedly

less toxic to human skin. Under mildew-growing conditions they are hydrolyzed to the corresponding free phenols. They, therefore, offer the unique possibility of incorporating into the leather a nontoxic material

which becomes fungitoxic only under the specific conditions requiring a

fungicide. In view of the difficulty of finding an effective leather fungicide that is not toxic to human skin, this behavior is important. Analytical methods have been developed for the bis compounds based on the

decomposition to free phenols and these methods are being used in further

studies of stability characteristics of the compounds.

Sedimentation Equilibrium of Flexible Chain Molecules. Molecular

weight, molecular weight distribution, and molecular configuration

greatly influence the physical properties of high polymeric materials such

as plastics, rubber, paper, and textiles. One of the best means of obtaining information on these molecular properties is by appropriate physical

measurements on dilute solutions of the materials. The equihbrium

centrifuge, developed in Sweden by Svedberg, has long been used to determine weight-average molecular weights of polydisperse polymer

systems. Work at the Bureau has shown both theoretically and experimentally that to obtain reliable weight-average molecular weights the

solvent and temperature employed must be suitable; in particular, "ideal

48
solutions" are required and it was demonstrated that they can be obtained

in the equilibrium ultracentrifuge. As a consequence of these studies,

methods can now be developed to measure absolute molecular weights.

Effects of High Rates of Straining. The increasing use of plastics to withstand impact and high accelerations requires knowledge of their behavior under these conditions. Plastic items that encounter impact

include tools, safety helmets, body armor, shuttles, and disposable plastic

parachutes.

Under the sponsorship of the Army Quartermaster Research and Development Command, a method of impacting textile fibers and yarns was adapted to impact plastics films. Each impact event was recorded

by a high-speed motion picture camera. Data obtained from the photographic film are used to compute the stress-strain curve. The energy to rupture and the maximum strain at rates of straining of 400,000 to 800,000

percent per minute were determined with 3 -mil-thick polyester plastic film and compared with data obtained at conventional testing speeds.

The results may be used to evaluate plastic film for making disposable

parachutes. Data obtained with other plastics may be used to gain

insight on the behavior of these materials under impact-loading conditions.

Effects of Molding Pressure on Reinforced Plastics. Plastic laminates

reinforced with glass fiber have many structural applications; for example,

aircraft component parts and radomes in which high strength-to -weight

ratios and nonmetallic properties are essential. Relatively high molding

pressures were considered necessary where maximum strength was re- quired. This resulted in high fabrication costs. A recent study of the effects of molding pressure, sponsored by the Air

Force, Wright Air Development Center, revealed that, when glass-resin ratios of the laminates are held constant by using a closed mold, changes

in molding pressure from 10 to 500 lb/ in.2 have no significant effect on

the strength properties of the laminates. In open-mold laminating tech- niques, where excess resin is allowed to flow out of the mold, changes in molding pressure from 1 to 100 lb/ in. 2 cause significant variations in strength properties. These variations, however, can be related to the

variations in the glass-resin ratios of the laminates.

Surface Erosion of Plastics. Plastics in structural applications are commonly reinforced with organic or inorganic fibrous materials to improve impact and flexural strength. When reinforced plastics are used

in structures that must be periodically decontaminated or otherwise

subjected to cyclic wetting and drying, surface erosion often results. Microscopic investigation of a large number of reinforced plastics was

undertaken, under the sponsorship of the Army Quartermaster Research

and Development Command to determine the mechanisms involved in

this erosion, and to develop materials with improved erosion resistance.

It was found that surface deterioration in plastics with inorganic fillers, such as glass fiber or asbestos, is caused largely by failures in the bond

between the resin and the fibers, although crazing sometimes plays a significant role. Local stress concentrations leading to chipping and

49
spalling in the superficial layers result. Organic fillers apparently absorb

moisture through the resin and swell. When close to the surface, this swelling causes considerable damage to the integrity of the material.

For most materials, the only available solution appears to be the application of an overlay to protect the fibers from contact with moisture.

This can be accomplished through the use of organic materials such as polyester film, by laminating external metal sheets to the plastic structure, or by the application of gel coats. Several other possible devices to improve resistance to erosion, however, remain to be explored.

Gallium Alloys. The investigation of the use of gallium as a component

of dental-filling materials was continued with the support of the American

Dental Association and the Federal dental services. It was found that an alloy, made by mixing a liquid consisting of an approximate eutectic

composition of gallium and tin with a powder of copper and tin, had good

mechanical properties from a dental restorative standpoint. This gallium

alloy had approximately the same setting expansion as dental amalgam

but greater compressive strength, hardness, and modulus of elasticity.

However, as the alloy corroded excessively it was not satisfactory for use as a dental restorative material.

A second alloy composition, consisting only of gallium and tin, has much

better corrosion resistance. With the exception of a high setting expansion, this material has mechanical properties similar to the gallium-coppertin alloys. The development of nickel-base alloy powders to reduce the

setting expansion could result in a new satisfactory filling material.

Color Standards for Dental Materials. Color is an essential property of

filling materials for front teeth. The present system of color designation

for such materials has been empirically developed by individual manufacturers. Lack of standardization causes confusion among the users and difficulty in teaching clinical application. Also, difficulties have

arisen in Government procurement. In research on silicate -cement filling materials, a standard means was

recently devised for defining the shades in a scientific numerical system.

The Gardner automatic color difference meter was used, after modification

for specimen size, to measure the tristimulus values (X, Y, and Z) for a wide range of shades of silicates which are made to match natural teeth. This research, sponsored by the Federal dental services and the Bureau,

has as its long-range objective to define numerically the color of all dental

materials where esthetics is involved.

Crystal Chemistry of Mineralized Tissue. The mineral prototype of

bone and tooth hard substance is called hydroxyapatite [Caio(P04)6(OH2 ]. By the use of X-ray diffraction techniques, an analysis of the three-dimensional arrangement of the atoms in this structure has been completed.

The parameters for the structure were determined by an electronic computer. A clear definition was derived of the positions in space of the

calcium, phosphorus, and oxygen atoms, and also of the hydroxyl groups

which comprise the hydroxyapatite crystal. The improved data will be

50
useful to physical chemists, physicists, mineralogists, and other scientists studying inorganic structures. In addition, the exact knowledge of atomic placement in apatite will serve as a guide for further investigation

of the mineralized tissues of the body. This work was sponsored by the

American Dental Association. In cooperative work with the National Institute for Dental Research on the crystal chemistry of bone and tooth mineral, the acid solubility of enamel in experimental animals was reduced by pretreatment with

calcium acetate solution. Similar results were obtained with synthetic

apatites deficient in calcium ions. These findings are theoretically sig- nificant because of the indication that hard tissue is similar to defect

apatites prepared in the Bureau's dental laboratory. Clinically, they

could lead to a treatment to reduce the solubility of teeth, and thereby

decrease caries incidence.

2.8. Metallurgy

The Bureau's work in metallurgy is concerned with the physical, chemical, mechanical, and thermal properties of metals and alloys and with

their behavior under both normal and abnormal conditions. The objective of the program has always been to increase both theoretical and

practical knowledge of metals in order to provide the improved materials

constantly demanded by science and industry. A new metal physics

laboratory has been instituted to augment the theoretical work carried on in the Metallurgy Division. It will be noted that much of the program

described in the following paragraphs is slanted toward properties and

behavior of metals at high temperatures. This emphasis is a result of the higher temperatures developed in high-speed aircraft and other

modern devices.

Equilibrium Diagrams. To understand and predict the behavior and

best utilization of alloys, it is advantageous to have detailed equilibrium

diagrams that show their melting ranges, structural changes occurring

at various temperatures, intermetallic compounds, and solubility -temperature relationships. In research sponsored by the Atomic Energy Commission on the alloys

of uranium with the platinum metals (platinum, palladium, rhodium,

ruthenium, osmium, and iridium), the equilibrium diagram of the platinum-uranium system was brought to completion. Much of the exploratory work on the other platinum metals has been done, and progress has

been made on the somewhat complicated uranium-palladium system.

Studies of the controversial magnesium-zinc alloy system, sponsored

by the Air Force Wright Air Development Center, are nearly completed,

and work on the quaternary system, iron-chromium-molybdenum-nickel,

is being continued.

Deformation of Metals. For the past several years the Bureau lias been

investigating the rheological behavior, at subzero and elevated temperatures, of high-purity nickel and copper, and alloys of the nickel-copper

system. Particular attention has been given to the creep mechanism of

51
Studying structural stresses in metals by X-ray diffraction. This technique

permits precise determination of the interatomic distances in crystals. Even

very small stresses change this spacing and can therefore be determined by

diffraction methods (p. 52). these polycrystalline metals at different temperatures, and to evaluating

the experimental data in terms of existing and proposed theories and

equations. None of the existing equations is entirely suited for defining

the extension -time relationship in each of the three stages of creep. An evaluation was made of the stress -rupture properties at 1,350°,

1,500°, and 1,600° F of a die-cast cobalt base alloy for the Navy Bureau

of Ships. The results showed that the stress rupture properties of the

die -cast material were somewhat inferior to those reported in the literature

for precision cast specimens. This inferiority was especially noticeable in

initially aged specimens, and at temperatures of 1,500° or 1,600° F. Microscopic Stresses in Metals. The usual commercially important

metals are extremely inhomogeneous on a microscopic scale. This is because they are polycrystalline aggregates and may be made up of two

or more phases. As the crystals are generally anisotropic and the different phases may have widely different coefficients of linear thermal expansion,

it has been shown theoretically that the inhomogeneous contraction on

cooling from the liquid state should set up microscopic stresses in the

metal. Actual measurement of such stresses is difficult because of the

extremely short distance over which they operate. Recently, such measurements have been made by means of X-ray diffraction techniques,

which permit highly precise determination of the interatomic distances in

crystals. As the application of a stress causes a regular change in the

52
spacing of the atoms, and as the X-ray diffraction technique "sorts out"

the separate phases, it is possible to measure these microscopic stresses

if they affect one phase differently from another. Using very careful surface preparation procedures to avoid introducing extraneous stresses, measurements were made on a carbon steel and a two-phase brass. In

each case the experimentally determined stresses agreed reasonably well

with those calculated from the known thermal expansion coefficients of

the separate phases. The results add experimental weight to knowledge

that was previously largely theoretical, and they show the impossibility

of obtaining a completely stress-free condition in metals that contain more

than one phase differing in coefficient of linear thermal expansion.

Corrosion. In studies partially supported by the Corrosion Research

Council, it was found that light may have a marked influence on the corrosion process. A copper single crystal, immersed in air-saturated water and

illuminated on one side by white light from a 3,200° K lamp, showed

remarkably different rates of corrosion on the illuminated and dark sides. The film on the lighted side was only one-fourth as thick as that on the dark side after 3 hours' illumination. Further, when similar light was

allowed to impinge on part of a crystal immersed in water and already

containing a rather thick oxide film (1000 to 2000 A), the oxide on the

illuminated portion appeared to dissolve after a period of 2 or 3 hours and

to become considerably thinner than on the part of the crystal kept dark.

Studies also showed that the corrosion of single crystals of metals is influenced by the crystal structure; and that both the formation of oxide

films in water and the deposition of thin layers of metal upon similar metal

surfaces bear definite relationships to the underlying crystal structures. Basic studies on the influence of crystallographic orientation demonstrated that the corrosion of single crystals of high-purity aluminum in strongly acid or alkaline media is an orderly process, the rate of attack

depending on the orientation of the corroding surface. A method using polarization curves was developed for determining the instantaneous rate of corrosion on ferrous metal surfaces exposed to corrosive media. This method provides a means for studying the rate of cor- rosion while it is taking place, and may be of value in the preliminary

screening of materials for service in specific corrodants.

Materials for Ultraprecise Gage Blocks. The Bureau now calibrates

industrial master gage blocks, which are used as standards for controlling

the accuracy of mass-produced machine parts, to an accuracy of 1 part

in 1 million. This means that inch-long blocks are certified to the nearest millionth of an inch. However, as mechanized industry has

become increasingly complex, the dimensional tolerances that can be

permitted in machine parts is continually decreasing. Makers of machine

tools have therefore requested the Bureau to undertake research that will make it possible to calibrate master gage blocks to a precision of 1 pari

in 10 million. An important phase of this program is the selection, preparation,

treatment, and evaluation of materials for gage blocks of the required

53
To meet the need for increasingly smaller tolerances in the aircraft and other

industries, the Bureau is conducting research directed toward the calibration of gage blocks to one 10-millionth of an inch (p. 53). Representatives of industry are shown observing progress made in increasing the dimensional

stability of gage blocks (p. 53). They are inspecting apparatus which applies

extremely hard nitrided cases to steels. precision. These materials must have sufficient hardness to resist wear, and a high degree of dimensional stability. It is highly desirable that

the gages have approximately the same coefficient of expansion as the

material to be gaged and sufficient corrosion resistance to withstand

attack by atmosphere and finger perspiration.

Nine steels have been procured for use in this study and tests are under way to establish the optimum conditions of hardening and refrigeration to obtain the desired hardness and dimensional stability. Promising

results have been obtained in nitriding samples of 410 stainless steel with

ammonia.

High-Strength Alloys. Following the development, under the sponsorship of the Navy Bureau of Aeronautics, of an ultra -high-strength steel suitable for use in aircraft landing gears at ambient temperatures,

attention is now being directed toward the development of a highstrength steel for use at moderately elevated temperatures.

Currently, there is widespread interest in steels having tensile strengths

of about 250,000 to 300,000 lb/in.2 at room temperature, for aircraft construction. However, their fatigue strength is often not much higher

than that of steels having much lower static strengths and this fact has

tended to discourage their more extensive use. Research is continuing in this area to provide information on the metallurgical conditions that will produce steel having the optimum fatigue strength.

54
Titanium and its alloys have such high strength-weight ratios that

they are now being used in increasing amounts in military aircraft and

airborne equipment. Information is needed on their mechanical properties as affected by stress concentrations, stress systems, and by subzero

and moderately elevated temperatures in order to use this relatively new

class of structural materials to the best advantage. A study was, therefore, made to evaluate the behavior in tension of annealed commercially

pure titanium and a 4-percent aluminum-4-percent manganese titanium

alloy at temperatures ranging from —196° to +100° C under stresses such as those induced by a circumferential V -notch in cylindrical

specimens. The experimental results showed that the resistance to flow

increased in both the metal and the alloy with either a decrease in test temperature or an increase in notch depth. The increase in resistance to flow, however, was accompanied by a corresponding decrease in

ductility.

Stainless Steels. The precipitation-hardening stainless steels are now

being widely used at tensile strength levels of from 175,000 to 200,000

lb/in.2 in aircraft construction where the components attain moderately

elevated temperatures. The 17 -percent chromium-7-percent nickel precipitation -hardening type, known as 17-7 PH, retains at 800° F about 75

percent of its strength at room temperature. The aircraft industry is now in urgent need of structural steels having even higher strength

levels in order to meet the continuing demand for increase in speed and

performance. The 17-7 PH steel can be heat-treated and refrigerated

to produce tensile strengths at room temperature in excess of 200,000

lb/in.2

, but this increase is accompanied by a decrease in ductility. As

this type of stainless steel is relatively new, the mechanism of hardening

is not well-understood, and the identity of the hardening compound and

the optimum conditions for heat treating have not been definitely established. A study is now being made for Wright Air Development Center

of the effects of various combinations of hea t treatments on the mechanical

properties of this steel at room and elevated temperatures.

The stress corrosion of austenitic stainless steels is currently being

studied with the support of the Pressure Vessel Research Committee of the Welding Research Council. It has been shown during the past year

that stress cracks occur only after some plastic deformation while the

steels are being exposed to a corrosive medium.

2.9. Mineral Products

The Bureau conducts both fundamental and applied research on a wide

variety of inorganic materials. These materials are of interest to the

nonmetallic mineral industries in the production of refractories, porcelains, pottery, glasses, enamels, cermets, and cements. The primary

objective of this work is the accumulation of basic data on the properties,

constants, and behavior of these materials as an aid in advancing tech55
Recent studies of dielectric materials led to a new method of representing

dielectric data. This method, which makes use of the complex conductivity

is easier to interpret at low frequencies than previous methods (p. 57). nological development in the ceramic industries. Particular attention is given to those areas of research which are most applicable to all branches

of the industry.

Studies of the properties and behavior of materials at high temperatures were continued because of the urgent need for such basic information in work on atomic energy and high-speed flight. Much of the special equipment required for working at high temperatures, including a solar furnace,

has been assembled and is currently being used to obtain data on the

chemical, physical, and engineering properties of refractory oxides and

oxide systems.

Spectra of Calcium Silicates and Aluminates. Infrared absorption

methods were utilized to investigate the complex chemical and physical

structure of the calcium silicates and aluminates which are believed to be

responsible for the hardening of portland cement. To study the changes

produced by hydration, absorption spectra were obtained on laboratoryprepared compounds of tricalcium silicate, beta-dicalcium silicate, tricalcium aluminate, and tetracalcium aluminoferrite, both before and

after hydration. Preliminary measurements of calcium silicate hydrate,

prepared from tricalcium silicate, indicate that the OH bending frequency

occurs at a longer wavelength than in most other hydrates.

56
Structure and Ferroelectricity. A study of a dielectric relaxation process occurring at low frequencies in ceramic barium titanate led to a new method of representing dielectric data. This new method, which uses the complex conductivity rather than the complex permittivity, is easier to interpret at low frequencies than are previously used methods.

A method was developed for the resolution of overlapping X-ray

diffraction peaks. The Fourier coefficients of the unresolved doublet are determined and then used to calculate the coefficients for the individual

components. In its present form, the method requires prior knowledge of the relative heights of the individual components and assumes that they

have the same unknown but symmetrical shape. Current work is con- cerned with removing the need for this prior knowledge. In multidomain barium titanate crystals the domains possess random

orientation. In so-called single-domain crystals all domains have the same orientation. The process of converting multidomain crystals into

single -domain form is important in preparing memory elements for computers and in establishing the piezoelectric properties of ferroelectric ceramic transducers. Normally this conversion is carried out at the

ferroelectric Curie point at 120° C. During the past year it was found

that conversion could also be effected at the transition between ferroelectric states at about 0° C. From a practical standpoint this may be

important because the higher electrical conductivity at the higher temperature makes the conversion process somewhat uncertain. It was also found that the orientation of the domains could be controlled during

conversion at 0° C. Thus it is now possible to prepare crystals completely

in what is known as the a -domain form. The availability of crystals in

this form should make possible an extension of the knowledge of the

domain properties of barium titanate. Phase Relations in System Lime-Alumina-Water. The aqueous system

lime -alumina -water has been the subject of numerous investigations,

largely because of its importance to the setting and hardening of cementitious materials. Knowledge of the solid phases in this system, and their

stability relationships, is essential to an understanding of portland

cement, aluminous cement, and the various types of slag cements. Despite the wealth of existing data, certain aspects of the subject are still in doubt. In an attempt to clarify these aspects an investigation is being

conducted at lower temperatures than have been previously employed in

this work. Monocalcium aluminate hydrate, hitherto an uncertain entity,

has been prepared sufficiently pure and in adequate crystal size to permit

determination of its composition and optical properties. It has been

shown to be an essential constituent of hydrated aluminous cements. Tricalcium aluminate hexahydrate, the only ternary phase in the system

that is stable from room temperature up to 200° C, appears not to be

stable at 1° C. At this temperature, it slowly changes to one or more of the hexagonal hydrates. On the basis of as yet incomplete data, the solid phases stable at 1° C appear to be hydrated alumina (gibbsite), calcium

hydroxide, and tetracalcium aluminate hydrate.

57
15-year weather-exposure study of porcelain enameled steel panels was

completed. Measurement of changes in gloss and color were used to evaluate the weather resistance of various types of enamel (p. 59). Vaporization Processes at High Temperatures. A knowledge of the

factors governing the behavior of refractory materials at high temperatures is important to the success of guided missiles, high-speed planes, and

atomic reactors. For example, in the temperature range of 1,500° to 2,500° C, the vapor pressure of solids and their vaporization process under

the influence of surrounding gases play a dominant role in determining the

volume stability of the solid or its general usefulness as a structural component.

Equipment has been constructed for carrying out vaporization studies

of inorganic refractory oxides using the Langmuir or weight loss technique. In this technique the vapor pressure can be determined by following the

changes in weight with time of a solid of known area at some constant temperature. The vapor pressure of aluminum oxide has been determined

in the range 1,000° to 1,350° C. With the recent installation of a 50-kw

induction heater this temperature range can be extended to 1,900° C. Preliminary studies of the vaporization process of aluminum oxide in the presence of various gases are under way. When the temperature of

aluminum oxide was raised to its melting point (2,015° C) in the Bureau's

solar furnace, the alumina volatilized at such a rate that the molten

material appeared first to boil and then to freeze as it drew upon its own

heat to maintain the volatilization process. Excess Entropy of Glass. The molecular structure of many different types of glasses is under comprehensive fundamental study. Determining the basic principles can make possible the full development of potential uses for glass which are not yet completely exploited. One such possibility is the extensive use of glass as a structural material. This study

58
is concerned with the molecular analysis of the reaction of glasses to mechanical vibrations over a wide range of frequency, the presence of incidental minor constituents such as water in glasses at high temperatures, and the excess entropy of compounds in the glassy (vitreous)

condition when compared with the same compound in the crystalline

form. Excess entropy is a measure of the extent to which the molecules in a

glass are disorganized rather than being orderly arranged as in the

crystalline form. This disorganization is a common feature of all glasses,

and may be a controlling factor in many of the desirable properties

peculiar to glasses. Excess entropies are being studied by calorimetric determination of

the residual entropies of glasses at temperatures near absolute zero. Another technique compares the entropies of vaporization of corresponding glasses and crystals obtained through vapor pressure measurements

at several temperatures. A series of vapor pressure measurements has

been completed on vitreous arsenic trisulfide at temperatures between

120° and 180° C by a transpiration technique. This technique requires

the collection and measurement of the amount of experimental material

in a known volume of carrier gas (nitrogen). A number of experiments

suggested that the values obtained represent an equilibrium vaporization

process, since the vitreous condition is not usually considered to be one

of thermodynamic equilibrium.

High-Temperature Properties of Silica. Silica (Si02 ) is one of the most

important of the refractory oxides. It can exist in several distinct crystallographic forms depending on the temperature of heat treatment. The transformation from one form to another involves a volume or density change which may be detrimental to the strength and volume

stability of the refractory.

There are wide gaps in the understanding of the fundamental nature

of these transformations. For example, cristobalite, the high temperature form of silica, has a rapid reversible transformation with accompanying undesirable volume change in the range 180° to 270° C. The higher

the temperature of heat treatment, the higher this inversion temperature.

This effect is anomalous since such an inversion should occur at a fixed temperature. Current work with a highly purified source of silica has

shown that its inversion temperature above 1,500° C is constant. Silica heated to lower temperatures has a lower inversion temperature which is apparently related to a larger number of defects or lower degree of cr\ s- tallinity. Indications are that the effect of higher temperature heat treatment is to perfect the structure as reflected in a constant trans- formation temperature.

Properties of Porcelain Enamels. Analysis of the data taken during a 15 -year weather-exposure test of porcelain-enameled steel panels was completed. At the request of the Porcelain Enamel Institute, the stud) has

been extended, with provision for continued inclusion of new types of enamels as they become important.

450859—58 5 59
Standard X-ray diffraction patterns prepared by the Bureau provide industry

with a rapid means for identifying crystalline materials (p. 61).

Evaluation of color-differences among groups of similar porcelain enameled specimens was completed. This program involved analysis of visual

estimates made by more than 30 individuals in 8 different laboratories. The results will be compared with several types of instrumental measurements, and will be useful in establishing a standard color-difference test. Analysis of extensive field service and laboratory data, taken over periods of 5 to 7 years on porcelain-enameled fixtures, has been continued.

Experimental laboratory tests were made in an effort to develop test methods that would give better correlation with service results than

existing tests do, and that would be suitable for adoption as standards.

Thermochemistry of Cement Compounds. As part of the Bureau's program of determining the properties and constitution of materials,

measurements have been made of the heats of formation of compounds

occurring in cements and their hydration products. Since the compounds

in the cementing materials occur in a finely divided state, surface energies

contribute significantly in their formation. It is important, therefore, to study the finely divided cementing materials as well as their major

constituents. A knowledge of the thermodynamic properties of these

compounds is necessary to determine their stability relationships and in gaining an understanding of their behavior.

During the past year, heat-of-reaction studies have been made on the

high -sulfate form of calcium sulfoaluminate. This compound appears to be important to the setting process of portland cement, plays a part in the destructive action of sulfate waters on concrete, and is a major constituent of supersulfate cements. Studies have also been made of

hardened pastes of calcium hydroxide, silica gel, and water. These are the ultimate products of the hydrolysis of portland cement. 60
Special Optical Glasses. The use of infrared devices for missile guid- ance, target detection, aerial mapping, and fire control is constantly

increasing. In the production of a material having the desired properties

for infrared application, glasses offer many advantages. Their optical

and physical properties can be varied over a considerable range by

appropriate composition changes. They can be shaped by molding,

grinding, and polishing without the necessity for cutting or cleaving in a particular direction as is the case with crystals.

Under the sponsorship of the Navy Bureau of Ordnance, research

has been conducted on such simple ternary glass-forming systems as BaO-Ti02 -Si02 , BaO-La2 3 -Si02 , and BaO-Ta2 5 -Si02 . The objective of

this investigation is to find glasses having good transmittance in the

infrared, high refractive indices at these wavelengths, high deformation

temperatures, and good chemical durability. Based on the ternary compositions, multicomponent glasses have been developed which have good

infrared transmittance, refractive indices up to 1.99, deformation temperatures above 800° C, and good stability in aqueous solutions of moderate

acidity or alkalinity. Three glasses developed for the Navy are now

being melted in pilot production by a commercial producer.

The calcium aluminate glasses have been under study. They transmit

well in the infrared, but usually have poor durability when exposed to moist atmospheres. Samples of improved glasses are now being tested to determine if the durability is satisfactory for conditions of actual use. Spoiling of Concrete at Elevated Temperatures. During the warm-up

and take-off periods of jet aircraft, concrete aprons are often observed to deteriorate rapidly, even explosively, as a result of the extreme thermal

shock. To find means of preventing such failures some of the factors

affecting the thermal spalling characteristics of concrete are being investi- gated for the Navy Bureau of Yards and Docks.

Results showed that the primary cause of concrete spalling under rapid

thermal shock is related to the total amount of unbound water present in the concrete. The rate and amount of water that is absorbed by concretes has been determined as a function of the mode of preparation, type

of aggregate employed, and porosity of the hardened mass. Wide vari- ations in both the rate and amount of water absorbed and returned were

observed, depending on the type of aggregate used. The available pore space or degree of consolidation in the aggregate has been found the

dominant factor in the selection of a proper aggregate.

Standard X-ray Diffraction Patterns. In close cooperation with the

Joint Committee for Chemical Analysis by X-ray Diffraction Methods, a continuing program is contributing standard X-ray diffraction patterns

for the powder data file, widely used in research and industry as a rapid means for identifying crystalline materials. During the past year 53

standard patterns were published, replacing 62 cards in the file and adding

7 new compounds. Further improvement of the quality of X -ray patterns

is now being sought, through elimination of scattering caused by general

radiation.

61
Crystal Structure of Inorganic Materials. Additional data have been

obtained on the crystal structure of inorganic materials. The correct formula and crystal structure of the triclinic form of magnesium pyroborate (Mg2B2 0.5 ) have been determined. The formula had been incorrectly reported as MgB2 4 and, independently, an incorrect structure had

been proposed. Three-dimensional data were obtained and analyzed by

structure factor and Fourier calculations; atomic parameters for the

boron in the pyroborate group were determined.

The crystal structure of BaHP04 has also been determined. The results are of interest because in spite of the presence of the heavy barium atom,

it was possible to locate the position of the H atoms approximately.

2.10. Building Technology

The building technology research program is concerned primarily with

determining the properties of building materials and structural elements.

It also includes pertinent research in establishing adequate standards of

measurement, new testing procedures, and performance standards. The

program is designed to provide the Government, the building industry,

and associated professions with fundamental technical data useful in the

preparation of building codes, standards, and engineering design criteria. In the fire protection field, emphasis was on the study of flammable

behavior of materials, and methods for measuring and characterizing

these properties. New techniques of standardization and test methods

are being developed for refrigeration and air-conditioning, particularly

for heat transmission into mechanically refrigerated enclosures. A study

of the surge-flow characteristic of horizontal drains in plumbing systems

has been initiated and the results should prove useful in establishing new code values. The lightning hazards of ungrounded metallic roofing,

siding, and reflective insulation are also under investigation.

Several long-term programs are still continuing. Among these are

studies of asphalt deterioration, of the resistance to shear and bending of

reinforced concrete beams containing new types of deformed reinforcing

bars, and of the effects of moisture in roof insulation. Design Stress in Reinforced Concrete. Since the first use of reinforced concrete there has been a constant trend toward higher design stresses. There is at present great interest in more efficient utilization of the new

types of deformed reinforcing bars which have been developed by the

steel industry. Adequate data on these bars have not been available to designers and code -writing organizations for determining proper design

stresses in reinforcing bars. To provide the needed data, a research

program has been conducted in cooperation with the American Iron and

Steel Institute to determine the effect of variations of the design stresses in the reinforcement on the flexural rigidity of beams, widths of cracks,

and resistance to diagonal tension. This information is intended to enable designers to estimate the load-carrying capacities and to ascertain

the manner of failure of concrete beams with reinforcement of the new

type.

62
Test apparatus used in designing air cleaners for helicopters. This investiga- tion resulted in a dry cloth cleaner (insert) which removes more than 99 percent of the dust from the carburetor intake of small aircraft. The device

is made of four layers of heavily napped acrylic fiber fleece and weighs about

3 pounds (p. 63).

Cracks in Reinforced Concrete. The width of tensile cracks that nor- mally develop in reinforced concrete beams can be reduced by using

well-designed deformed bars which develop high bond-strengths. Recent

work at the Bureau has demonstrated that the crack width at the surface of a deformed bar is significantly less than the width at the exterior surface of concrete. These results were observed on tensile bondspecimens which simulated a segment of the tensile portion of a reinforced concrete beam between two successive cracked sections. Air Cleaners for Helicopters. At the request of the Office of the Chief

of Transportation, Department of the Army, the Bureau has been

investigating methods for removing dust from the carburetor intake air of small military aircraft. Excessive wear of helicopter aircraft engines

operating in dusty areas indicates that none of the commercial air cleaners now in use meet all the requirements of filtering efficiency, dust holding

capacity, light weight, and easy serviceability.

Information was gathered on dust characteristics, such as particle

size distribution and maximum concentration in air, from airfields in different parts of the world. Dust samples were collected at various

locations around helicopters landing in or hovering over dusty areas. These samples were analyzed for dust concentration and particle-size distribution. The most promising development resulting from this study appeared

to be an air filter employing four layers of a heavy commercial napped

acrylic fiber. This filter meets all of the requirements, and a prototype

is being constructed for flight tests. Metering Heat Sink for Refrigerated Enclosures. Ice accumulation in the insulated space of a refrigerated trailer increases the heat transfer

rate through the walls and makes the enclosure more difficult to cool. To determine the effect of such ice accumulation, a 21-foot refrigerated semitrailer was operated for about three months in an ambient condition

63
of 110° F and 60 -percent relative humidity with an interior temperature

of 0° F. About 850 pounds of ice formed in the insulated space during

the first 72 days of this test, and the heat transfer rate increased about

8 percent. These observations were significant to the trucking industry

in two respects: First, the amount of ice formed in the insulated spaces was greater than would have been expected for static tests; and second,

the effect of the ice on the over-all heat transfer rate was less than ex- pected. An inspection of the insulated spaces of the vehicle after the

850 pounds of ice had accumulated showed that most of the ice was

formed in the roof and upper part of the sides of the trailer. The moisture

transfer mechanism which produces this formation is currently being

investigated.

A metering heat -sink apparatus was developed for this study. The

ability of this device to record promptly the change in over-all heat

transfer was of great interest to the trucking industry. Therefore, a Government-industry research project has been initiated to develop a

prototype metering heat sink apparatus and to establish test conditions

that can be adopted as a standard method for rating the heat transfer of

commercial refrigerated trailers. The laboratory test method will be

designed to produce ratings that can be used to predict actual in-use

performance, and road tests of several vehicles will be made to indicate

the validity of the laboratory rating.

Standards for Built-Up Roofs. Field studies of asphalt and coal-tar pitch built-up roofs were made in the Eastern, Western, and Mid-Western

States at the request of agencies of the Department of Defense. In all areas, numerous roofs of both types were found that were still in good

condition even after more than 20 years of service. A proposed purchase

specification was prepared for asphalt for use in the construction of mineral-surfaced, built-up roofs on slopes not greater than 1 inch per

foot, based largely on laboratory studies of 14 samples of asphalt submitted by roofing manufacturers.

Asphalt Roofing. Work has continued on the degradation of asphalt

during weathering. The most fruitful results during the past year have

been obtained by determining the effect of heat, light, and water, and

of heat alone, on component distribution during the exposure. Under study were the variables pertinent to the durability of three

asphalts in combination with 14 mineral additives. Among these variables were softening point of the asphalts, concentration of additives, thick- ness of coatings, particle size and shape, and degree of mixing. In

general, it was shown that the asphalt was the most important constituent

in a stabilized coating and that mineral additives with plate -like particle

j shapes were most effective in increasing durability.

Thermal Insulation with Reflective Surfaces. A study of the thermal

insulating value of air spaces with metallic reflective surfaces was completed. Earlier studies had indicated that the insulating value of these spaces with metallic surfaces was considerable, especially for applications

in which heat flow is downward.

64
Left: Equipment used to study the heat-insulating value of fibrous insulation

provided with reflective surfaces (p. 64). Known as a rotatable guarded hot

box, the assembly consists of two enclosures with an insulating test panel

interposed between them. Right: Structure used for lightning studies of ungrounded metal-roofed buildings (p. 62).

The earlier studies provided data for calculating values of reflectively

insulated air spaces. Insulation manufacturers then wanted to know

what improvement would result if fibrous types of insulation were pro- vided with reflective surfaces. In order to investigate this and allied problems, additional research was undertaken, with partial financial support by the Aluminum Company of America. In this investigation,

the additional insulating effect obtained when reflective surfaces are applied to fibrous insulations was measured experimentally. |An important

phase of the work was the comparison of the experimental values with

those calculated from the data provided earlier. Analyzer for Transient Heat Flow. A device that rapidly solves problems of transient heat flow in solids was completed. It is an electrical analog comparator based upon the similarity between the differential equations of electrical circuits and those of the time-variable flow of heat. The device is especially designed for convenient application to a variety

of problems of heat flow in materials and building constructions. Temperatures can be computed in various parts of the construction at different intervals following the exposure of one side of the structure to heat,

according to any chosen schedule. The analog comparator derives its speed from applying a voltage to the electrical network at a rate 4 million times that at which the cor- responding temperature would be applied to a structure in a fire resistance

test. The immediate use of the comparator will be to study the effects of a variety of design variables on temperature gradients in structures undergoing fire resistance tests.

65
Transient heat-flow analyzer designed to eliminate costly large-scale fire tests by analyzing data about thermal properties of materials (p. 65).

Mechanism of Fire Extinguishment. During initial phases of investi- gating the mechanisms by which dry chemical powders may be effective in controlling fires, it became evident that improved methods of measuring and controlling the characteristics of dispersed powders were required.

Three new methods have been devised in this program sponsored by the

Bureau of Ships. Two of these relate to the effectiveness of the chemicals

in suppressing fires while the third involves a new means for measuring

the dispersible characteristics of powders. Dispersibility is a function

of particle size and shape and of the tendency of particles to agglomerate,

all of which appear to affect the usefulness of a powder as an extinguishing

agent.

2.11. Applied Mathematics

The Bureau maintains a central applied mathematics facility which

conducts basic and applied research and renders advisory services in the

various mathematical fields that are germane to the Bureau's mission.

The services of the applied mathematics laboratories are available to other Government agencies as well as to the Bureau's technical staff. Equipped with high-speed digital computers and other modern computing aids, the facility has played a significant supporting role to the Bureau's research and development program.

During the past year, research emphasis was again placed on statistical and numerical analysis, and on mathematical physics. Special assistance was rendered to the Bureau staff and other Government groups in these

areas and in digital computation. In addition to consulting services in mathematical statistics and other branches of applied mathematics, ex- tensive attention was given to problem formulation and analysis to select and, if necessary, develop numerical methods suitable for the solution of

66
problems on automatic and nonautomatic computing machines. A wide

range of investigations and applications in engineering and the physical

sciences was covered. In addition, an increasing share of the mathematical program was devoted to applications of digital computers to problems of the type encountered in business management and operation,

sometimes referred to as "data processing" problems.

Again, as in previous years, the Bureau's applied mathematics program

was strengthened by the active interest and support of other Government agencies. Especially significant was the support of fundamental

and applied research in numerical analysis and mathematical physics by

the Office of Naval Research and the USAF Office of Scientific Research.

The National Science Foundation entrusted the Bureau with two important new undertakings in the field of mathematics: The compilation

of a Handbook of Mathematical Tables and a training program in numerical analysis for university staff members.

Numerical Analysis. Considerable effort was devoted to the planning

and delivery of a training program in numerical analysis for senior university staff, which was supported by the National Science Foundation.

The objective of this program was to provide intensive training in numerical analysis for university teachers who are experts in related mathematical fields and who aspire to teach and conduct research in numerical

analysis and to direct university computer centers. The present national

shortage of mathematicians competent in programing for high-speed

automatic digital computers and in carrying out the required numerical

analysis has motivated the presentation of a concentrated course in the

subject. Few university staffs have sufficient experience in the field to

qualify them to give appropriate instruction and direction of research.

Also, unless trained staffs are available, the high-speed computing equipment now being acquired by many institutions may be misused. The

present program aims to help fill these needs. In addition to its prime purpose, the training program has enabled the

Bureau staff to make a survey of the whole field of numerical analysis.

This has revealed some areas in which development is urgently needed.

As a result, the way has been opened to several new productive areas of

research. A considerable effort at every computing center has gone into the preparation of codes for the inversion of matrices which occur, for example,

in the solution of sets of linear equations. The question of what is the

best code, either generally, or for a particular class of matrices (wellconditioned, ill-conditioned, sparse, full) is difficult to answer theoretically.

To attack this problem empirically, a representative selection of 12 matpees was made and some of their characteristics were studied theoretically.

Then the selected matrices were inverted on high-speed computers using

what were felt to be the best available codes. In each case various measures of the errors committed were recorded. A comparative study

of these results, and similar ones which it is hoped will be produced b)

67
other computing centers to whom the matrices have been sent, should

give some indication of the most efficient inversion codes. With these

results as a guide, further investigation of these codes will then be

undertaken.

An intensive study was made of matrix theory—in particular, of in- equalities for the eigenvalues of matrices and the eigenvalues of sums of

noncommuting matrices. Matrices with nonnegative elements, which in- clude stochastic matrices (widely used in statistics), have been especially

studied.

Mathematical Tables. A comprehensive plan was drawn up for a handbook of mathematical tables. The need for such a handbook was originally discussed at the Conference of Mathematical Tables held at Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1954 under the auspices of the Massachusetts

Institute of Technology and the National Science Foundation. The

project is an outgrowth of the recommendation of the conference that

the NSF support the preparation of a handbook by the Bureau. Expected to contain about 1,000 pages, the handbook will cover the

entire field of special functions, giving formulas, graphs, and mathematical tables. It will contain 28 chapters on such topics as mathematical

and physical constants, powers and roots, elementary and higher trans- cendental functions, in addition to basic tables for combinatorial analysis,

numerical analysis, and statistics. Computations continued on other mathematical tables of widespread

interest and importance to the chemical, physical, and engineering

sciences. The tabulation of L-shell conversion coefficients was completed; and further editing was done on the tables of the exponential

integrals for complex arguments, modified Airy integral, and Sievert's

integral. Also, a table of Coulomb wave functions which covers the

range of interest in current nuclear problems was prepared.

Digital Computation. The Bureau's computation laboratory serves the

Bureau staff and other Federal agencies in the analysis and solution of

mathematical problems, especially those involving electronic computation. It also develops general-purpose techniques of programing and

coding for automatic computing machines and publishes mathematical

tables of general utility.

A major development in computational facilities was the installation of an IBM 704 computer in May, 1957. This machine, one of the most

modern commercially-available computers, is a powerful addition to the

available tools for solving highly complex scientific problems by numerical

methods.

Spectrum analysis computations were successfully programed on SEAC and established as a routine problem; and a start was made on

programing these computations for the IBM 704. Crystal structure

calculations were continued in the determination of so-called d-spacings.

New programs for crystallographic calculations on SEAC were used successfully and have been substituted for some phases of punched-card work.

68
Installation of a second high-speed digital computer facilitated the solving of scientific problems by numerical methods (p. 68).

Computations for other Bureau laboratories were also carried out on a continuing basis on SEAC and the IBM 704 in the following projects:

Evaluation of thermodynamic functions, thermometer calibrations, optical

ray tracing, analysis of noise measurements, stresses in a wall foundation,

calculation of transmission-delay times, ground-wave attenuation, stresses in a wall resting on a footing, crystal field effects for atoms, collision integrals used in transport theory, NBS payroll, nuclear diffusion calculations,

and basic ionospheric data.

Statistical Engineering. The principal function of the statistical engineering program is to advise the Bureau's scientific and technical personnel on the application of modern probability and statistical methods in physical-science and engineering experimentation. The aim is to assist the scientist conducting research, development, or testing programs so that

conclusions of desired scope and reliability may be attained at the lowest

possible cost under existing limitations of funds, equipment, materials, and

personnel. During the year extensive services were rendered, ranging

from short informal conferences to active collaboration with project

leaders for periods of several months.

To maintain and increase the effectiveness of this program, basic

research in probability theory and mathematical statistics was conducted.

During the past year, this research, geared to fit the particular needs of

NBS laboratories, fell into two categories: Planning (design) of experiments, and methods for analyzing data. 69
Research was continued on a family of experimental arrangements

known as fractional factorial designs. Factorial designs, complete or

fractional, are widely used for carrying out experiments that involve many

different factors. During the year, a catalog of fractional factorial designs

for experiments having all factors at two conditions was published as Applied Mathematics Series 48. A large number of designs were also constructed for experiments having all factors at three conditions.

A method of data analysis was developed to permit the use of a large

existing class of incomplete block designs for factorial experiments re- quiring several repetitions of each combination of factors. Other research , in the theory of experiment design consisted of a uniqueness proof concerning a class of incomplete block designs, and a set of necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of fractional factorial designs having certain

prescribed properties.

A large research project was initiated on the mathematical and statisti- cal aspects of the definition, measurement, and specification of the j reliability of components and assemblies, with particular attention to the

evaluation of the reliability of electronic components and systems.

Mathematical Physics. Most of the fields of applied mathematics which | are important in theoretical physics and the engineering sciences are

j covered in the Bureau's research program in mathematical physics.

Attention is given especially to fluid dynamics, elasticity, and electro- magnetic field theory. Also, the supporting mathematical methods used j as tools in these fields are studied in a general way.

In fluid dynamics, a study of two-phase flows, such as flow in a mixture I of steam and water, is under way. These problems occur in important j engineering and military applications, such as the design of steam jets

and of high-temperature cooling systems. Also, a study of airflow about

a ring-shaped wing in the presence of an axially symmetric body was | started and the flow of a compressible fluid past a wedge was analyzed. In elasticity, new results were obtained on the reaction of an elastic cone to forces acting on its surface. Vibrations of delta wings, used on

supersonic aircraft, were studied in detail; experience was gained with the

application of finite -difference methods to this problem. An earlier study

of the bending of corrugated diaphragms was broadened. Computations

were carried out on the geophysical problem of the static deformation of

the earth under gravitational forces. Research in the propagation of

electromagnetic waves resulted in new expressions for the fields of spherical, cylindrical, and plane waves diffracted on wedges, in terms of integral

representations.

In the study of supporting mathematical methods a table of Fourier

transforms of probability distribution functions was compiled and pre- ; pared for printing. Also, new graphical methods were developed for the

rapid solution of several types of ordinary differential equations.

70

I
2.12. Data Processing Systems

The data -processing systems program encompasses research, development, systems design and analysis, and technical advisory services in both digital and analog-computer technology. This program originated

during the postwar years as a result of requests from several Government

agencies for assistance in evaluating the potential application of auto- matic electronic digital computers to their problems and in procuring

suitable installations. These studies, from which systems specifications were established, eventually led to the Bureau's program of research and

development of improved computer components and circuitry, and subse- quently to the design and construction of SEAC, the Bureau's high-speed

digital computer. Since 1950, SEAC has established an impressive record

of solutions for both scientific and management problems for the Bureau

and other Government agencies.

Today, the data processing systems laboratory provides a comprehensive and readily available Government source of information in the new

and rapidly growing field of high-speed automatic data -processors and

control systems. An increasing number of other Government agencies are seeking the Bureau's technical advisory services on high-speed digital

techniques in new areas of potential application, such as massive paper- work operations, mechanizing of postal operations and patent searching,

control systems, and simulation, as well as in the solution of specific

technical problems.

SEAC. More than 7 years of operation, most of which has been on a round-the-clock schedule, have been completed. During this time,

SEAC has been used mainly as a computational facility for problems originating within the Bureau. At the end of the fiscal year, however, it was

changed to a research facility for data -processing applications and an

engineering tool for studies of components and systems. Preparation

for this new role has been under way during the past year. Circuitry for new input-output devices has been installed. New high-speed multichannel tape units, perforated paper tape readers, tape perforators, and an alphanumeric printer have been procured; and a scanning device for

pictorial input has been incorporated into the machine. Conversion

circuitry for use of an additional mercury memory unit of 512 words has

been completed. The procurement and installation of an input-output

staticizer have made possible direct communication of the SEAC with an

analog computer.

Components and Techniques. New components and techniques have

been under investigation for performing such basic operations as switching, storage, and input-output in digital data-processing systems. One

result has been a set of switching circuits that: (1) Uses the fastest switching transistor that is in quantity production; (2) is economical in the number of transistors used; and (3) tolerates almost the entire range

of variation of production-line transistors. The circuits use saturating

Eccles-Jordan flip-flops and single -transistor two-input and-gates. The)

are being tested in an experimental diode-capacitor memor) s\ stem.
Flow chart showing how interconnecting analog and digital computers to- gether with display equipment can be used to simulate complex systems in which human operators comprise serial elements in control loops (p. 74). A diode -capacitor memory that stores 256 words and operates on a

1 -microsecond cycle has been developed for use with the high-speed

arithmetic unit in a pilot data processor. Another diode -capacitor

memory that stores 64 10-bit words and operates on a 2 -microsecond

cycle has been designed with completely transistorized circuits. The

purpose of this memory is to gain operating and life experience on both

the transistors and the circuits. Work has also been initiated on the

evaporation of thin films of magnetic alloy for a coincident-current

magnetic memory.

Computer Circuit Packaging. Progress was made in the further development of a low -power vacuum tube computer package under sponsorship

of the Air Force Cambridge Research Center. A family of such units

has now been completed. These etched-circuit units are compatible with

each other and can be interconnected in many ways to perform complex

arithmetic and control functions. There are four types of packages:

Single amplifier tube with logical gates, two amplifier tubes with logical

gates, delay line, and indicator. The packages work at a basic repetition

rate of 1 megacycle per second in a 5 -phase system. This essentially

permits a 5 -megacycle per second processing rate. Except for testing in larger arrays, the engineering design has been completed. Production

runs of these packages will be incorporated eventually in the pilot data

processor being designed by the Bureau. 72
Magnetic Tape Devices for Input-Output, Because of the massive data

files required for a project on mechanization of patent search (page 71),

the present magnetic-tape facilities of SEAC must be expanded. To this end, 8 multichannel tape-transport units were purchased, tested, and

modified for improved performance. Completely transistorized circuits for reading and writing on tapes were designed and a prototype chassis

built and tested. Suitable circuitry for tape -unit selection is being de- signed to activate the 8 tape units simultaneously so that they can run

concurrently on sample data retrieval problems.

Pilot Electronic Data-Processor. The Bureau has been developing

design specifications for a large-scale pilot electronic data-processor.

This computer will carry out experimental investigations of a wide variety

of large-scale data -processing problems of particular importance to the

Government. Realistic test runs on large-scale data reduction, record- keeping, and information retrieval problems present stringent operating

requirements beyond the scope of presently available equipment. Because

of this wide range of application, the new data-processing system must

combine into a single installation a number of different characteristics not ordinarily associated with one machine, i. e., high-computation rate,

flexibility of communication with external devices, and a wide variety

of internal processing operations. The major functional units for the

data processor have now been fully blocked out and component quotas

established for most of the important portions of the system. Detailed

functional designs have been developed for all of the critical units and

procurement of high-priority components has begun.

Advanced Computer Systems. Many urgent computing and control problems call for faster and more powerful digital systems with much

higher problem-solving capabilities than currently available machines can

provide. To this end, the logic of processing operations common to both

mathematical calculation and data -processing manipulation has been

under study. A series of designs has been developed for a general-purpose

arithmetic and processing unit based on a modified version of a previously

designed high-speed binary adder. The new unit operates at essentially

the same speed as the earlier one, but its computing properties have been

extended. New classes of possible operations include: (1) Interchangeable decimal and binary arithmetic using the same equipment without

need for special conversion units, (2) fixed-point and floating-point

operations in both decimal and binary notation, (3) automatically

interchangeable word formats with different selected degrees of precision.

As a result, a number of design improvements have been incorporated into the plans of the NBS Pilot Electronic Data-Processor. These improvements should contribute substantially toward increasing its over-all

versatility and problem-solving power.

Transistor Magnetic-Core Circuitry. Transistor magnetic-core circuit r\ for switching applications offers such useful characteristics as compactness,

low power, reliability, and ruggedness. The basic parameters of these

73
Automatic scanning equipment which enables a digital computer to accept an image from a photograph or drawing into its memory (p. 75). The

computer can then either reproduce a facsimile copy from its memory or

display the image as modified by internal processing (insert).

components were studied for the Air Force Cambridge Research Center

to find the cores and transistors most suitable for electronic -computer

application. A single repeater stage and a recirculating flip-flop were

designed and studied for possible development of a computer module.

Control Systems and Simulation. Interconnecting analog and digital

computers together with display equipment permit simulation of complex

systems in which human operators comprise serial elements in control

loops. A model-simulation facility has been developed for optimizing

a complex man-machine system in a project for the Wright Air Development Center. This equipment will first be used to simulate the flight

of a manned supersonic aircraft with ground control and to provide

prompt computation of the data for quantitative analysis.

Schematic diagrams have been devised for three other special-purpose

analog systems—one for collision prediction and prevention in en route

control of air traffic, one for simulating jet engines for purposes of pre- production analysis, and one for warning against crane overturn. A function generator to handle two independent variables was designed

and constructed to interpolate between six function generators of a single variable. Its operating speed is about 100 cycles per second and linearity

of interpolation is approximately 1 percent.

Computations were carried out on the analog computer for a seismeter,

transistor diode -amplifier, betatron particle, supersonic aircraft, thermohydraulic test-unit, war game, missile trajectory, log-exponential equa74
tion, DATRAC, VANGUARD, and copper -cyanide equilibrium. The

feasibility of analog computations was investigated for problems dealing

with tristimulus color values, flame temperatures, space charge in a

tetrode, transistor flip-flop, eigenvalues of a 4X4 matrix, radar tracking,

insect population, electron optics, and magnetic field mapping.

Data Processing Applications. Studies were under way on dataprocessing problems common to various Government agencies, on the

development of special patent-search procedures, on mathematical and

linguistic techniques applicable to problems of information retrieval, on

a survey of automatic character-recognition devices, and on the design

and development of automatic scanning-equipment for direct input to SEAC of graphic and pictorial information.

Analysis and programing of a typical payroll and leave accounting

problem for a Government agency resulted in a successful application from

which extrapolation to payroll requirements in other agencies should

follow. Technical advice and assistance in problem analysis, formulation

of machine-performance requirements, and evaluation of system proposals were provided to the Treasury Department in connection with the

mechanization of the issue and redemption of savings bonds, and to the Government of Puerto Rico for a general business management application. In addition, SEAC was used to explore the feasibility of using

automatic data-processing equipment to check the eligibility reports of occupants of 400,000 units of low-rent housing under Public Housing

Administration jurisdiction.

Considerable progress was made in a cooperative program with the Patent Office for the mechanization of patent search operations. A

general-purpose SEAC routine was developed for the search of topological

structures, and applied to an element-by-element search of chemical

structures. This routine has been used for sample searches of steroid

patents. A comprehensive machine-search procedure was developed for general searches of patents pertaining to the composition of matter. New

techniques of mathematics, logic, and linguistics that may be applicable

to the solution of complex problems in information retrieval weie explored,

including the development of a machine program to investigate the syntactical structure of a variety of English sentences. Under the sponsorship of Rome Air Development Center, automatic

scanner input- and output-display equipment was designed and constructed to enable experimental simulation on SEAC of various character- recognition logics. This equipment makes it possible for a digital computer to accept automatically an image from a photograph or drawing

into its memory and to reproduce a facsimile copy from its memory or to display the image as modified by internal processing. SEAC programs

have been written to determine experimentally, various criteria for character and pattern recognition. These include routines to determine

and display the center of gravity of an input image and to determine the

boundaries of black areas.

450S59—58 6 75
Artist's conception of one section of a mechanized post office. The Bureau

is developing equipment and techniques to accelerate mail sorting (p. 76).

Processing First-Class Mail. Work was continued on the operations

analysis of mail handling in post offices with the specific aim of developing

automatic equipment and techniques for improving the present sorting

operation. Studies of letter characteristics and mail distribution have

been made in varying detail for several large cities. Several special

plans for address coding have been developed and tested prior to final evaluation by actual use of equipment designed to simulate an operator

coding station. Possibilities for computer analysis of coding plans to develop unique designation codes have been explored and programing is in process. In addition, sorting machines suitable for use in both large

and small post offices are under development.

2.15. Cryogenic Engineering

The primary objectives of the Cryogenic Engineering Laboratory are to obtain information needed for the practical applications of very low

temperatures and to assist Government and industry with problems in

this special field. To carry out these objectives, the Laboratory conducts research on

the properties of materials at low temperatures, cryogenic processes, and

cryogenic equipment. A large demand for advisory services to both

industry and other Government agencies has been created by the greatly

increasing interest in engineering applications at very low temperatures.

During the past year, an important part of the Laboratory's work

involved planning of large-scale hydrogen liquefaction and pumping

76
facilities. It was found that a dual pressure process for hydrogen liquefaction has many unique advantages when compared with other better-known

processes. These findings should have an important bearing on plant

design.

A successful but limited experimental investigation showed that

adhesives have wide potential utility in bonding or sealing structures

for low-temperature application where other techniques such as welding

are inapplicable. Investigations recently completed of the low-temperature characteristics of selected commercial metal-bonding adhesives

indicate that further research along basic lines may lead to substantial

improvements.

Operation of crystal frequency standards at low temperatures promises

to reduce drift of crystal characteristics with time (aging), and also permits more precise realization of the resonant frequency. The resulting

improvement in precision with which standard frequencies can be maintained is of importance in maintaining time standards and in certain

navigational systems. However, a critical problem is the maintaining

of an accurately controlled temperature environment for the crystal

oscillator. A laboratory cryostat has been built to evaluate methods of holding quartz crystal oscillators at accurately maintained low temperatures for long periods of time. In initial tests it has regulated within

about 10-4 degree at both 76° K and at ambient temperature.

Low-Temperature Properties of Materials. The thermal and electrical conductivities and the thermoelectric power of a series of commercial

aluminum alloys and a pure aluminum have been measured and are being

analyzed in the light of current theory. An earlier program on coppers

has been rounded out by additional measurements and is being published.

These data are of importance in both the applied and basic fields. They

will be valuable in the future design of cryogenic equipment and will shed light on the mechanisms for the transport of heat and electricity in metals. The wide variation found among the thermal conductivities of

commercially pure coppers has shown designers of cryogenic apparatus

the necessity for careful selection of this metal. rx

Tables of the integrals Jn(x)=J y

ndy/(ev —l)(l—e v), oi greater

range and accuracy than previously available, have been prepared by

automatic computer and are being published. These integrals find wide

use in interpreting and correlating transport and thermal properties of solids. A new apparatus for intercomparing resistance thermometers, thermocouples, vapor-pressure thermometers, and the helium-gas thermometer

has been built and put in service. It is also adaptable to measuring

electrical resistivity and thermoelectric power of metals. It has been

used to establish the calibrations of thermocouples using gold-cobalt

alloy. These thermocouples are finding a rapidly expanding field of* use

in both engineering and research as practical low-temperature thermometers of intermediate accuracy. 77
Measurements of the mechanical properties of metals and alloys are important in determining their suitability for low-temperature applications (p. 78).

Measurements of the electrical resistance of various pressed or soldered contacts between copper have shown that it is not difficult to make low-loss connections to heavy-duty conductors of this metal. Even at 20° K,

where the resistivity of copper can be extremely small, little difficulty was encountered. This finding is of interest to designers of powerful

electromagnets for operation at the temperature of liquid hydrogen.

Methods have been devised for bonding wire -resistance strain gages

to metals that are to be subjected to cryogenic temperatures. Calibrations of such gages have been made down to 4° K. The success of this technique permits considerable simplification of the instrumentation

customary in stress-strain measurements on structural metals for cryogenic

applications.

Measurements of the tensile and yield strengths, and of Young's

modulus for a number of nickel alloys and austenitic stainless steels have been completed down to 20° K. These alloys are widely used in low-temperature applications because of their maintenance of ductility

under a wide range of conditions. In a continuing project on thermal insulations some commercial plastic

foams, a large number of specially prepared foams, and some additional

evacuated powders were evaluated. The heat conductivities of these

materials are critically important in determining the thermal efficiencies of cryogenic devices which they insulate (for example, vessels for the

storage or transportation of liquid oxygen or hydrogen). An inexpensive

78
aluminum-perlite mixture has been found that is comparable to anv

evacuated powder used previously as insulation. Cryogenic Processes. Research on the separation of gases by lowtemperature techniques is continuing. Data obtained from recent experiments were applied to the design of a pilot column, 6 inches in diameter, for the separation of deuterium from normal hydrogen. Using

cryogenic distillation methods, studies have been made of the separation

of argon and helium from natural gas, and of all 6 isotopic modifications of hydrogen. In cooperation with the University of California Radiation Laboratory,

work is continuing on the design and construction of a 500-liter liquid

hydrogen bubble chamber. Plans have been completed and control methods evaluated for a hydrogen refrigerator having a capacity of 1,800 watts. In support of the continuing development of efficient ortho- para- hydrogen conversion in very large hydrogen liquefiers, studies were made

with both laboratory and plant-scale converters. It has been previously

established that hydrous ferric oxide granules constitute a highly efficient ortho-para-conversion catalyst. Data are now available covering the use

of this catalyst for both liquid and vapor phase conversion. These data

make possible the design of converters at all temperatures normally

encountered in hydrogen liquefaction cycles.

Because the design of large hydrogen gas -purification equipment appears

to require more data on low-temperature adsorption than are now available, a project has been undertaken to measure adsorption capacities

of various substances. In conjunction with this project, gas-analysis

techniques are being studied and an effort is being made to develop a very sensitive instrument for analyzing trace impurities in hydrogen gas. The Bureau continued to assist the Navy Department in its plan for the liquefaction and distribution of helium. Studies of suitable trans- portation equipment are now progressing.

Cryogenic Equipment. Experiments are being continued to obtain

information on the flow of boiling liquids. A comprehensive experimental

program on trichloromonofluoromethane was completed and the data are being correlated. A permanent pump-testing facility was completed, and extensive data were obtained with an aircraft fuel booster pump in liquid hydrogen and

liquid nitrogen. Because common methods for measuring net positive

suction head (NPSH) are not accurate enough with liquid hydrogen, a very

simple and direct method for measuring this quantity was devised. Also,

because the NPSH is strongly dependent on the ortho-para composition

of liquid hydrogen, a continuous ortho -para analyser with ten times the

sensitivity of previous instruments was designed and built. In a program to evaluate bearings at low temperature, it was shown

that ordinary ball bearings with steel retainers can run at 3,000 revolutions per minute with negligible load for as long as 650 hours submerged in 79
Cryogenic engineering investigation of heat insulation (p. 78). The lowtemperature insulating value of specially selected powders is measured by

noting the rate of gas evolution from calorimeters.

liquid nitrogen before the retainers fail. However, lives of more than 200

to 300 hours probably should not be expected. Ball bearings with plastic

retainers are now being systematically evaluated.

It has been demonstrated that from an economic point of view, liquid

oxygen transfer systems associated with the testing of rocket engines

should be insulated. Furthermore, if the initial cost of such systems can

be amortized over a period of about 2 years or more, high vacuum in- sulation should be considered.

A detailed analysis was made of the problems encountered in the

optimization of 50 -gallon air-transportable liquid-oxygen servicing containers. Experimental investigations are now under way. Two promising

techniques yet to be evaluated experimentally are: (1) The use of plastics as support members in liquefied gas containers, and (2) the use of the

powder in evacuated powder insulation to take shock and impact loads. Investigations to determine themaximum heat transfer to liquid hydrogen and liquid nitrogen flowing in narrow annular passages have been

completed. The results show that: (1) For given flow rates and passage

size, liquid nitrogen can dissipate more energy than liquid hydrogen; (2) for natural convection with both liquid hydrogen and liquid nitrogen, a

log-log plot of maximum energy that can be dissipated versus the cross- sectional area of the passage is a straight line; (3) the ability to transfer energy to the liquid can be increased by forcing the liquid through the

passage; (4) for a given flow rate, the change in the maximum power dis- sipation with changing passage size is not monotonic.

80
Left: Apparatus for evaluating catalysts for converting ortho- to parahydrogen (p. 79). Right: Container for liquid parahydrogen. Development of ortho-para

converters in hydrogen liquefiers has made such containers, without auxiliary

refrigerators, practical (p. 82). Gas Liquefaction. Approximately 150,000 liters of liquid parahydrogen,

850,000 liters of liquid nitrogen, and 800 liters of liquid helium were pro- duced during the year. Also, about 160,000 standard cubic feet of pure

hydrogen gas and 330,000 standard cubic feet of pure nitrogen gas were

supplied the Bureau and other agencies. Some of the largest liquidhydrogen runs ever made were conducted this year. Most of the liquid

helium was produced by a small Collins-type liquefier; however, some

liquid helium was produced in an experimental, liquid -hydrogen precooled

liquefier. The general practice of recovering boil-off hydrogen gas from

storage and liquid transfer netted approximately 700,000 cubic feet of

hydrogen gas for re-use in the hydrogen liquefaction runs. The development of the liquid-hydrogen precooled helium liquefier is progressing, but is still in the experimental stages. The latest version of

this type of helium liquefier, which will use both liquid nitrogen and

liquid hydrogen as precoolants, is under construction. This liquefier is designed to produce 15 liters of liquid helium per hour.

A modification to the hydrogen liquefier was made to accommodate the

newly developed iron hydroxide ortho-para catalyst, and also to increase

the output of the plant by converting to 95 -percent parahydrogen only

that hydrogen which was transferred to the storage Dewar. The modification involved changing to two Joule -Thomson valves and using a con- densing heat exchanger located in the liquid-hydrogen bath. This heat

exchanger also contains the iron hydroxide catalyst chamber. Practically

all of the liquid hydrogen produced during the year was made in this modified liquefier with very satisfactory results, including an increase of

approximately 9 percent in the production rate of 95-percent para- hydrogen. In addition to the production of liquid hydrogen, nitrogen, and helium, numerous experimental full-scale runs were made to obtain information

81
on the adsorption characteristics of silica gel purifiers. The runs were made under various operating conditions and differing nitrogen impurity

levels in the hydrogen gas. This work is still in progress and a large

amount of valuable data is being obtained. Also, experimental runs are

in progress to evaluate the feasibility of using vapor phase ortho-para

converters at liquid nitrogen temperature in large-scale hydrogen liquefiers. Results thus far indicate that a parahydrogen level of 50 to 51 per- cent can be obtained with an iron hydroxide catalyst maintained at 71° K in the hydrogen purifier nitrogen bath. In effect, this arrangement

has increased the output of the hydrogen liquefier by approximately 7 percent.

2.14. Radio Propagation

The Central Radio Propagation Laboratory has primary responsibility

within the Nation for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating radio propagation data and information of value to such diversified fields as air and

sea navigation, frequency allocation, and worldwide communications.

To carry out this responsibility, the Laboratory conducts research on the

fundamental nature of radio waves, the basic theories of radio-wave propagation, and the characteristics of radio energy under widely varying conditions. A network of field stations is operated from the Arctic to the

tropics, and data are exchanged with other laboratories throughout the

world. Within the Central Radio Propagation Laboratory are two divisions, Radio Propagation Physics and Radio Propagation Engineering.

Radio Propagation Physics

The radio propagation physics program is concerned with radio wave

propagation over long distances by means of the ionized regions of the

earth's outer atmosphere. The program includes: (1) Basic research on

upper-atmosphere physics, on the formation and disturbances of the

ionosphere, and on the interaction of radio waves with the ionization; (2) study of the characteristics of specific propagation mechanisms such as ionospheric reflection, ionospheric scattering, and guided-mode propagation; and (3) regular public service as in the prediction of long-term

changes in useful frequencies for communication, in the warning of short- term disturbances to communication, and in the collection and distri- bution of ionospheric and solar data on a national and international basis. Participation in the International Geophysical Year. A large part of

the Bureau's activities in radio-propagation physics during the past

year has been devoted to the International Geophysical Year of 1957-58.

From observation stations widely scattered over the globe, the Bureau

has begun collecting data on many phases of upper-atmospheric physics

and radio-propagation physics. Research is under way on properties of

the ionosphere, forward-scatter propagation, various kinds of radio noise,

airglow, and related phenomena.

The preparatory work for establishing special communication circuits for IGY-propagation research has been completed. In one experiment,

82
Experimental setup for measuring variations in radio wave propagation

over a long air path (p. 82).

a study is being made of the scattering of radio waves from the lower

portion of the E-region in the vicinity of the magnetic equator. At the same time, a search for possible scattering from the lower F-region is being carried out. This work includes establishing stations in Chile,

northern Peru, southern Peru, and southern Ecuador, and cooperatively

working with stations operated by other countries in central Peru,

Argentina, and Brazil. Four mobile stations have been specially equipped

for this program, and at the end of the year were undergoing field tests preparatory to shipping to South America.

The Bureau's radio forecasting center at Fort Belvoir, Va., was selected

as the IGY World Warning Agency. This agency makes the final decisions designating the IGY Alerts and Special World Intervals which

are flashed in a few hours to IGY stations throughout the world. One

aspect of this program has been the assembling of the most extensive

communications network ever used for scientific purposes. With the

activation of the Agency, the telegraphic reporting of significant solar, ionospheric, and related data was increased tenfold so that all out- standing phenomena of significance for geophysical experiments can now

be made known in less than 24 hours. The short-term radio propagation

forecasts, an NBS service of many years, have benefited greatly from these improved arrangements.

Another major activity for the IGY is an experiment to determine the

comparative behavior of "sporadic ionization in the Eastern and

Western Hemispheres. Analyses of existing data make it appear that

ionization is much more intense in the Far East than in the AXcsicrn

Hemisphere. Circuits are being established in the Philippines and

Okinawa, in the Panama Canal Zone and Cuba, and in the central United States to obtain more information on this phenomena.

83
Experimental radio paths being installed in South America to study radio

scattering from the ionosphere during the International Geophysical Year

(p. 83). Design and construction of an airglow telescopic photometer for use throughout the Western Hemisphere during the IGY was completed,

and an additional airglow observatory was established. Preliminary

work was carried out on one of the World Data Centers for ionospheric

physics and for airglow. This Center will serve as a permanent repository

and a distribution proof for data from all countries in these disciplines. In carrying out a program for the vertical sounding of ionospheric

characteristics, equipment was provided for a number of new stations

established by the United States and for most of the new ones established

by South American countries. Personnel were located and trained for vertical incidence stations on the Antarctic continent, and assistance was given to several South American countries in training their personnel

and establishing new stations. In cooperation with the Barker and

Williamson Company, four units of the new NBS Model C-4 ionosphere

recorder were rapidly assembled and tested for early shipment to IGY

stations in the Antarctic. Later, an additional 10 units were supplied

to other IGY stations. Origin of Ionospheric Fading. For the first time, an unambiguous

explanation was obtained of the fading observed in radio-wave pulses

reflected at vertical incidence from the F2 layer of the ionosphere. It had not been known previously whether this fading originates mainly

near the level of reflection or at some lower level. A "fading origin"

experiment showed that the scattering which introduced fading in the

case of reflection from the F2 layer nearly always took place well below

the level of reflection. Under some circumstances an elaboration of this experiment permits the actual height of the scattering to be determined.

84
Nighttime Ionospheric Reflections. By means of a 3,400-foot antenna

strung across a mountain canyon, for the first time concurrent recordings were made of reflections of the ionosphere with sweep frequencies covering

the entire range from 50 kilocycles per second to 25 megacycles per

second. Analysis of these records is expected to give a better understanding of reflections from the nighttime E'-region of the ionosphere.

Radio Noise from Jupiter. Radio noise emitted by the planet Jupiter was recorded at 18 and 20 Mc. The analyzed data give strong evidence

that Jupiter possesses an ionosphere with a critical frequency in the

neighborhood of 15 Mc. Jupiter's ionosphere appears to change with

the solar sunspot cycle in much the same way as the ionosphere of the

earth. Statistical analysis of the occurrence of the noise not only made

possible a precise determination of the rotation period of the planet but

also demonstrated that there is a rigid core beneath the optically opaque

atmosphere from which the noise originates.

Oscillations in the Earth's Atmosphere. Worldwide oscillations of the earth's atmosphere and the current system resulting from the interaction

of the ionized upper atmosphere with the earth's magnetic field were under study. A theory of forced oscillations extended to include frie- tional losses provided an explanation of the observed quarter-diurnal pressure variation in terms of self-coupling of the large semidiurnal

component.

Radio Propagation Engineering

The objective of the work in radio propagation engineering is the more

efficient use of the radiofrequency spectrum. This objective can be

attained only to the degree that the nature of radio-wave propagation

and the characteristics and the effects of radio noise and interference upon

various signals are understood both qualitatively and quantitatively.

The quantitative understanding of radio-wave propagation and the characteristics of radio noise requires the collection of statistical samples of

data appropriate for the description of observed phenomena, and the

development of adequate methods for the prediction from these samples

of the statistical characteristics of the various radio -wave propagation

and noise variables required in engineering applications. The work of the

division is directed toward a basic understanding of radio-wave propagation, radio noise, and signal-to-noise problems in general.

Low-Frequency Propagation. Progress was made in developing dependable methods for calculating both steady -state and transient propagation

in the range of frequencies from about 100 kc to less than 10 kc. These

results have application to communication and navigation systems.

Worldwide Radio Systems Engineering. The Department of Defense

requires reliable radio communication systems operating in many parts

of the world. In many of these systems, it is planned to use tropospheric

scatter propagation. For these reasons, the Bureau has been studying the

characteristics of tropospheric scatter propagation on a worldwide basis. These studies have involved determinations of the effects of climate and

terrain on radio-propagation conditions, and the preparation of maps of

85
Control room of the IGY World Warning Agency at the NBS radio forecasting

center, Fort Belvoir, Va. This station serves as the focal point of a worldwide communications network for the International Geophysical Year

(p. 83). the radio climate to be expected in various parts of the world. The re- quirements of transmitter power, radiofrequency, antenna size, and communication-channel capabilities are being evaluated.

Tropospheric Forward Scatter Theory. The formula for estimating the

transmission loss expected on a tropospheric forward scatter circuit has

been improved in several respects. Allowance has been made for obstacle

gain. A more accurate allowance has been made for the surface refractivity. The calculation has been extended for communications over

greater distances and to higher terminal antennas such as those on air- planes. Moreover, the expected distribution of transmission loss versus percent time can now be calculated for various periods during particular

seasons, times of day, or for an entire year. As a result, the formula is now sufficiently accurate so that path-loss tests are generally no longer

required prior to installation of a forward scatter system.

Bending of Radio Waves. A quantitative understanding of the bending

of radio waves by the atmosphere is important to the successful use of

radar height -finding methods, tropospheric forward-scatter predictions,

and radio-guidance systems. During the past year, it has been shown

that the average bending can be quite accurately predicted when only

the surface refractivity is known. These values of the surface refractivity are determined from surface weather observations.

Radio Studies of Atmospheric Turbulence. The Air Force, in its missile- navigation and guidance program, has been interested in determining the potential accuracy of navigation and guidance systems as limited by the

effects of the atmosphere. For many years the Bureau has conducted

research into the uses and limitations of radio -propagation techniques as applied to these systems. During the past year, experimental studies were made of the factors that influence the velocity of radio propagation on

line -of-sight transmission paths. Techniques to measure variations in the

86
€

Radio noise, emitted by sources on Jupiter and received on the earth, yields

information about Jupiter's physical characteristics (p. 85). propagation velocity at 1,000 to 10,000 Mc have been developed for this purpose. A part of this study was conducted on the Island of Maui,

Territory of Hawaii, where turbulence is very pronounced and various

conditions of cloud formations, relative humidity, and wind velocity exist. Analyses of these data have provided information concerning the extent

to which radio propagation is affected by atmospheric turbulence. Results of these studies have led to an estimated immediate saving to the

Government of approximately $4,000,000 in application to radio systems.

The same general techniques are expected to lead to the development of a considerably more accurate distance -measuring system than presently

available in geodetics and seismology.

Tacan Investigation. The Air Navigation Development Board re- quested the Bureau to evaluate the propagation conditions which deter- mine the coverage and interference characteristic of a new system of air navigation, called Tacan, and to make recommendations for its use in the common system of air navigation. Charts have been prepared showing

the coverage of a Tacan facility under various conditions, the required

distance separation between ground Tacan facilities operated on co- channel and adjacent channel assignments, and the number of channels

required for a specific plan of facility locations and area coverage. This

study considered Tacan equipment currently being produced and improved versions which may be available within the next 10 years. Bench

tests of current Tacan equipment indicated the system's performance

where adjacent channel interference is a problem was not as good as

originally anticipated. These results pointed the way to improvements

in equipment so that sufficient channels might be available for nations i<lc coverage. 87
2.15. Radio Standards

The NBS Radio Standards Laboratory is endeavoring to adapt its program to the ever-growing need for new and improved electronic

measurement standards. This program consists mainly of basic research

and development on national standards for fundamental electrical quantities, measurement techniques, and properties of materials from audiofrequencies through the highest attainable microwave frequencies. These

activities support a calibration service and radio broadcasts of the United

States primary standard of frequency and time intervals. Of major significance during the year was the work on atomic frequency

standards. Two types of such atomic standards were put into operation

for the first time at the NBS Boulder Laboratories. Another area

receiving emphasis was the planning and construction of equipment for the new Electronic Calibration Center now under construction.

Attenuation. Radiofrequency attenuators are widely used by industry

and the armed services in many types of electronic -measuring instruments

and equipment such as signal generators, receivers, field-strength meters,

power meters, and test sets. To insure reliable operation of this equipment, the attenuators must be calibrated against accurate standards.

The degree of calibration accuracy required has steadily increased until

it is now, in general, second only to that of frequency determinations.

To keep pace with these requirements, theoretical and experimental

work was continued on the self-calibrating, high-accuracy, high-sensitivity, insertion-ratio measuring system. This work showed the need

for developing ultra -stable components in order to utilize the full accuracy

and sensitivity capabilities of the system. A description of the system

Avas prepared for publication.

Further work was also done on the design and construction of a twochannel attenuation measuring system for use in the new Electronic

Calibration Center. Theoretical analyses and experimental investigations were made of the interaction effect in the launching and receiving

components of waveguide -below-cutoff attenuators. A stable -frequency

and essentially constant-current rf power source was constructed.

At microwave frequencies, crystal-mixer linearity in the calibration

systems was evaluated. A method of calibration by rf substitution was

used to extend the calibration range to 73 db with very little loss of accuracy. Also set up was an improved IF substitution system for coaxial attenuation measurements.

Field-Strength, Noise, and Interference. Standards and uniform measurements of these quantities are necessary to the Government and industry

in evaluating the performance, efficiency, and signal coverage of radio

communication systems of all types, including AM, FM, and TV broadcasting.

Development, design, and fabrication were essentially completed on

35 special low-noise crystal-controlled receiver converters for 100-, 200-,

88
One of three rf voltmeter consoles developed to calibrate all types of voltmeters. Unknown voltmeters are calibrated with standard attenuator-thermoelement voltmeters (insert) having reproducibilities of 1 percent or better over a period of 1 year or longer (p. 92). and 300-Mc use in the Calibration Center; and similar work on 6 converters for 400 and 500 Mc was well advanced.

Other work in this field included: Drawing up of specifications for balancing transformers (range, 1 to 1,000 Mc) and testing samples for use in improving field-strength calibration methods and in balancedvoltage standardization; preliminary study of the feasibility of microwave

antenna calibrations; extension of standard microwave noise measure- ments to new frequencies in the X- and S-bands; and initiation of a thor- ough survey of the literature on the standardization of radio interference. Frequency. Accurate frequency and time standards are of great

importance to scientific research laboratories, Government, and industry.

Research at the Bureau has reduced variations in such standards by a

factor of 10 or more per decade during the last 30 years. As a result,

frequencies accurate to 1 part in 100 million and constant to better than

1 part in 1 billion are now available; but even greater accuracy and stabil- ity are expected to be needed by science and industry before long.

Research on the stability of quartz resonators at low temperature has

therefore been intensified. Theoretical considerations and preliminary

measurements indicate that a substantial reduction in frequency aging

and frequency -temperature coefficient may be obtained when the temperature of the crystal is reduced. Also, an enhanced ^-factor may result.

89
To obtain more reliable temperature control, investigations were con- tinued on the temperature stability of the earth's crust. Quartz reso- nators were operated at a 50-foot depth in 4 wells specially sunk for the

purpose. To improve frequency-measuring apparatus, research was

started on characteristics of frequency multipliers and several improved

units were developed. In addition, work was almost completed on an

electronic device for using standard time pulses to obtain a gating period

for electronic -frequency counters. This device is expected to permit

indirect frequency comparisons of ¥WV with the primary standard to be made more accurately, quickly, and conveniently. In the microwave frequency range, standards derived from the quartzcrystal primary standard were improved and extended by the use of

additional steps in the multiplier chain. With the help of an improved

harmonic generator, wavemeters at the higher microwave frequencies can now be calibrated with much less difficulty.

Intensive research on atomic-frequency standards and clocks has been

continued. Such standards are believed to be unchanging and therefore may eventually be adopted in preference to the standard of frequency now based on astronomical time observations. The almost instantaneous

accessibility of the atomic standard is greatly to be preferred to the long

delays necessary in evaluating astronomical data. Possible applications

of such standards are great in both number and scientific importance.

During the last year, both a cesium-beam spectrometer and an ammonia

beam spectrometer (Maser) were put into operation with a precision of 1 part in 1 billion. Impedance. The use of resistors, capacitors, inductors, vacuum tubes,

transistors, transmission lines, antennas, crystals, directional couplers,

and other rf-impedance components has grown to such an extent that the

manufacture of these components is now one of this country's major in- dustries. This fact, coupled with the research carried on in the development of instruments and materials for use at these frequencies, has made

radiofrequency impedance standards of major importance to the national

welfare. In addition, a knowledge of impedance or reflection coefficients,

including a recognition of matched conditions in a transmission system,

is essential to accurate measurement of attenuation, power, voltage,

field -strength, and other quantities.

During the past year, several experimental bridges, designed to improve the efficiency of high-frequency impedance calibration services, were constructed. The calibration of new working standards was continued. Methods were developed for calibrating crystal-measuring

equipment and very low impedances.

At microwave frequencies, a paper was prepared on the new type of

adjustable sliding termination for rectangular waveguides. Additional

work was done to reduce the theoretical solution of the half-round obstacle in a rectangular waveguide to a form suitable for calculation. Further refinements of the coaxial resonance line and associated instru- 90
A ferrite rod mounted in a cylindrical cavity is placed between the poles of an electromagnet. The microwave electrical constants of ferrites are accurately measured with this equipment (p. 92). mentation resulted in the first voltage-standing-wave-ratio (VS\Y R)

calibration; and preliminary experiments on a new VSWR measurement

technique give promise of a significant improvement in accuracy. Power. Power is one of the basic electrical quantities for which re- liable standards are needed in all frequency ranges. Accurate rf power

measurements based on these standards are in wide use by commercial

and military groups for both routine operations and special research. Such measurements serve, among other things, to determine the output,

range, and proper functioning of oscillators, radar equipment, signal

generators, and other devices, and of communication networks such as microwave-relay and scatter-propagation systems.

Further progress was made in developing the electron-beam technique,

a particularly promising solution to the problem of accurately measuring

microwave high-power and peak-power in a pulsed system. The main

source of difficulty in the way of repeatability in the single-beam tube was located and steps have been taken towards elimination of the diffi- culty. Also, construction of a new four-beam tube was nearly completed. In regard to other microwave techniques, improvements in the microcalorimeter for the calibration of bolometer mounts have increased its accuracy to 1 percent or better; and experimental tests showed thai a thermistor mount is useful for measurements over a much wider range of power levels than the one for which it was calibrated. The self-balancing

d-c bolometer bridge was modified to permit operation with thermistors

as well as barretters. 450859^58 7 <>l
From the high-frequency region, the range of the low-power thermistor

bridge was extended down to 100 kc, and construction was completed on

a static (conduction) calorimeter and on a power measuring bridge for the range, 0.1 to 100 mw. Final tests were made on the maximum ac- curacy attainable with the liquid-flow calorimeter which is to be used for frequencies from to 2,500 Mc.

Voltage. High-frequency voltage standards are needed by industry

and scientific organizations for all types of voltmeters, voltage sources and generators, modulation meters, wave analyzers, and other electronic equipment.

During the year, much work was done on the development and construction of rf voltmeter calibration consoles for the Calibration Center. One console, housing secondary standards for 5, 10, 30, and 100 Mc for voltages between 0.2 and 300 volts, was almost completed and partially

tested with very satisfactory results. In addition, considerable work

was done on the consoles covering frequencies from 30 to 100 kc and from

300 to 700 Mc.

Research and development continued on attenuator-thermoelement

(AT) voltmeters. The behavior of capacitive attenuators using elec- trodes with several different configurations was studied in detail and an

expression derived for the capacitance of a conical condenser. The data were also used in developing two models of the AT voltmeter which had

much greater voltage ranges, and with improved stability, reproducibility, and ease of operation.

Development also continued on balanced and unbalanced types of

rf micropotentiometers. Improvements were made in fabrication

techniques.

Dielectric Measurements. The program in dielectric measurements

aims to develop and improve standards, equipment, and techniques for measuring the dielectric properties of solids, liquids, and gases over a frequency range extending from low-radiofrequencies to above 100,000

Mc. Materials standardized under this program include insulators,

memory materials, capacitor and cable dielectrics, magnetic materials, vacuum tube ceramics, printed circuit boards, and many others of importance to the country's industry. Studies of the dependence of

dielectric properties on temperature and other factors also contribute

to basic solid-state physics. In the past year, research was begun on the working out of convenient

calculation schemes and tables for computing the dielectric constant of rods of sample materials from the measured effects produced when they

are inserted into resonant cavities of several types. Some of these were brought to a useful state of completion; others have given promising

preliminary results. Also, a 30-Mc IF pound stabilized oscillator was

constructed and put into use. Magnetic Materials. Magnetic materials are used in nearly every

type of electronic system developed for the commercial market as well

92
Left: Radiofrequency power-measuring bridge provides hundredfold in- crease in accuracy over previous instruments of this kind (p. 91). Right: A dielectric lens for use in microwave measurements of the velocity of light is fitted to a horn radiator (p. 94). as for military equipment. New and better measuring equipment,

techniques, and standards are in constant demand for evaluating new

materials as well as for quality control of manufactured materials in order to improve the reliability of electronic equipment. Also, a basic

study of the properties and applications of magnetic materials is needed

for the synthesis of new materials and to help solve fundamental problems in the rapidly expanding field of solid-state electronics. During the past year, more exact operating equations were developed

for the rf permeameter, a permeameter and associated equipment for measuring parallel reversible permeability were placed in operation,

high-current equipment for measuring high-power rf loss was designed

and constructed, a half-wave variable -length cavity for initial permeability measurements in the 100- to 300-Mc range was constructed, another

cavity for the 300- to 6000-Mc range was designed and partially constructed, an electromagnet for use in investigating properties of magnetic

materials was placed in operation; and exact solutions were developed

for microwave cylindrical cavity resonators containing a gyromagnetic

(magnetized ferrite) sample.

Microwave Spectroscopy of Gases. Work continued on the analysis of

data for a revised edition of the circular on molecular microwave spectra

tables. Besides providing a compendium of precise spectroscopic and

molecular data useful in many branches of science and industry, these

tables will make available many secondary and tertiary frequenc)

standards. Analysis of the dielectric and absorption data permits

reliable estimates to be made of these characteristics for materials and a1 temperatures and pressures for which data are not available. Analysis of most of the existing data on microwave spectra of Tree atoms

and molecules has been completed. Most of the electronic computingmachine operations have been programed for preparing the tables ol data

for publication. Machines are being used for sorting and printing and

93
for computing intensities in order to reduce errors in the thousands of computations and transcriptions.

Millimeter Waves. Because of the new phenomena associated with

millimeter and submillimeter waves, and their potential applications to

practical devices, these extremely short waves have been the object of

intensive study by both scientists and engineers. Standards for their measurement are therefore expected to be in early demand. To develop

such standards, new paths will have to be explored since conventional

microwave techniques become less efficient or fail completely as the

wavelength diminishes. For example, the use of quasi-optical techniques

at millimeter wavelengths has proved fruitful in wavelength and dielectric measurement. In addition, the shorter microwaves have unique application to standards and measurement in other fundamental areas such as frequency, length, the velocity of light, and the nature of matter. Thus far, the two main investigations have been: (1) The examination

in an absorption spectrometer of a line of oxygen at 5 mm to evaluate

its suitability as a possible atomic frequency standard and (2) development of an interferometer at 6 mm for application to measurement of the

velocity of light, metrology, and dielectrometry.

The first investigation showed that a frequency control to 6 parts in 1010 or better could be obtained. The second investigation is at the stage

of careful construction of a precision interferometer after satisfactory

experience was gained on a pilot model. An exact theory was developed

to describe the diffraction correction to the apparent wavelength indi- cated by the interferometer.

2.16. Basic Instrumentation

The past year was the seventh during which the Bureau has been

engaged in a program of research and development in basic instrumentation supported cooperatively by the Office of Naval Research, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the Atomic Energy Commission, and

the National Bureau of Standards. As in previous years, the program

consisted of three parts: (1) Basic instrumentation research and development, (2) critical surveys of specific areas of instrumentation, and (3) instrumentation reference and consultation. In carrying out this pro- gram, the central office coordinates the specialized knowledge and skill of Bureau staff members in a wide range of fields to focus on the solution of instrumentation problems.

This office also endeavors to encourage and stimulate research and

development throughout the nation on measurement devices and tech- niques. To fulfill its responsibility as technical consultant to Government and industry on instrumentation, it maintains active familiarity

with technical progress in other laboratories and it cooperates with technical societies in promoting instrumentation progress. Moveover, it cooperates with other Government agencies in arranging conferences

and symposia on subjects of special interest or of rapidly developing

94
importance in the field of instrumentation. These activities often help

to define areas of instrumentation in which research and development

work needs to be done, either at the Bureau or elsewhere. The principal emphasis, throughout the program, is on the fundamentals of measurement and control and on development of the science of instrumentation. Preference is shown to those research projects that seem likely to have broad utility in measurement or to extend significantly

the range, reliability, or sensitivity of some general class of instruments.

Also given primary consideration are theoretical and experimental studies

of problems common to many instruments—drift, lag, and unsteadiness,

for example—or of the limits of performance inherent in various types of instruments.

One extensive group of problems relates to the handling of signals.

Because the output of any sensing element is a signal, such problems can be

profitably studied on a very general basis, without regard to particular

types of measurement. Areas in which such general studies are encour- aged include amplification, loss of information in transmission, analog-todigital conversion, indication or display, recording, separation of measure- ment signals from extraneous signals or noise, automatic data correction or reduction, automatic computation, and automatic control. The research and development activities of the program have been

carried out largely through assignment of instrumentation research projects to those NBS laboratories that are best qualified in the fields of

science contributing in major part to the problem. The central facility also includes a small laboratory staff for investigation of special problems

and a group of specialists in instrumentation literature who are developing and operating a reference and consultation center to aid in the solu- tion of instrumentation problems.

Projects carried on in the basic instrumentation laboratory itself are generally confined to those that call for exploratory studies by a versatile group specializing in instrumentation. Representative examples of these

projects are discussed below. Instrument Reference Service. Both the newness of the field of instru- mentation and its rapid growth have posed problems for those scientists in Government and industry who need to have convenient, rapid, and

thorough access to instrument information. Two major obstacles stand

in their way. The first is the inadequate coverage of instrumentation

provided by existing abstracting and indexing services whose main interest

is in the information obtained by use of the instrument. The second is the lack of efficient classification systems for instrumentation. The

Bureau has therefore established an instrument reference center whose

objective is to improve accessibility of instrument information in four ways: (1) by developing improved systems for storage and retrieval of information; (2) by fostering developments elsewhere that will make

instrument information more readily available; (3) by surveying specific

developments in instrumentation; and (4) by providing consult a lion services in instrumentation.

95
Indexing System. The indexing system described in previous reports is j in routine operation. Improved card punches have been constructed and

are being operated to place a large accumulation of classified and coded

instrumentation literature in the special card system. Improved plastic

cards have been procured which permit greater reliability and accuracy of

punching and greater durability of the valuable file. A large number of

consultation inquiries from Government agencies and their contractors have been handled.

Improved Indexing Systems. A number of methods and techniques for improving methods of storing and searching for information generally, and

for instrumentation information in particular, have been investigated.

One of these is a technique for eliminating one of the steps of the existing

system, and for providing a rapid means for modifying a search in the

light of material turned up by the search. Surveys. Another important service of the basic instrumentation pro- gram is the preparation of critical surveys of various areas of instrumentation. These are conducted to provide systematic analyses of available

methods and devices in terms of their performance and characteristics. While such surveys are of general usefulness, they should be particularly j valuable to those charged with planning or conducting research and j development on the devices treated or in areas where these devices will be needed. In the past year a survey of thickness measurement has been prepared

j for publication as an NBS Circular. A draft of the second part of a survey | of recording methods and instruments has been completed. Near com- j pletion is a survey of instrumentation for measuring true airspeed and

free -air temperature.

Exploratory Investigations. Studies of this class carried on in the

basic-instrumentation laboratory included the following: Investigation of

the sensitivity to pressure of the resonant frequency of a diaphragm as a means of sensing pressure directly in terms of frequency; investigation of

the general characteristics of the Cartesian diver as a measurement princi- j pie; investigation of photoconductivity as a frictionless contact in potenti- i ometer-type displacement transducers; and investigation of the reproducibility of electrical contacts as displacement detectors. 3. Calibration, Testing, and Standard Samples

Bureau activities in the fields of calibration, testing, and standard sampies are an outgrowth of its custody of the national standards of measure- | ment. However, the demands of modern industry and science for I standards, measurement techniques, and precise testing and calibration j have outdistanced the Bureau's ability to provide direct services. The | Bureau has thus fostered and encouraged the establishment by private

enterprise of standardizing laboratories competent at a level of accuracy

intermediate between NBS and that of their customers. Whenever prac- !

i 96 I

i
tical, the Bureau has provided standard samples lo enable individual

scientists to maintain their own standards.

The policy of the Bureau to withdraw from those special areas of cali- bration and testing which are served adequately by such laboratories was

re-emphasized by the Director, speaking on June 11, 1957, at the dedication of the International Telephone and Telegraph Standards Laboratory.

The increased availability of private facilities for secondary standardization will enable the Bureau to fulfill its primary functions, among which

are the calibration of master instruments and the establishment of new

and improved methods of measurement. By working with professional

scientific organizations, with specialized standardizing laboratories, and

with groups involved in the science of measurement, the Bureau can serve more effectively in spreading the benefit of standards and measurement

throughout the economy.

3.1. Assistance in Establishing Standards Laboratories

The demand for increased accuracy by industry has resulted in the

establishment of standardizing laboratories by a number of large manufacturing companies and by military organizations. In a number of cases the Bureau was called on for aid in designing laboratories and in selecting

equipment. Several senior members of domestic research organizations,

as well as visitors from foreign countries, consulted with the Bureau staff in order to acquire such detailed information.

To assist in the establishment of electrical standards laboratories, the

Bureau issued a circular suggesting techniques and principles that experi- ence has shown to be useful in such operations. Although it covers explicitly only the field of electrical measurements, many of the principles

involved are equally applicable in other kinds of measurement. For the

sake of clarity, the measuring instruments and apparatus are divided into

five categories; they are: Reference standards, working standards, comparison equipment, interlaboratory standards, and shop instruments and

measuring apparatus. The new publication entitled Suggested Practices for Electrical Standardizing Laboratories, National Bureau of Standards

Circular 578, by Francis B. Silsbee, 9 pages (15 cents), is available at the

Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C.

3.2. New Calibration Facilities and Equipment

To meet the needs of science, industry, and the Government, the Bureau

is constantly developing new calibration facilities which contribute to higher accuracy and new and improved standards. These range from small

items of laboratory equipment to installations the size of the now ( Calibra- tion Center at Boulder.

Electronic Calibration Center. At the end of the year, the new 2,700 square foot wing that will house the $2,000,000 Calibration Center of I lie Boulder Laboratories was practically completed. New and improved

97
The new 2,700-ft 2 wing which will house the Electronic Calibration Center i of the Boulder Laboratories (p. 97).

equipment was under construction for measuring such quantities as attenuation, power, and impedance at low (zero to about 30 kc), high (30 kc to about 300 Mc), and microwave (above 300 Mc) frequencies. Work | within the range from direct current up to 30 kc will be shared with the

| Bureau's Washington facilities. Calibration equipment for the Center

lias been designed, ordered, and in part delivered and tested. The electrical standards staff in Washington monitored the construction of special i equipment of improved stability and accuracy and participated in the ! training of personnel in test methods to be used. Laboratory furniture,

rf generators, detectors and other items needed for equipping the calibra- , tion facility are likewise of highest quality. During the year a large part j of the radio standards staff was engaged in preparing for the Center, either

in the design, procurement, and construction of equipment, or in the

development of new and more accurate measurement techniques.

Mobile Cement Testing Laboratory. A new laboratory trailer, comj pletely equipped for the physical testing of Portland cement, began

operation at Duluth, Minnesota, during the summer construction season, j This mobile facility augments the permanent testing laboratories maintained by the Bureau in Allentown, Denver, San Francisco, Seattle and

Washington, D. C, for conducting acceptance tests on cement purchased

by the Federal Government. The trailer is equipped with a compression i testing machine of 75,000-lb capacity, a high-pressure autoclave, a

controlled temperature moist-storage cabinet, and other necessary equipment. At Duluth, the testing operation, which largely concerned , construction at the Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota,

involved approximately 500,000 barrels of cement. The convenience of

a laboratory in the vicinity of the construction work offers distinct advantages and often avoids disruptive delays. While chemical samples

weighing a few grams can be readily transported by air to fixed laboratory

installations, 10-lb physical samples present quite a different problem.

Resistance Thermometry. The resistance thermometry laboratory,

which maintains the temperature scale from ten degrees above absolute

98
One of three high-speed photoelectric spectrometers recently installed to provide extremely rapid analysis of alloys. The spectrometers will be used

to study the homogeneity of alloys designed for distribution to science and

industry as certified standard samples (p. 97).

zero to the melting point of antimony (630.5° C), has been relocated and

modernized. To more effectively meet the growing demands of science

and industry, several new pieces of equipment have been designed and

built to improve the accuracy and reduce the cost of calibration service. These include an automatically controlled low-temperature cryostat

with means for realizing fixed points in the low-temperature region, such

as the normal boiling point of hydrogen, and a manostat for controlling

the pressure of the fixed point baths (including the steam and sulfur points) to within 1 micron at approximately 1 atmosphere. Much of the existing calibration equipment has also undergone modifications,

such as provisions for automatic data read-out.

High-Speed Photoelectric Spectrometers. In connection with a 3 -year program for the preparation of 150 new spectrometric standard samples,

three high-speed photoelectric spectrometers for use in studying the

homogeneity of alloys were designed and installed. Two of the spec- trometers, for optical spectra, are for analysis of a variety of normal

and complex alloys including cast irons, steels, titanium alloys, hightemperature alloys, and alloys of copper, lead, and other common metals.

The third spectrometer provides for the analysis by X-ray spectra of

alloys of iron, tungsten, nickel, cobalt, titanium, molybdenum, and

chromium. The spectrometers permit high-speed precise analyses of

standard-sample materials to check their uniformity and reliability for the calibration of similar instruments by industrial and Government

laboratories.

99
3.3. Services Discontinued

The decisions to discontinue the distribution of certain standard

samples now available from private enterprise and to discontinue the

calibration of viscometers reflects the Bureau's current policy. More

reliable calibration of these instruments is now obtained under conditions

of actual use, by reference to standard viscosity samples provided by the Bureau. Fewer than 60 viscometers were calibrated during the past

year, and effective January 1, 1958, the service will no longer be offered. The testing of watches and other timepieces has also been discontinued,

for the Bureau radio stations WWV and WWVH provide a much more

convenient and reliable means of making standards of time and frequency

available for practical use. In May 1957, the Bureau discontinued the distribution of the following

radioactivity standard samples of short-lived radioisotopes: Phosphorus32, iodine-131, gold-198, sodium-24, and potassium-42. Standardized

samples of these nuclides, now available from the Nuclear-Chicago

Corporation, will be derived from comparisons made with the primary

standards of the Bureau. This firm, however, has accepted full responsibility for the standardization of the samples that it distributes. The

Bureau will continue to maintain the primary disintegration-rate standards of these nuclides, with which commercially available secondary

standards may be compared.

3.4. Services to the Public and Government

An important step in spreading the benefits of standards and measure- ment throughout the Nation is the critical calibration of working standards of industrial and scientific laboratories against the national standards

maintained at the Bureau. Testing, on the other hand, is almost entirely

confined to request from Federal agencies, usually in connection with

quantity purchase of materials for Government use. In addition, smaU

numbers of tests are conducted on a very wide variety of items to supplement the testing services of other Government laboratories. Calibration and testing services showed an increase over last year and

totaled 149,058 items and a dollar fee value of $1,517,187.14. For example,

the volume of calibration of electrical standards and measuring instru- ments has increased about 50 percent over the 1956 figure, reflecting

the tendency to use electrical methods and instruments to measure nonelectrical quantities as well as the establishment throughout the Nation

of an ever-increasing number of electrical standardizing laboratories. A

summary of these services by area of activity to the public and Government is given in the accompanying table. Frequency and time standards are unique among the physical and elec- trical standards in that they may be made widely available by means of

radio transmissions. To make the United States standards readily

available on a worldwide basis, six standard carrier frequencies modulated

by standard audio frequencies and time intervals are broadcast con- 100
Five-pole antenna used in experimental 60-kc standard frequency broadcasts (p. 101). Because this frequency remains stable even when ionospheric

variations occur, the experimental broadcast makes possible frequency

measurements to 1 part in 1 billion throughout the continental United States. tinuously from station ¥WV, Beltsville, Maryland, and three standard

carrier frequencies, with modulation, from station WWVH, Maui, T. H.

In addition, the stations distribute radio propagation forecasts for the

North Atlantic and North Pacific radio circuits. The signals are relied upon by many individuals and agencies such as commercial airlines and

shipping lines; by scientific, commercial, and governmental organizations;

and by the military agencies. Also, they are of importance to all radio

broadcasting activities, including communications, navigation, television,

radar, and guided missiles. An experimental standard-frequency broadcast on 60 kc was begun

in July 1956 at the Boulder Laboratories. Because this frequency and

lower ones are not as seriously affected by ionospheric layer variations

as are the high frequencies, this service makes possible frequency measure- ments to a precision of at least 1 part in 109 throughout the continental

United States. Testing services for Government purchase cover a wide variety of

items as reflected in the table on page 102. Typical of these are electric lamps, cement, and other building materials. For example, lamps,

under purchase contracts between the Government (Federal Supply

Service) and the suppliers, must meet compliance specifications. During

the past year, samples inspected represented over 4,400,000 lamps, of

which approximately 8 percent were rejected on initial inspection at the

factories of the suppliers. Lamps of current suppliers started on life test totaled 4,611, and those rejected represented approximately 5.1 percent of those accepted on initial inspection. Some 6,000 cement

samples were tested representing approximately 11 -million barrels of cement. In this area the number of tests necessary to obtain quality

control has been considerably reduced by the utilization of a new statistical testing procedure.

101
102
In the area of building materials much of the testing contributes to the formulation of improved criteria for selection of materials and equipment for specific uses or for improved test methods and standards.

Assistance to Government in this area also included a study, at the request

of the Architect of the Capitol, of the 150-yearold exteiior sandstone

in the original portion of the United States Capitol. Nine samples,

cored from the walls of the building, were tested for such properties as compressive and flexural strength, hardness, toughness, specific gravity,

porosity, and elasticity. The findings of this study suggested alternate plans for renovation. Since the structure is essentially sound, one -half inch of spoiled stone might be removed by tooling, and the new surface preserved by periodic repainting. A preferable long-term solution would

be to reface the old walls with a material such as marble.

3.5. Standard Samples Program

The several new standard samples developed during the year were the

first to be established under Public Law 940, which authorized the

Bureau to finance this activity from service fees. These samples, bringing

the total of standard samples now available to science and industry to

580, include two metal standards, two rubber samples, and an extension

of pH standards. In addition, a large number of samples were under

development to meet pressing needs in industry. This was especially

reflected in the initiation of a 3 -year program for the preparation of 150 new spectrometric standards of which 55 are nearing completion. To

carry out this program, 3 high-speed photoelectric spectrometers were

installed (see page 99). During the year, approximately 38,827 standard samples, having a fee value of $188,221, were issued by the Bureau. A summary of the standard samples program by area of activity is given

in the accompanying table. The Bureau pH standardization program has resulted in the establish- ment of sjx primary standards, specifically for the accurate adjustment

of electrometric pH equipment over the wide pH range 1.68 to 12.45

at 25° C. The assignment of pH values is based on the electromotive

force of cells making use of the hydrogen electrode, the primary reference standard for all hydrogen ion determinations. In many instances,

however, where high accuracy is not required, pH is determined by

matching the shade of color produced by a color indicator in the test solution with that produced by the same indicator in solutions of known

pH. For this purpose, the six primary standards are insufficient. The

pH of a series of secondary standards has therefore been determined with

reference to the primary standards. These solutions cover the pH

range 1.0 to 13.0 in intervals of 0.1 pH unit. Two new standards of certified composition were prepared, a leadedtin bronze, and a titanium-base alloy. Twelve renewals of exhausted

standards were also prepared. These included 7 steels, 2 cast irons, 1 tin-base alloy, 1 manganese ore, and 1 melting-point zinc. At the request

103
104
of industry, work is in progress to establish new standard samples of lithium ores, alumina -silica refractories, and additional titanium-base

alloys. A survey of a number of metallurgists also established the need of metallurgical standards which would aid industrial laboratories to deter- mine accurately the gas content of certain metals. Accordingly, the

Bureau has undertaken a program to develop eight steels as standards.

The first rubber samples to be issued as standard materials were added

to the list of standard samples of rubber compounding ingredients during

1957, making a total of 15 samples. Two of the existing standard samples were exhausted and replenished during the year. These rubber samples

are styrene -butadiene synthetic rubber, types 1,000 and 1,500. The

sample of type 1,500 synthetic rubber, which was issued in the amount

of 26,000 pounds, was sponsored by ASTM Committee D-11 on Rubber

and Rubberlike Materials.

The sale of standard samples of paper and standard booklets for cali- bration or carbon-arc fading lamps, for use in fading and weathering tests, continued to increase. Two mill runs of paper totaling approximately

550 pounds were made, standardized, packaged, and printed during the

year. At present, the Bureau accepts only new sieves for calibration. During

the year, however, a project was initiated for the preparation of standard

samples of calibrated glass beads suitably graded for use in calibrating

sieves. With these standard beads it will be possible for industry to accurately calibrate any of its sieves on plant premises, using the same

methods as those by which industrial materials are tested.

4. Cooperative Activities

An important function of the Bureau—cooperative and consultative

activities for Government, science, and industry—arises from the diversity of the Bureau's program, facilities, and staff in all areas of the physical sciences. These activities range from standardization and research

projects in cooperation with other groups to active participation in scientific and technical society programs.

Finished documents on codes and specifications are usually promulgated by the sponsoring society or agency; the Bureau contributes by

providing methods of test, data on properties of materials, and standards

of measurement, which are fundamental to all standardization work.

Cooperation of this type permits Bureau personnel to keep abreast of technical and scientific developments elsewhere, and provides an opportunity to reconcile differences existing between the methods of measure- ment and requirements in Government specifications and standards, and

those used in industry.

The Bureau's participation in national and international professional

societies and standardization groups is implemented by membership on

committees and subcommittees. During the year, about 1,550 member

105
ships from about 180 technical societies were held by members of the

staff, in many instances as officers of the committees.

Cooperative activities were extensive with such groups as the American

Society for Testing Materials, American Standards Association, American

Chemical Society, American Physical Society, American Institute of

Electrical Engineers, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Insti- tute of Radio Engineers, Society of Automotive Engineers, Society of the

Plastics Industry, International Organization for Standardization, Inter- national Association of Dental Research, American Association for the

Advancement of Science, and Illuminating Engineering Society.

4.1. Federal Specifications

Participation in the preparation of uniform specifications and test methods

for use in procurement by the Federal Government represents an important area of the Bureau's cooperative activities with other agencies of the

Government and with industry.

The Bureau has accepted the responsibility for the preparation and

maintenance of 215 Federal Specifications covering a wide range of

materials and products. In developing and maintaining these specifications, the Bureau frequently utilizes information obtained from its investigations of the properties of materials, and from its broad research and

development programs. Use is also made of knowledge obtained through

cooperation with scientific and technical groups, and industry organizations, which sometimes permits the Federal adoption in whole or in part

of specifications already in use in industry. The Government is thus

saved the cost of developing the specifications; industry benefits through

familiarity with the materials defined by them. Federal Specifications are frequently used by State and municipal governments, and by large

commercial purchasers.

At the request of the General Services Administration and other

agencies, the Bureau reviewed approximately 500 proposed specifications to comment on technical adequacy, and the suitability of test methods.

Most of the suggested changes concerned proper sampling and test procedures.

4.2. Methods of Test

The development of test methods is one of the statutory functions of

the Bureau. For Federal Specifications, the Bureau attempts to develop

methods that will be applicable to groups or classes of products or materials rather than methods covering a single item.

The Bureau has accepted responsibility for the development and maintenance of 12 of the 14 Federal Test Method Standards, covering approximately 1,200 methods for rubber, textiles, paper, leather, nontextile floor coverings, adhesives, plastics, detergents, paint, cement, wire and cable,

and laboratory glassware. Several of these standards contain sampling

plans and definitions that are in common use in industry. Complete

106
Studying the gloss of clear finishes on wood. The Bureau developed an

improved method for measuring gloss of wood finishes which has recently

been adopted by the American Society for Testing Materials as a tentative standard (p. 108). revisions of the standards for laboratory glassware, cements, and paint,

involving approximately 300 methods, were prepared during the year. Continuous revision of old methods and the development of new ones as well as periodic complete revision of a standard are necessary 1o keep

abreast of new developments in this area.

4.3. Industry Specifications

If the Federal Government is to purchase satisfactory materials and

products at a reasonable price, it is necessary that its purchase specifications be coordinated with those of industry and that full advantage be

taken of new developments and improved manufacturing processes. The

Bureau is in a position to make an important contribution in this area by its active participation in the work of technical societies, industrial

associations, and standardization groups. The following examples are typical of such activities. In cooperation

with ASTM Committee D-20, methods were developed for the simulated

weathering of plastics, using a fluorescent sunlamp, and for measuring

the water absorption and tensile properties of plastic films. At the request

of ASTM Committee D-20 on Plastics, proposed methods for measuring

the surface flammability and ignition temperatures of plastics were

prepared and submitted to the Committee. Both methods are based on

research done at the Bureau. Proposed ASTM specifications for polyvinyl

450859—58 8 107
acetate resin emulsion adhesives and general purpose adhesives were

drafted for ASTM Committee D-14 on Adhesives. A revision of the

ASTM method for measuring thickness of solid electrical insulation was

prepared for ASTM Committee D-9 on Electrical Insulation. ASTM

Committee D—1 was aided in the revision of methods of sampling and

analysis of lac resins. The two-parameter method of test for gloss,

developed at the Bureau, was adopted by ASTM Committee D-l as a tentative standard. Extensive cooperation was given ASTM Committee E-3 on the preparation of the sixth edition of "Chemical Analysis

of Metals" comprising 627 pages. A specification for acoustical adhesives

based on an evaluation program at the Bureau was adopted by ASTM

Committee D-14 on Adhesives.

The Bureau is cooperating with the International Committee for Cellulose Analysis, American Chemical Society, American Society for Testing Materials, and the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper

Industry, in an endeavor to standardize methods for determining the

functional groups in cellulose and cellulose derivatives. This standardization is essential because these methods are basic tools for determining the

properties and reactions of cellulosic materials. It will also help research

workers throughout the world to better understand the significance of

work published by others in the field. Extensive aid was given the Illuminating Engineering Society in the

reA ision of the IES Lighting Handbook and in the work of its Committees

on Aviation Lighting, Motor Vehicle Lighting, and Nomenclature.

"Tips to the Motorist", which fists safety steps in night driving, was

issued as part of the "Back the Attack on Traffic Accidents" campaign

by the IES Motor Vehicle Lighting Committee under direction of its NBS chairman. A Guide to the Photometry of Searchlights was also prepared.

Assistance was given the Scientific Committee of the Waxes and Floor

Finishes Division of the Chemical Specialties Manufacturers Association

in their work on floor wax evaluation. In cooperation with the Office of

Technical Services, U. S. Department of Commerce, the industry committees of the Society of the Plastics Industry were assisted in the de- velopment of nine commercial standards covering such items as garden

hose, structural panels, plastic tubes, and plastic pipe. A specification

for hydraulic actuators was prepared for the AIEE Feed Back Controls

Committee.

4.4. Cooperative Research With Industry

The Bureau's Research Associate Plan, a cooperative program with

American industry, has resulted in many significant developments in science and technology. Under this plan, technical, industrial, and

commercial organizations can support work at the Bureau on projects

that are of special interest to them, yet are of sufficient general interest to justify use of Government facilities. These projects must also be

108
A lack of uniformity in devices measuring liquefied petroleum gas led the

States to request the Bureau to develop equipment for testing such meters. This equipment, which allows quick and easy "proving" of the measuring

devices, will be used by meter manufacturers, the liquefied-petroleum-gas

industry, and weights and measures enforcement officials (p. 111). important from the standpoint of the Nation's sum total of technological

knowledge.

Since 1920, when the Research Associate Plan was established, over 180 organizations and individuals have supported cooperative research at the Bureau. At the present time, 10 groups are supporting research

associates at NBS, in the following areas:

Sponsor Field of Activity

American Dental Association Dental research and testing. American Electroplaters Society Research on electroplated coatings.

American Society for Testing Materials Cement reference laboratory.

Asphalt Roofing Industry Bureau Asphalt roofing research. Bone Char Research, Inc Research on adsorbents for sugar

refining. Calcium Chloride Association Hydration of portland cement.

Corrosion Research Council Corrosion of metals. National Research Council Masonry research. Porcelain Enamel Institute Test methods for porcelain enamels. Portland Cement Association Cement research. Joint Committee of Chemical Analysis by Standard X-ray diffraction powder

X-ray Diffraction Methods. (ASTM & patterns. Am. Crystallographic Assoc.). The results of the projects supported by the Research Associate Plan

become a part of the public domain and are published by the Bureau. Whereas many projects are specific in nature and of short duration.

109
others, such as those sponsored by the Portland Cement Association and

the American Dental Association, are directed toward fundamental

research and have been active for a number of years. Accomplishments

of the program during 1957 are reported in section 2. Another important and similar area of cooperation between the Bureau

and industry is the program authorized in 1950 by Public Law 619 under

which the Bureau is authorized to accept funds for the purpose of further- ing its work. This arrangement permits individuals as well as technical,

industrial, and commercial organizations to support work at the Bureau

when the results are expected to be of value to the general public.

During the past year, 17 projects were supported by gifts from 23

organizations as follows: Donor Field of Activity

American Dental Trade Association Standards for color of dental equip- ment. American Iron & Steel Institute Standard samples of ferrous metals,

steel research. American Iron & Steel Institute Design stresses for reinforced concrete. Dearborn Gage Company Precision gage block program. DoAll Company Precision gage block program. Edward Orton Jr., Ceramic Foundation Research in clays. E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., Inc Precision gage block program. Georgetown University Physiological research. Greenfield Tap and Die Corp Precision gage block program. Hughes Aircraft Company Precision gage block program.

International Business Machines Precision gage block program.

International Nickel Company Revision of Circular, "Nickel and its Alloys," research on low alloy

steels. National Electrical Manufacturers Association . Safety devices in refrigerators. National Lime Association Hydration of lime. Pratt & Whitney Company Precision gage block program. Radio-TV Electrical Manufacturers Associa- Luminous standards of color phostion. phors. Taft-Peirce Foundation Precision gage block program. The Sheffeld Corporation Precision gage block program. The Van Keuren Company Precision gage block program. Timken Roller Bearing Co Precision gage block program. United Engineering Trustees, Inc Stress corrosion, research on metal

single crystals. Welding Research Council Stress -corrosion cracking of stainless

steel. Anonymous Ether peroxides.

Anonymous Phenomena of crystallization. 4.5. Weights and Measures

The Congress has left to the individual States the responsibilities of

regulating commercial weighing and measuring devices, and of controlling

commercial transactions involving quantity. The Bureau cooperates

with the States in this endeavor through its Office of Weights and Meas110
ures. Commerce, business, and consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of adequate weights and measures administration. This, plus the rapid introduction of new instruments and techniques

in the field, brings greater demands upon the Bureau each year for assistance and advice.

The Office of Weights and Measures plans and conducts several inte- grated programs of assistance to States and local jurisdictions, as well

as to business and industry. The range of consultative services is broad,

embracing the drafting of new legislation; development of regulations,

including technical specifications and tolerances for devices; guidance in administrative procedures; design of testing equipment; and preparation

and distribution of recommended testing methods. Also included is the

physical adjustment of State reference weights and measures standards.

During 1957 the Bureau continued its on-the-job training of technical

personnel from the various States. Training schools and work shops were

planned and conducted, involving classroom-type of instruction, and

physical demonstrations of equipment.

An intensive survey was conducted, at the request of the State of

Arkansas, on weighing and measuring devices and practices. The findings of this survey were submitted to the Arkansas Legislative Council in the

form of a report, supplemented by a proposed weights and measures bill. Special surveys were made in three States on vehicle -tank and loadingrack meters. Metering Liquefied Petroleum Gas. Because of the tremendous rise in the use of liquefied petroleum gas, a system of sale by liquid measure

through positive displacement meters has evolved. At the request of

the States, the Bureau undertook the development of special equipment

for testing such liquid meters and thus made available to the meter manufacturers, the liquefied-petroleum-gas industry, and weights and measures enforcement officials, equipment that makes possible quick and easy

"proving" of the measuring devices for accuracy. The 42d National Conference. One of the most effective movements

toward nationwide uniformity in weights and measures administration

is the National Conference on Weights and Measures, sponsored by

NBS since its inception in 1905. The 42d Conference, held in Washington

in June of 1957, was attended by almost 450 delegates, representing 38

States, Alaska, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, as well as consumer groups and all phases of business and industry associated di- rectly with weights and measures supervision. The Conference concerns

itself with the technology of weights and measures supervision, and

adopts and recommends to the States model laws and regulations.

The Conference adopted for the first time a "Statement of Organization and Procedure" (see appendix for full text of Statement, p. 124),

that was developed and recommended by a special-study committee

appointed by the President (the Director, NBS) covering: (1) Objectives, (2) relationship with the National Bureau of Standards, (3) constituent membership, (4) officers, (5) committees, (6) duties of officers, 111
(7) duties and fields of operation of committees, (8) voting, (9) procedures,

(10) changes in organization and procedure, and (11) parliamentary

procedure.

The production of audiovisual aids in the form of motion pictures is one phase of the education program conducted by the Conference, and

the Office of Weights and Measures. A motion picture, "Assignment

Weights and Measures", is near completion. This 18-min., 16-mm,

color and sound film portrays the importance of weights and measures

supervision to the average family.

4.6. Free-Radicals Research Program

In October 1956, the Bureau undertook a 3 -year program of basic

research on free radicals. The object of the program is to increase fundamental knowledge on the formation, properties, and storage of these

highly reactive molecular fragments. The work is receiving support

from the Department of Defense through the Office of Ordnance Research, Department of the Army.

To encourage broad dissemination of the information obtained in the

program, and to minimize interference with other established projects at the Bureau, participating scientists have been drawn largely from other

institutions. Approximately half of the technical staff for the free- radicals research program is on loan from industrial-research laboratories;

others have come from universities and various Government agencies.

It is expected that the work of this central research group will be con- tinued and expanded in many industrial laboratories after termination

of the present program.

A technical-data center has been set up so that free -radical research

at other laboratories, both in the United States and abroad, may be

closely followed. Other activities serving to knit together the various

research projects making up the program include weekly seminars, and a

general conference planned for September 1957. The program is now firmly established and a number of projects are already under way. These include, among others, spectroscopic investi- gations of condensates from electric discharges; X-ray and electrondiffraction studies of the structure of solids containing free radicals; methods of preparing pure free radicals by photolysis and gamma irradiation; and theoretical calculations of recombination rates, heats of reaction,

and other properties.

4.7. Educational Program

The broad educational program at the Bureau provides an opportunity

for the scientific staff to further their education and increase their opportunities to take on added responsibilities.

The NBS Graduate School Program is divided into courses classed as NBS out-of-hours, NBS in-hours, and NBS-university sponsored out-of- hours courses. The program is flexible to meet the varied and changing

112
needs of the research staff. Research workers from other Government

agencies may enroll in the NBS classes if the knowledge gained will assist them in their official duties. Since the establishment of the educational

program in 1908, over 13,000 registrations have been recorded, and more

than 170 graduate degrees have been awarded by 35 different universities,

partly on the basis of credits obtained, or the thesis work carried on, under the Bureau program. During the past year there were 1,094 registrations in 43 courses offered at the Washington and Boulder laboratories. A summer Junior Scientist-Engineer program is open to the especially

well-qualified scientific student with possibilities for a future career at the Bureau. It consists of orientations, training assignments, and

discussions with advisors from the technical divisions. Postdoctoral Resident Research Associateships recommended by the

National Academy of Sciences -National Research Council are tenable

at the National Bureau of Standards, 1 of 2 laboratories in the United

States which provide this opportunity. Young scientists at the Ph. D.

level participate in basic research in the physical and mathematical

sciences. This is the third year of the program and the Bureau has 8

associates, 3 in chemistry, 3 in physics, and 2 in mathematics.

The educational program also includes a series of seminars, colloquia,

and lectures. The seminars and colloquia are of a specialized nature and

are devoted to detailed discussions. The weekly Scientific Staff Meetings

are of a more general nature. They are open to all members of the professional staff at the Bureau and are also regularly attended by scientific personnel from neighboring laboratories. Designed to keep Bureau

personnel abreast of current developments in the various fields, these

lectures are given by both members of our own staff, and scientists from

universities and other laboratories in the United States and abroad. Lectures by members of the Bureau staff include a yearly report to the staff by the Director, a periodic review of the work of the divisions by their division chiefs with an accompanying division open house to increase the

interdivision exchange of ideas and contacts, lectures on current research

of broad general interest to other members of the staff, reports by staff members on international meetings, and reports from fellowship scientists on research work at other institutions in this country and abroad. About

two-thirds of the program is devoted to lectures by guest scientists. 4.8. International Cooperation

The Bureau contributes to the establishment of internationally recog- nized standards and practices through cooperation with international

standardization and professional groups. This cooperation is very important to American trade, industry, technology, and science. A member of the NBS staff presided at the Sixth Meeting of the Technical Committee on Plastics of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) held in The Hague. Statistical guidance in planning

interlaboratory tests on shrinkage in laundering of textiles, and assistance

113
in interpreting the results of the tests were furnished to the Technical

Committee on Textiles. Comments of the American Group on 3 pro- posed ISO recommendations of the Technical Committee of Lac were

assembled and submitted to the American Standards Association for transmittal to the Secretariat. The Bureau, through the chairman and

members of the American Group of the Technical Committee on Rubber,

has assisted in the development of six ISO Recommendations on Rubber

which have been approved by the ISO Council and are available as standards to those countries desiring to use them.

A member of the staff reported the latest measurement made on the

absolute determination of the ampere to the Consultative Committee on

Electricity of the International Committee on Weights and Measures.

Scientists from the Bureau, serving as Secretary of the U. S. National

Committee of the International Commission on Illumination, Chairman

of the International Working Committee on Colorimetry, and Chairman

of the U. S. Technical Committees on Colors of Signal Lights and Photopic

and Scotopic Vision, are assisting in preparations for an international

conference to be held in Brussels in 1959. Members of the staff serve the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry as President of the Section of Inorganic Chemistry; President of the Commission of

Atomic Weights; President of the Commission of Electrochemical Data;

and Secretary of the Plastics and High Polymer Division. Studies on

the prediction of atmospheric noise and its variation with location, fre- quency, and time were presented to the Eighth Plenary Assembly of the

Consultative Committee on International Radio by members of the staff. As a part of the program of the International Cooperation Administration

(Point 4 Activity) a member of the Bureau staff was sent to Ethiopia.

He surveyed conditions there and advised the U. S. Operations Mission on the desirable size, functions and organization of a proposed National

Bureau of Standards of Ethiopia.

The Bureau has always welcomed the cooperation of foreign scientists and students in its research and standardization programs. Under the

various international fellowships and Point 4 programs, foreign nationals

have worked with Bureau scientists on problems in the physical sciences of mutual interest to their countries as well as to the United States. During 1957 the Bureau received more than 1,000 foreign trainees,

visitors, guest workers, and leaders seeking information or training in

their fields of specialization. 4.9. Other Cooperative Activities

Safety Codes and Building Technology. Close liaison is maintained with

the Federal Construction Council of the National Academy of Sciences,

and members of the Bureau staff served on a number of task committees

established to study Government building practices, and to make recom- mendations for improvement. Extensive cooperative work was done with

model code -writing bodies such as the Building Officials Conference of

114
America, the Southern Building Code Congress, and the International

Conference of Building Officials. During the year, revision of the Code for Protection Against Lightning was completed and the draft submitted to the sponsors for approval. A

final draft of the code for the Protection of Head, Eye, and Respiratory

Organs was completed. Satisfactory progress is being made on the revi- sion of the National Electrical Safety Code and on the Elevator Inspectors' Manual. The Bureau is cooperating actively with a number of

technical and scientific organizations in the preparation of building and

safety standards and model codes. Work was done on Minimum Requirements for Building Codes, Code for Parking Garages, Punch Press Code, Standards for Reinforced Masonry, Over-head Cableways for Passenger Transportation, and Interpretations of the National Electrical

Code.

During the year, 4,159 cities, each with a population of 2,500 or over, were surveyed as to the status of their building codes. The survey showed

that codes are being revised and brought up to date more frequently now

than was previously done. The use of model codes to which the Bureau

made substantial contributions is very widespread.

Other Government agencies depend upon the Bureau to assist them in solving their technical problems by supplying accurate information on

building materials and structures with regard to strength, fire resistance

and durability, and heating and air-conditioning.

Dental Materials. The dental research program at the Bureau is carried on in cooperation with the American Dental Association and the

Dental Corps of the Armed Services and the Veterans Administration.

The objective of the greater part of the work is to provide information on the properties of dental materials and equipment, as a guide to these

agencies in the purchase and use of dental items.

The Armed Services and Veterans Administration were advised on the

properties of the newer synthetic -rubber impression materials, the

physical properties of human enamel and dentin, the physical properties of gallium-copper-tin alloys, and the use of high-speed methods of cutting

teeth. The Bureau aided the USAF in setting up the Panoramic X-ray for

clinical evaluation, demonstrating that it has great value for surveying

and recording the oral condition of military inductees. This device,

developed at the Bureau, has many other uses. Assistance was given to the Armed Services Dental Corps in training

dental officers in research methods and the use of dental materials. The

Armed Services Dental Corps assign officers to the Bureau for training

and send special postgraduate groups for lectures and demonstrations.

Staff members of the Bureau lectured on special subjects as part of the

regular curriculum of the Navy and Army dental schools. Lectures and clinics were given at several other dental schools, and at meetings of

professional and research dental groups.

115
Applied Mathematics and. Data Processing. The Bureau maintains one

of the principal facilities to which other Federal agencies turn for assistance

in the solution of their mathematical problems. One important aspect

of this work lies in the fact that coding for electronic computations is done not only for the Bureau's own machines, SEAC, and the IBM 704,

but also for NORC, UNIVAC, and ERA 1103, at the request of outside

agencies.

Among such problems studied for other Government agencies were:

Solution of a set of partial differential equations arising in a reactor design

problem; angular distributions and polarization effects in nuclear scat- tering; molecular -structure calculations; award of procurement contracts by linear programing; computation of wave functions by Hartree method;

charged particle trajectories in magnetic field of the earth; multiple

scattering in cross-section measurements; radar scanning problem; and a study of microwave properties of ferrites. Methods for sampling current production of ship steel for the purpose

of studying the variation of nine physical and chemical properties have

been worked out for the Bureau of Ships—NRC Ship Steel Committee.

The sampling procedure is so arranged as to concentrate attention on the

most important sources of variation so that effort is not wasted on factors previously shown to be relatively unimportant.

Services were also rendered to the U. S. Geological Survey on de- veloping methods for the analysis of orientation data and on correlation

analysis of data from several different geological problems, and to the

Naval Ordnance Laboratory, Picatinny Arsenal, and National Institutes

of Health in the design of experiments and the analysis of data. The first draft of a manual on experimental statistics, being prepared

under the sponsorship of the Office of Ordnance Research, neared completion. The final version will appear in the Army Ordnance Engineering

Design Handbook Series. Technical assistance was given to Diamond Ordnance Fuze Laboratory on tracking problems of the Mohawk River Project, to the Bureau of

Aeronautics on a digital direct -reporting system for the Naval Air Test

Center, Patuxent, Md., and on the dynamics of a jet engine. In addition, members of the staff were asked to make a survey of data processing

facilities applicable to air traffic control for the Curtis Committee on

Aviation Facilities Planning, for submission to the President and to Congressional leaders. Technical advice and assistance in problem analysis, formulation of

machine -performance requirements, and evaluation of system proposals were also provided to the Treasury Department in connection with the

mechanization of the issue and redemption of savings bonds, and to the

government of Puerto Rico for a general business management application. Similar technical consulting services have been provided to Highway Research Board, Automotive Safety Foundation, and Bureau of

116
Public Roads, in connection with traffic analysis, and to several Government agencies relative to information retrieval problems. A number of

machine systems have been investigated for the Chemical Corps, U. S. Army, and a contract was placed for a new data -processing system at Fort Detrick.

Services to Other Government Agencies. In addition to the many activities described above, the Bureau is frequently called upon by other

agencies of Government for assistance in solving a great variety of

problems. This arises from the Bureau's broad research program in all areas of the physical sciences, as well as from its particular competence

and facilities in certain fields. The following examples indicate the range

and scope of these activities and are not intended to be inclusive. The Adjutant General's Office was given assistance in the design and

calibration of a new device for testing night vision. The Air Force was

advised on methods of standardization of color, and color tolerances for the Air Force Academy uniform. At the request of the State Department and the National Science Foundation, a "nuclear clock" exhibit was designed for the U. S. Pavilion at the Brussels World Fair of 1958. The remote control system for monitoring radiation, developed earlier at NBS, was converted to cover a frequency range more adaptable to tele- phone line transmission, for use by the Atomic Energy Commission in

tests being conducted in Nevada. In cooperation with the Public Health

Service, assistance was given the Taft Sanitary Engineering Center in a complete inventory of industrial pollutants in the Louisville, Kentucky,

area. The Quartermaster Corps was assisted in the selection of the

proper type of adhesive for a variety of uses such as furniture, cold, and

foul-weather clothing. The Frankford Arsenal was aided in the selection of several plastics to be used in the making of parts for a new binocular.

Two articles, Leather Research in the USA, and Quality Control in the

Leather Industry, were prepared for the State Department and Bureau

of Foreign Commerce for distribution at a meeting of the Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East, to be held in Madras, India. Two

representatives of the Agriculture Department were given assistance in the use and application of various instruments for testing textiles. A special report has been prepared for the National Academy of Sci- ences Committee for the International Geophysical Year on the preser- vation of IGY records. IGY's record-keeping problem is rather unusual;

it will receive scientific data from many countries, on papers of varied

types and qualities. These must be preserved for many years, and some may be frequently handled by scientists consulting them. As the data

will often be irreplaceable, the records must be stored with great care. The Bureau's report considers papers, inks, and bindings, outlines pre- cautionary measures and storage conditions, and provides an extensive

bibliography to facilitate the choice of preservation methods in different climates.

117
5. Appendixes

5.1. Organization of the National Bureau of Standards*

Allen V. Astin, Director Associate Director for Chemistry

Wallace R. Brode

Associate Director for Physics

Robert D. Huntoon

Associate Director for Engineering

A. T. McPherson

Associate Director for Planning

Nicholas E. Golovin

Assistant Director for Administration R. S. Walleigh

Director Emeritus

Lyman J. Briggs

SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL DIVISIONS AND

SECTIONS

ELECTRICITY AND ELECTRONICS, F. B. Silsbee, Chief

Resistance and Reactance, J. L. Thomas

Electron Devices, C. P. Marsden, Jr. Electrical Instruments, F. M. Defandorf

Magnetic Measurements, I. L. Cooter, Acting

Dielectrics, J. D. Hoffman

Engineering Electronics, G. Shapiro, Acting

Electronic Instrumentation, C. Stansbury

Electrochemistry, W. J. Hamer

OPTICS AND METROLOGY, I. C. Gardner, Chief Photometry and Colorimetry, L. E. Barbrow

Optical Instruments, F. E. Washer

Photographic Technology, R. Davis

Length, L. V. Judson

Engineering Metrology, I. H. Fullmer

HEAT, C. M. Herzfeld, Chief Temperature Physics, J. F. Swindells

Thermodynamics, C. W. Beckett

Cryogenic Physics, R. P. Hudson

Rheology, R. S. Marvin

Engine Fuels, F. L. Howard

Free Radicals Research, H. P. Broida

ATOMIC AND RADIATION PHYSICS, L. S. Taylor, Chief Atomic Physics Laboratory

Spectroscopy, W. F. Meggers

Radiometry, E. K. Plyler Mass Spectrometry, F. L. Mohler

Solid State Physics, H. P. R. Frederikse

Electron Physics, L. L. Marton

Atomic Physics, L. M. Branscomr

*As of September 1, 1957. 118
Radiation Physics Laboratory, H. O. \Yyckoff, Chief Neutron Physics, R. S. Caswell

Nuclear Physics, U. Fano

Radioactivity, W. B. Mann

X-rays, H. O. Wyckoff

Betatron, H. W. Koch

?sucleonic Instrumentation. L. Costrell

Radiological Equipment, S. W. Smith

Radiation Instruments Branch, Atomic Energy Commission, R. W.

Johnston

CHEMISTRY, E. Wichers, Chief Organic Coatings, P. T. Howard

Surface Chemistry, W. W. Walton

Organic Chemistry, H. S. Isbell

Analytical Chemistry, H. A. Bright

Inorganic Chemistry, R. Gilchrist

Electrodeposition, A. Brenner

Molecular Structure and Properties of Gases, Floyd Buckley

Physical Chemistry, R. G. Bates

Thermochemistry, E. J. Prosen

Spectrochemistry, B. F. Scribner

Pure Substances, C. P. Saylor

MECHANICS, W. Ramberg, Chief Sound, R. K. Cook

Mechanical Instruments, E. C. Lloyd

Fluid Mechanics, G. B. Schubauer

Engineering Mechanics, B. L. Wilson

Mass and Scale, H. H. Russell, Acting

Capacitv, Densitv, and Fluid Meters, H. S. Bean

Combustion Controls, F. R. Caldwell

ORGANIC AND FIBROUS M,

Rubber, L. A. Wood

Textiles, W. D. Appel

Paper, R. B. Hobbs

Leather, J. R. Kanagy

METALLURGY, J. Thermal Metallurgy, T. G. Digges

Chemical Metallurgy, L. L. Wyman

Mechanical Metallurgy, J. A. Bennett

MINERAL PRODUCTS,

Engineering Ceramics, M. D. Burdick

Glass, C. H. Hahner

Refractories, S. Zerfoss

VTERIALS, G. M. Kline, Chief

Testing and Specifications, R. D. Stiehler

Polymer Structure, N. Bekkedahl

Organic Plastics, F. W. Reinhart

Dental Research, W. T. Sweeney

I. Hoffman, Chief

Corrosion, G. A. Ellinger

Metal Physics, L. M. Kushner

I. C. Schooxover, Chief Enameled Metals, W. N. Harrison

Concreting Materials, R. L. Blaine

Constitution and Microstructure, H. F. McMuRDIE

BUILDING TECHNOLOGY, D. E. Parsons, Chief

Structural Engineering, D. Watstein

Fire Protection, A. F. Robertson

Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration, P. R. Achenbach

Floor, Roof, and Wall Coverings, H. R. Snoke

Codes and Specifications, J. A. Dickinson Heat Transfer, H. E. Robinson

APPLIED MATHEMATICS, E. W. Cannon, Chief Numerical Analysis, J. Todd Statistical Engineering, C. ElSENHART

Computation, M. Abramowitz Mathematical Physics, R. F. DRESSLER

DATA PROCESSING SYSTEMS, S. N. Alexander, Chief SEAC Engineering Group, P. D. Shupe, Digital Systems, A. L. Liener

Jr. Analog Systems, H. K. Skramstad

Components and Techniques, R. D. Application Engineering, S. N. \ik\-

Elbourn ander (x4cting) Digital Circuitry, S. Greenwald

119
OFFICE OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES, W. S. Bussey, Chief OFFICE OF BASIC INSTRUMENTATION, W. A. Wildhack, Chief OFFICE OF TECHNICAL INFORMATION, W. R. Tilley, Chief ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS

Accounting, P. R. McClenon Supply, G. B. Kefover

Personnel, G. R. Porter Management Planning, Ivan Asay

Administrative Services, H. P. Dalzell Budget, N. L. Christeller

Shops, F. P. Brown Plant, H. Graham

BOULDER LABORATORIES, F. W. Brown, Director

Boulder, Colorado CRYOGENIC ENGINEERING, R. B. Scott, Chief

Assistant Chief, B. W. Birmingham

Cryogenic Equipment, R. B. Jacobs

Cryogenic Processes, B. W. Birmingham

Properties of Materials, R. J. Corruccini Gas Liquefaction, V. J. Johnson

RADIO PROPAGATION PHYSICS, R. J. Slutz, Chief Upper Atmosphere Research, T. N. Gautier

Ionospheric Research, R. C. Kirby

Regular Propagation Services, W. B. Chadwick

Sun Earth Relationships, A. H. Shapley

RADIO PROPAGATION ENGINEERING. K. A. Norton, Chief Data Reduction Instrumentation, W. E. Johnson

Modulation Systems, A. D. Watt

Navigation Systems, G. Hefley

Radio Noise, W. Q. Crichlow

Tropospheric Measurements, C. F. Peterson

Tropospheric Analysis, P. L. Rice

Radio Systems Application Engineering, R. S. Kirby

RADIO STANDARDS, W. D. George, Acting Chief

Asst. Chief for Radio Frequencies, W. D. George

Asst. Chief for Microwave Frequencies, D. M. Kerns

High Frequency Electrical Standards, M. C. Selby

Radio Broadcast Service, A. H. Morgan

High Frequency Impedance Standards,1 J. L. Dalke

Calibration Center, H. W. Lance

Microwave Physics, D. M. Kerns Microwave Circuit Standards, R. W. Beatty

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION, S. W. J. Welch

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

FIELD ESTABLISHMENTS

Lamp Inspector, Brookline 46, Mass.

Visual Landing Aids Field Lab., Areata, Calif. Master Railway Track Scale Depot, Clearing, 111. Materials Testing Laboratories Allentown, Pa. San Francisco, Calif. Denver, Colo. Seattle, Wash.

Chevenne Mt. Field Station, Colorado Springs, Colo. Radio Transmitting Station WWV, Beltsville, Md.

120
Radio Propagation Field Stations Anchorage, Alaska

Barrow, Alaska

Carthage, 111. Fort Belvoir, Va

Gunbarrell Hill, Longmont, Colo. Radio Noise Recording Stations

Bill, Wyoming

Front Royal, Va. Kauai, Hawaii

Havanna, 111. Margarita, Panama Canal Zone San Juan, Puerto Rico

Sterling, Virginia

5.2. Fiscal Data on NBS Program

PROGRAM AND SOURCE OF FINANCING Obligations Incurred

(in thousands of dollars) Supported by NBS Appropriations

Operating Program:

Construction and Facilities Programs:

Plant and Equipment

Construction of Laboratories Construction of Facilities

Total, NBS Appropriations

Supported by Other Funds

Research and Development Programs:

Department of Defense and AEC . . Non-Governmental Sources

Calibrations and Standard Samples .... Reimbursable Administrative Services .

.

Total, Supported by Other Funds. . .

.

$8, 387

$1, 012

18 593

1, 623

$10, 010

12,228

2,849

132 15,209

1,483

1,309

18, 001 28,011

5.3. Advisory Committees

STATUTORY VISITING COMMITTEE

[Reports annually to Secretary of Commerce on NBS activities (Dates indicate expiration of

appointment.)] Dr. M. J. Kelly, President, Bell Telephone Laboratories, Inc. (1957) Dr. Clyde E. Williams, President, Battelle Memorial Institute (1958) Dr. Crawford H. Greenewalt, President, E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. (1959) Dr. Detlev W. Bronk, President, National Academy of Sciences (1960) Professor F. Seitz, University of Illinois (1961) Technical Advisory Committees

[Designated by leading scientific and technical societies to advise NBS Director in specific technical

areas. Members listed served during fiscal year 1957.] AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS

Dr. Ralph Bown, Maplewood, N. J. Dr. C. G. Suits, General Electric Company

Dean F. E. Terman, Stanford University Dr. E. W. Engstrom, Radio Corporation of America

Mr. Robert C. Sprague, Sprague Electric Company

Dr. J. A. Hutcheson, Westinghouse Electric Corporation

121
INSTITUTE OF RADIO ENGINEERS

Professor Henry G. Booker, Cornell University

Mr. Stuart L. Bailey, Jansky & Bailey

Dean William L. Everitt, University of Illinois Professor A. H. Waynick, Pennsylvania State University

Professor J. B. Wiesner, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Dr. H. W. Wells, Carnegie Institution of Washington

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS

Professor F. Seitz, University of Illinois Professor D. M. Dennison, University of Michigan

Professor J. A. Bearden, Johns Hopkins University Dr. M. Deutsch, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Professor R. B. Lindsay, Brown University

Dean R. A. Sawyer, University of Mighigaii

Professor Cecil T. Lane, Yale University

Professor Mark W. Zemansky, City College of New York

Professor A. 0. C. TSier, University of Minnesota Dr. H. M. Parker, General Electric Company

Dr. Otto Oldenberg, Harvard University

Professor John Strong, Johns Hopkins University

Professor Henry A. Fairbank, Yale University

POLICY COMMITTEE FOR MATHEMATICS

Dean Mina Rees, Hunter College

Professor Philip M. Morse, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Professor David Blackwell, University of California Professor A. H. Taub, University of Illinois Professor Mark Kac, Cornell University Dr. E. U. Condon, Washington University

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF MINING AND METALLURGICAL

ENGINEERS

Dr. Walter A. Dean, Aluminum Company of America Dr. Earle E. Schumacher, Bell Telephone Laboratories Dr. Maxwell Gensamer, Columbia University Mr. Clarence E. Sims, Battelle Memorial Institute Dr. E. C. Smith, Republic Steel Corporation Dr. Cyril S. Smith, University of Chicago

AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY

Professor N. Howell Furman, Princeton University

Professor C. S. Marvel, University of Illinois Dr. Milton Harris, Harris Research Laboratories Dr. J. R. Ruhoff, Mallinckrodt Chemical Works

Dr. Norman A. Shepard, Stamford, Conn. Professor Farrington Daniels, University of Wisconsin

AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY

Dean Elburt OsbuRN, Pennsylvania State University

Mr. Wayne Deringer, A. 0. Smith Corporation Dr. A. C. Siefert, Owens-Corning Glass Corporation

Mr. Paul V. Johnson, Structural Clay Products Research Foundation

Mr. Harry W. Thiemecke, Homer Laughlin China Company

Mr. Hubert Woods, Portland Cement Association Mr. H. N. Kraner, Bethlehem Steel Company

122
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS

Mr. James W. Parker, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Professor Dana Young, Yale University

Professor S. R. Beitler, Ohio State University

Professor C. Harold Berry, Harvard University

Mr. Paul V. Miller, Taft Pierce Manufacturing Company

Mr. Chalmer G. Kirkbride, Sun Oil Company

NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

Mr. John P. McBride, Director of Standards and Necessaries of Life, Boston, Mass. Mr. Charles M. Fuller, Sealer of Weights and Measures, Los Angeles, California Mr. Harry J. Kennedy, Continental Oil Company

Mr. Seth T. Shaw, Safeway Stores, Inc. Mr. C. J. McCaffrey, Ralph N. Brodie Company, Inc. Mr. W. A. Scheurer, Exact Weight Scale Company

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS

Dr. G. H. Hickox, Engineer Research and Development Laboratories, Fort Belvoir, Va. Dr. A. T. Ippen, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mr. Raymond C. Reese, Toledo, Ohio

AMERICAN STANDARDS ASSOCIATION

Mr. H. Thomas Hallowell, Jr., Standard Pressed Steel Company

Mr. John R. Townsend, Sandia Corporation

Mr. Arthur S. Johnson, American Mutual Liability Insurance Company

Vice Admiral G. F. Hussey, Jr., USN (Ret), American Standards Association Mr. Cyril Ainsworth, American Standards Association AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING MATERIALS

Mr. R. A. Schatzel, Rome Cable Corporation Dr. A. Allan Bates, Portland Cement Association Mr. T. A. Boyd, General Motors Corporation

Mr. Aiken W. Fisher, Fisher Scientific Company

Mr. R. E. Peterson, Westinghouse Research Laboratories 5.4. Awards and Honors

Recognition of the Bureau's contributions to science and technology often takes

the form of awards and honors from academic, industrial, and professional groups. The following list reflects such recognition bestowed on Bureau staff members during

the fiscal year 1957. HONOR

Awarded Medal

Harold Dewitt Smith Memorial Award

Rockefeller Public Service Award

Awarded Fellowship Third Prize for Paper

SOURCE

Royal Academy of Engineering

Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden. American Society for Testing Materials Committee D-13 on Textiles. Administered by Princeton" University as a national trust. NAS-NRC-NBS.

Washington, D. C, Section of ATEE.

Elected to Fellow Awarded Fellowship

RECIPIENT

Alexander, S. N.

Appel, W. D.

Branscomb, Dr. Lewis M.

Carrincton, Dr. Tucker.

Cooter, Irving L. and Mundy,

Robert E. Crandall, James R.

Deitz, Victor

Eiseman, John H.

Goldberg, Karl

Green, Melville S. Greenouch, Maurice L. Judd, Deane B. Lamb, V. A. and Young, J. P. Mann, David E.

Award of Merit Awarded Fellowship (Predoctoral) Awarded Fellowship

Fulbright Fellow Outstanding

Contribution Award.

Godlove Award

Award on Paper Awarded Fellowship

American Ceramic Society. John Simon Guggenheim Memorial

Foundation. American Gas Association. National Science Foundation. John Simon Guggenheim Memorial

Foundation. Department of State, Washington

Academy of Sciences. Inter-Society Color Council. American Electroplaters' Society. John Simon Guggenheim Memorial

Foundation.

450859—58 9 123
RECIPIENT

Park, John H. and Cones, Harold N.

Piccerelli. Dr. Robert T. Ramperc, Walter and Irwin,

L. K. Reinhart, Frank W.

Rodney, William S. Teele, Ray P. Wall, Leo A. Washer, Francis E.

HONOR

Fulbright Fellow First Prize for Paper Awarded Fellowship Richard L. Templin Award

Award of Merit Awarded Fellowship

Elected Associate Member

Arthur S. Flemming Award

Talbert Abrams Award

SOURCE

Department of State, Washington, D. C, Section of AIEE. NAS-NRC-NBS.

American Society for Testing Materials. American Society for Testing Materials. John Simon Guggenheim Memorial

Foundation.

Institute of Traffic Engineers. Junior Chamber of Commerce of Washington. American Society of Photogrammetry

.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AWARDS

Coiner, Alfred S. Corliss, Edith L. R. Dauses, Aucust B. Deitz, \ ictor R.

Geil, Glenn W.

Hahner, Clarence H. Heald, Roy H. Hudson, Ralph P. Kleinschmidt, Lawrence R. Lanc, Stewart M.

Madorsky, Samuel L. Mandel. John Mandelkern, Leo McMurdie, Howard F. Meccers, Edith R. Projector, Theodore H. Reinhart, Frank W.

Robinson, Edcar L. Smith, W. Harold

Bates. Rocer G. Eisenhart, Churchill

Fano, Leo

Jessup, Ralph S. FOSDIC Group: Greenoup.h, M. L. Cook, Herbert D. Martens, Melvin

Palask y, Ervin C. Nuclear Alignment Task Group: Ambler, Ernest Hayward, Raymond W . Hoppes, Dale D. Hudson, Ralph P.

Meritorious

Meritorious Meritorious

Meritorious Meritorious

Meritorious

Meritorious

Meritorious Meritorious

Meritorious

Meritorious

Meritorious Meritorious

Meritorious Meritorious

Meritorious

Meritorious

Meritorious Meritorious Exceptional

Exceptional Exceptional Exceptional

Service

Service

Service

Service Service

Service Service

Service

Service Service

Service

Service

Service

Service Service

Service

Service

Service Service

Service

Service

Service Service

Award

Award

Award

Award Award

Award Award

Award

Award

Award

Award Award Award

Award Award

Award Award

Award

Award Award

Award

Award

Award

Exceptional Service Award

Exceptional Service Award

Personnel. Audiometry and Speech Analysis. Instrument Fabrication. Adsorption. Metallurgy.

Optical Glass. Missile Aerodynamics. Low Temperature Thermometry.

Bituminous Technology. Phase Equilibria and Oxide Ceramics. Polymers. Applied Statistics. Polymers.

Crystal Chemistry.

Editorial Services. Aircraft Lighting Equipment.

Plastics. Engineering Metrology.

Organic Chemistry. Hydrogen-ion Measurement.

Statistical Development.

Radiation Theory and Measurement. Combustion Calorimetry Benzoic Acid Standards, and Fluorine Measurement.

Information Handling Equipment.

Electron Emission from Aligned

Nuclei.

5.5, The National Conference on Weights and Measures—Its Organization and Procedure*

Sponsored by the National Bureau of Standards

1. Objectives

The objectives of the National Conference on Weights and Measures are (a) to provide a national forum for the discussion of all questions related to weights and measures administration as carried on by regulatory officers of the States, Commonwealths,

Territories, and Possessions of the United States, their political subdivisions, and the

District of Columbia; (b) to develop a consensus on model weights and measures laws and regulations, specifications and tolerances for commercially-used weighing and

measuring devices, and testing, enforcement, and administrative procedures; (c) to encourage and promote uniformity of requirements and methods among weights and

measures jurisdictions; and (d) to foster cooperation among weights and measures

officers themselves and between them and all of the many manufacturing, industrial, business, and consumer interests affected by their official activities. *Statement formalized and approved by the Conference at its Forty -Second Meeting, June 1957.

124
2. Relationship With the National Bureau of Standards

The basic relationship between the National Bureau of Standards and the National Conference on Weights and Measures is sponsorship by the National Bureau of Standards of a means for the promotion of uniformity among the States in the complex of

laws, regulations, methods, and testing equipment that comprises regulatory control bv

the States of commercial weighing and measuring. (This sponsorship is exercised under

] authority of that portion of the organic Federal Act under which the Bureau is authorized to undertake "cooperation with the States in securing uniformity in weights and

measures laws and methods of inspection.")

Within the limitations of the funds available, the National Bureau of Standards

assists the Conference by supplying technical information, guidance, and secretarial

services, to the end that the Conference may operate effectively, constructively, and

with fairness toward all affected interests. Within the limitations of applicable Federal authorization and policy, the National

j Bureau of Standards publishes and distributes reports of the proceedings of the meetings

of the Conference, reports of Conference committees, and model laws, regulations,

specifications, and tolerances adopted by the Conference. In exercising its cooperation with the Conference, the National Bureau of Standards

j acts primarily through the Office of the Director and specifically through the Office of Weights and Measures.

3. Constituent Membership

Membership in the Conference is of three classes, active, advisory, and associate. Active membership is limited to weights and measures officers actively engaged in regulatory service and in the employ of States, Commonwealths, Territories, and

Possessions of the United States and their political subdivisions, and the District of Columbia.

Advisory membership comprises representatives of agencies of the Federal Govern

-

I ment who are concerned in any way with regulatory weights and measures officers or

! their official activities or who are interested in the objectives and activities of the

Conference.

Associate membership comprises representatives of manufacturers, industry, business, consumers, and other persons, who are interested in the objectives and activities of the Conference.

Active, advisory, and associate membership is on an annual basis and is effectuated through registration at a meeting of the Conference and, in the case of active and assoi ciate members, payment of the currently prescribed registration fee. Members of all classes have the privilege of the floor at meetings of the Conference.

4. Officers The Director of the National Bureau of Standards and the Chief of the Office of Weights and Measures of the Bureau of Standards are, ex officio, the President and the

Secretary, respectively.

A conference Chairman, four Conference vice-chairmen, a Treasurer, and a Chaplain

are elected from the active membership, their terms of office running from the adjourn- ment of the meeting at which they are elected through the succeeding meeting.

5. Committees

The annual committees are a Nominating Committee of seven members, a Resolutions Committee of seven members, and an Auditing Committee of three members,

appointed by the Conference Chairman from the active membership, and an Executive Committee consisting of all the officers, ex officio, and ten members elected from the

active membership. The committees appointed by the Chairman serve during his term of office. The term of the Executive Committee runs from the adjournment of

the meeting at which its members are elected through the succeeding meeting.

The standing committees are the Committee on Specifications and Tolerances, I lie Committee on Laws and Regulations, and the Committee on Education, each with a

j normal complement of five members appointed by the President from the active membership on a rotating basis for five-year terms (one new member being appointed, and

one old member retiring, each year), except when the appointment is to fill a vacancy

caused by the death, resignation, or retirement from active service of a committee

member, in which case the appointment is for the unexpired portion of such member's

term. Each standing committee annually selects one of its members to serve as iis chairman. At his option, the President may designate one or more advisory or associate members as consultants to a standing committee. 125
I 4

I Special committees are appointed by the President from the active, advisory, or

associate membership, in any combination deemed appropriate, as the need arises or

| the Conference requests. The life of a special committee is fixed as a definite period, not to exceed two years. At the expiration of the fixed period the committee ceases to I exist, except that the life of a committee appointed to serve for one year only may, by | action of the Conference, be extended for one year. If it is found necessary to establish a new special committee to carry on the activities of a committee so dissolved, the appointments are so made that the personnel of the new committee includes at least two persons who did not serve on the precedent committee. At his option, the President may designate the Conference Secretary as consultant or nonvoting secretary or both

to a special committee.

6. Duties of Officers i The President addresses each meeting of the Conference, normally at the opening

session, presenting matters of interest to the body and suggesting areas of discussion and study, and makes appointments to standing and special committees. The Conference Chairman is the principal presiding officer at meetings of the j Conference and of the Executive Committee, and makes appointments to the nominating, resolutions, and auditing committees. The Conference vice-chairmen assist the Conference Chairman in the discharge of

his duties, serving as directed by him. The Secretary acts as secretary and executive officer of the executive committee

and as nonvoting secretary to each standing committee, handles all details in con- nection with the arrangements for and the programs of the meetings, keeps the record

of the proceedings of the meetings, and certifies to the Treasurer the correctness of

bills rendered to the Conference for payment.

The Treasurer receives and accounts for all monies collected as registration fees, and pays all Conference bills certified by the Secretary as correct. The Chaplain performs the duties customarily attendant upon that office.

7. Duties and Fields of Operation of Committees

The Nominating Committee annually presents a nonexclusive slate of nominees

for all elective offices and for the ten elective memberships on the executive committee. i The Resolutions Committee annually presents for Conference action such resolutions j as it has been directed by the Conference to prepare, and such additional resolutions

as are deemed appropriate by the committee. The Auditing Committee annually audits the books of the Treasurer and reports

its findings to the Conference. The Executive Committee reviews the general activities of the Conference and

its committees, makes such recommendations to the Conference, the Conference

officers, and the committee chairmen as it deems appropriate, advises with the Secretary j with respect to the programs for the meetings, may at its option fill any vacancy in an elective office caused by death, resignation, or retirement from active service, and

selects the dates and headquarters for the meetings. In the interim between successive

j meetings of the Conference, the Executive Committee acts for the Conference in any emergency situations that may arise. The Committee on Specifications and Tolerances annually presents a report for Conference action. Its field of operation embraces all matters dealing with (a) specifications, tolerances, regulations, and requirements of any kind, relating to commercial scales, weights, measures, and weighing and measuring devices and

j accessories, including interpretation of such material whenever necessary, (b) standards i and testing equipment for weights and measures officials, and (c) procedures for testing

commercial equipment.

The Committee on Laws and Regulations annually presents a report for Conference

action. Its field of operation embraces all matters dealing with model laws, model i regulations, bills introduced for legislative enactment, methods of sale of commodities,

and general and administrative provisions, relating to weights and measures supervision in general, but exclusive of such matters as are within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Specifications and Tolerances. The Committee on Education annually presents a report for Conference action.

Its field of operation embraces all matters dealing with the technical training and

education of weights and measures officials, the education along weights and measures j lines of the general public and of the users of weighing and measuring devices, and

the public relations programs and procedures for weights and measures organizations, but exclusive of such matters as are within the jurisdiction of the Committee on

Specifications and Tolerances.

8. Voting

All questions before a meeting of the Conference are decided by majority vote of those active members present and voting.

126

:
9. Procedures

The Conference officers and committees observe in all of their procedures the

principles of due process—the protection of the rights and interests of affected parties;

specifically, they (a) give reasonable advance notice of contemplated committee

studies, items to be considered for committee action, and tentative or definite recom- mendations for Conference action, for the information of all parties at interest, and

(b) provide that all interested parties have an opportunity to be heard by committees

and by the Conference.

10. Changes in Organization and Procedure

Proposals for changes in organization or procedure of the Conference are not acted upon until the meeting of the Conference following the meeting at which such proposal

is made.

11. Parliamentary Procedure

Issues on parliamentary procedure are resolved according to Roberts Rules of Order. 5.6. Publications

Publications in the Bureau's Series Journal of Research. Complete scientific reports of the Bureau's research and

development, both experimental and theoretical, in physics, chemistry, engineering, and mathematics, and the results of test and instrumentation activities in these

fields are printed in the Journal. The subject matter of the reports embraces the

fields of electricity and electronics, optics and metrology, heat, atomic and radiation

physics, chemistry, mechanics, organic and fibrous materials, metallurgy, mineral

products, building technology, applied mathematics, data processing systems, basic instrumentation, weights and measures, cryogenic engineering and radio propagation.

(Annual subscription: domestic, $4.00; $1.25 additional for foreign mailing.)

Volume 57, July-December 1956

2687. Mixed path ground wave propagation: 1. Short distances. James R. Wait.

2688. Effect of object frequency on focal position of four photographic objectives. Fred W. Rosberry.

2689. An examination of the 1955 helium vapor-pressure scales of temperature.

E. Ambler and R. P. Hudson.

2690. Heats of formation of xonotlite, hillebrandite, and foshagite. Edwin S. Newman.

2691. Effect of camera tipping on the location of the principal point. Francis E. Washer.

2692. Mass spectra of some lead alkyls. Edith I. Quinn, Vernon H. Dibeler, and

Fred L. Mohler.

2693. Frequency response of second-order systems with combined coulomb and

viscous damping. Thomas A. Perls and Emile S. Sherrard.

2694. Thermal properties of aluminum oxide from 0° to 1,200° K. George T. Furu- kawa, Thomas B. Douglas, Robert E. McCoskey, and Defoe C. Ginnings.

2695. Stress-strain relationships in yarns subjected to rapid impact loading: 4. Transverse impact tests. Jack C. Smith, Frank L. McCrackin, Herbert F. Schiefer, Walter K. Stone, and Kathryn M. Towne.

2696. Thermal expansion of polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) from — 190° to + 300° C. Richard K. Kirby.

2697. Preparation of D-arabinose-5-C14 from D-glucose-6-C14

. Horace S. Isbell, Nancy B. Holt, and Harriet L. Frush.

2698. Thermal expansion of binary alkali silicate glasses. Herman F. Shermer:

2699. Investigation of an alternating- current bridge for the measurement of core losses in ferromagnetic materials at high flux densities. Irvin L. Cooter and William P.

Harris. 2700. Ionization and dissociation of the trifluoromethyl halides by electron impact. Vernon H. Dibeler, Robert M. Reese, and Fred L. Mohler.

2701. Techniques in high-resolution coincidence counting. George H. Minion.

2702. Chemical activity of gamma-irradiated polymethyl methacrylate. Leo A. Wall and Daniel W. Brown.

2703. Purification of substances by a process of freezing and fractional melting under

equilibrium conditions. Augustus R. Glasgow, Jr., and Gaylon Boss.

2704. A high-voltage pulse generator and tests on an improved deflecting system of a cold-cathode oscillograph. Harold N. Cones.

2705. Dissociation constant of piperidinium ion from 0° to 50° C and related thermo- dynamic quantities. Roger G. Bates and Vincent E. Bower. 127
2706. Color evaluation in the cane sugar industry. Victor R. Deitz. 2707. System for classification of structurally related carbohydrates. Horace S. IsbeJl. 2708. Infrared spectra of D-talose monobenzoate and related substances. H. S. Isbell, J. E. SteM art, H. L. Frush, J. D. Mover, and F. A. Smith.

2709. Small oil -free bearings. Hobart S. White.

2710. Preliminary spectroradiometric measurements of the solar constant. Ralph

Stair and Russell G. Johnston.

2711. Infrared spectrum of acetylene. Harrv C. Allen, Jr., Eugene D. Tidwell, and

Earle K. Plyler. 2712. Variation of peak temperature with heating rate in differential thermal analysis.

Homer E. Kissinger. 2713. Mass spectrum of sulfur vapor. Paul Bradt, Fred L. Mohler, and Vernon H.

Dibeler. 2714. Calibration of vibration pickups by the reciprocity method. Samuel Levy and

Raymond R. Bouche.

2715. Method for the controlled burning of combustible materials and analyses of the combustion gases. Alan Schriesheim.

2716. Efficiency of 47r-crystal-scintillation counting: 1. Experimental technique and

results. C. C. Smith, H. H. Seliger, and J. Steyn.

2717. Efficiency of 47r -crystal -scintillation counting: 2. Dead-time and coincidence

corrections. \V. B. Mann and H. H. Seliger. 2718. Entropy changes in rarefaction waves. Robert F. Dressier. 2719. Statistical investigation of the fatigue life of deep-groove ball bearings. J. Lieblein and M. Zelen. 2720. Properties of barium titanium silicate glasses. Given W. Cleek and Edgar H.

Hamilton.

2721. Scavenging characteristics of a two-stroke -cycle engine as determined by skipcycle operation. P. M. Ku and T. F. Trimble.

2722. Synthesis of /3-gentiobiose-l-C14. Robert Schaffer and Horace S. Isbell. 2723. Hydration of aluminous cements and its relation to the phase equilibria in the system lime-alumina -water. Lansing S. Wells and Elmer T. Carlson. 2724. Axial performance of spectacle lenses. Francis E. Washer.

2725. A survey of negative ions in mass spectra of polyatomic molecules. Robert M.

Reese, Vernon H. Dibeler, and Fred L. Mohler.

2726. Heat conduction through insulating supports in very low temperature equip- ment. R. P. Mikesell and R. B. Scott. Volume 58, January-June 1957

2 727. Influence of a ridge on the low-frequency ground wave. James R. Wait and

Anabeth Murphy.

2728. Phase-diagram study of allovs in the iron-chromium-molybdenum-nickel system.

C. J. Bechtoldt and H. C. Vacher.

2729. Construction of a Kosters double-image prism. J. B. Saunders.

2730. The Kosters interferometer. J. B. Saunders.

2731. Spectral absorbance of some aqueous solutions in the range 10° to 40° C. Eliza beth E. Sager and Fleur C. Byers.

2732. Radiant-heat transfer between nongray parallel plates. Stanley Goodman.

2733. Wavelengths from iron-halide lamps. Robert W. Stanley and William F. Meggers.

2734. Resistance of flow in Teflon and brass tubes. Marion R. Brockman.

2735. Theory of dielectric relaxation for the three-dimensional polar rotator: Lattice models leading to bimodal loss curves. John D. Hoffman and Benjamin M. Axilrod. 2736. Classification of perovskite and other AB03-type compounds. Robert S. Roth.

2737. Thermal expansion of some nickel alloys. Peter Hidnert.

2738. Intermolecular forces in air. Abraham S. Friedman.

2739. Matrices of spin-orbit interaction of the electron configuration rf4 s. W. R. Bozman and R. E. Trees. 2740. A high-speed computer for predicting radioactive fallout. J. H. Wright, L. Taback, and H. K. Skramstad.

2741. Standard ionization-chamber requirements for 250- to 500-kilovolt X-rays. H. O. Wyckoff and F. S. Kirn.

2742. Relative dimensional stabilities of a selected series of stainless -steel decimeter

bars. Benjamin L. Page.

2743. Thermal quenching in alpha- and gamma-excited fluorescent solutions. H. H.

Seliger and C. A. Ziegler. 2744. Two-parameter gloss methods. I. Nimeroff.

2745. Glassy state transitions of poly-(chlorotrifluoroethylene), poly-(vinylidene

fluoride), and their copolymers. L. Mandelkern, G. M. Martin, and F. A. Quinn, Jr. 2746. Measurement of the corrosion rate of iron by polarization techniques. W. J. Schwerdtfeger.

128
2747. Numerical computation of the transfinite diameter of two collinear line seg- ments. Philip Davis.

2748. Influence of crystallographic orientation on the corrosion rate of aluminum in acids and alkalies. Theodore H. Orem.

2749. Comparisons of national radium standards. T. P. Loftus, W. B. Mann, L. F.

Paolella, L. L. Stockmann, and \\ . J. Youden.

2750. Temper brittleness of boron-treated steels. Samuel J. Rosenberg.

2751. Optical and volumetric relaxation effects in glass following removal of high

hydrostatic pressures. C. Weir, S. Spinner, I. Malitson, and W. Rodney.

2752. Reference wavelengths for calibrating prism spectrometers. Earle K. Plyler, L. R. Blaine, and Matthew Nowak.

2753. Tensile properties of copper, nickel, and 70 -percent -copper—30-percent-nickel

and 30 -percent -copper—70 -percent -nickel alloys at high temperatures. William D. Jenkins, Thomas G. Digges, and Carl R. Johnson.

2754. Accuracy of the Cutler -Hammer recording gas calorimeter when used with

gases of high heating value. John H. Eiseman and Elwin A. Potter. 2755. Frequency conversion with nonlinear reactance. Chester H. Page.

2756. Amplitude and phase of the low-frequency ground wave near a coastline. James

R. Wait.

2757. Vessels for the storage and transport of liquid hydrogen. B. W. Birmingham,

E. H. Brown, C. R. Class, and A. F. Schmidt.

2758. Infrared spectra of polychlorobenzenes. Earle K. Plyler, Harry C. Allen, Jr., and E. D. Tidwell. 2759. Infrared spectra of chromatographically fractionated asphalts. James E.

Stewart.

2760. Thermal conductivity of nitrogen from 50° to 500° C and 1 to 100 atmospheres. R. L. Nuttall and D. C. Ginnings.

2761. Apatites deficient in divalent cations. Aaron S. Posner and Alvin Perloff. 2762. Slotted-cylinder antenna with a dielectric coating. James R. Wait and Walter

Mientka.

2763. Emission spectra of actinium. William F. Meggers, Mark Fred, and Frank S. Tomkins.

2764. Thermal design of large storage vessels for liquid hydrogen and helium. Russell B. Scott. 2765. Further studies on the pyrolysis of polytetrafluoreothylene in the presence of various gases. J. D. Michaelsen and L. A. Wall.

2766. A nonlinear instrument diaphragm. Fidel Cordero, Harry Matheson, and

Daniel P. Johnson.

2767. Optical studies of crazed plastic surfaces. Sanford B. Newman and Irvin Wolock.

Technical News Bulletin. This monthly publication summarizes the current research development, and test activities of the Bureau. The articles are brief, with emphasis on the results of research and their significance, chosen for their importance to other

scientists, engineers, and to industry. Resumes of longer research reports, important

national and international conferences on fundamental science in which the Bureau

has represented the Nation, and a bibliography of all publications by members of the

staff as published are included. The Bulletin is designed to give a succinct account

of the current work of the Bureau. (Annual subscription: domestic, $1.00; 35 cents

additional for foreign mailing.) Basic Radio Propagation Predictions. This is a monthly publication for those concerned with radio communication in determining the best sky-wave frequencies over any path at any time of day for average conditions for the month of prediction,

which are made three months in advance. Charts of extraordinary -wave critical frequency for the F2 layer and of maximum usuable frequency for a transmission

distance of 4,000 km, of highest frequency of sporadic E in excess of 15 Mc are in- cluded. In addition, there are various maps, charts, diagrams, and nomograms needed

to make practical application of the world-contour charts, together with examples of

their use. (Annual subscription: domestic, $1.00; 25 cents additional for foreign

mailing.)

Circulars. Circulars are compilations of information on various subjects related

to the Bureau's scientific, technical, and engineering activities. They include not

only the results of Bureau studies, but give data of general interest from other sources.

510. Supplement I. Tables of chemical kinetics, homogeneous reactions. 539. Volume VI. Standard X-ray diffraction powder patterns. Howard E. Swanson,

Nancy T. Gilfrich, and Marlene I. Cook.

129
552—-2d Edition. Standard samples. A catalog of reference materials issued by the National Bureau of Standards.

575. Bibliography on nitrogen 15. M. W. Chapman and H. P. Broida.

576. Automotive antifreezes. Frank L. Howard, Donald B. Brooks, and Ronald E.

Streets. 577. Energy loss and range of electrons and positrons. Ann T. Nelms.

578. Suggested practices for electrical standardizing laboratories. Francis B. Silsbee. 579. Underground corrosion. Melvin Romanoff.

580. Bibliography on ignition and spark-ignition systems. George F. Blackburn.

581. Metrology of gage blocks.

582. Worldwide occurrence of sporadic E. E. K. Smith, Jr. 583. X-ray attenuation coefficients from 10 kev to 100 Mev. Gladys White Grodstein. Miscellaneous Publications. As the name implies, this series includes materia],

which, because of its character or because of its size, does not fit into any of the other

regular publication series. Some of these are charts, administrative pamphlets,

Annual Reports, Weights and Measures Conference Reports, and other subjects

appropriate to the Miscellaneous series. 218. Hydraulic research in the United States, 1956. Helen K. Middleton.

219. Report of the 41st N ational Conference on Weights and Measures 1956.

220. Annual report 1956 National Bureau of Standards. Handbooks. These are recommended codes of engineering and industrial practice,

including safety codes, developed in cooperation with the national organizations and

others concerned. In many cases the recommended requirements are given official status through their incorporation in local ordinances by State and municipal regula- tory bodies.

62. Report of the International Commission of Radiological Units and Measurements

(ICRU), 1956. Applied Mathematics Series. Mathematical tables, manuals, and studies. 47. Contributions on partially balanced incomplete block designs with two associate

classes. Willard H. Clatworthy.

48. Fractional factorial experiment designs for factors at tM7o levels. Building Materials and Structures Reports. This series reports the results of work

at the National Bureau of Standards in the field of building research. The objective

is to provide the government, the interested professions, and the building industry with technical data useful in the preparation of building codes, standards, and engineering design criteria. The subjects of primary interest are the properties of building

materials, structures, equipment, and facilities. 140—2d Edition. Building construction and maintenance. Edith R. Meggers.

148. Fifteen-year exposure test of porcelain enamels. Dwight G. Moore and William N. Harrison.

150. Methods of testing small fire extinguishers. H. Shoub, T. G. Lee, and J. M.

Cameron.

Publications in Outside Journals*

Alexander, R. L., The synthesis and infrared absorption spectra of some m-polyphenvls, J. Organic Chem. 21, 1464 (1956). Allen, H. C, Jr., and Plyler, E. K., v3 band of methane, J. Chem. Phys. 26, 4, 972

(April 1957) Letter. Allen, H. C, Jr., Plyler, E. K., and Blaine, L. R., The emission spectrum of OH from

2.8 to 4.1 fx, Spectrochem. Acta 9, 126 (1957). Allen, H. C, Jr., Plyler, E. K., and Blaine, L. R., Infrared spectrum of carbonyl sulfide,

J. Chem. Phys. 26, 2, 400 (Feb. 1957).

Allen, H. C, Jr., Tidwell, E. D., and Plyler, E. K., Infrared spectra of hydrogen

cyanide and deuterium cyanide, J. Chem. Phys. 25, No. 2, 302 (Aug. 1956). Allen, H. C, Jr., Plyler, E. K., and Blaine, L. R., The infrared spectrum and rotational constants of carbon disulfide, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 78, 4843 (1956). Allen, H. C, Jr., Tidwell, E. D., and Plyler, E. K., The infrared spectrum of acetylene-dj, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 78, 3034 (1956). Allen, H. C., Jr., and Plyler, E. K., Infrared spectrum of hydrogen sulfide, J. Chem.

Phys. 25, No. 6, 1132 (Dec. 1956).

* For completeness, a few references to publications issued previous to July 1956 are included. 130
Ambier, E., and Hudson, R. P., Spin-spin absorption in cbronic methylammonium

alum and manganous chloride tetrahydrate at very low temperatures, Physica

XXII, 866 (1956). Ambler, E., and Hudson, R. P., Spin-spin absorption in manganous chloride tetra- hydrate, Phys. Rev. 104, 1506 (1956). Ambler, E., and Hudson, R. P., Spin-spin relaxation at very low temperatures in chromic methylammonium alum, Phys. Rev. 104, 1500 (1956). Appel, W. D., International textile work shows fast progress, Mag. of Standards 28, 38 (Feb. 1957). Antosiewicz, H. A., Stable systems of differential equations with integrable perturbation term, J. London Math. Soc. 31, 208 (1956). Astin, A. V., The engineer at the INational Bureau of Standards, Am. Engineer 26, 9, 18 (Sept. 1956). Astin, A. V., Bullard, E. C, and Lewis, W. B. International comparisons of radio- activity standards, Science 123, 895 (1956). Aston, G. H., and Attix, F. H., An intercomparison of the roentgen standards of Great

Britain and USA, Acta Radiolog. 46, 747 (Dec. 1956).

Barsis, A. P., Some aspects of tropospheric radio wave propagation, Trans. IRE

PGBTS-6, 1-10 (Oct. 1956). Bass, A. M., and Broida, H. P., Sharp line absorption in silica near 3400 cm-1

, J. Opt.

Soc. Am. 47, 163 (1957). Bates, R. G., and Bower, V. E., Alkaline solutions for pH control, Anal. Chem. 28, 1322 (Aug. 1956). Bates, R. G., Meaning and standardization of pH measurements, ASTM Symposium

onpH Measurements, Special Tech. Pub. No. 190 (1956). Bates, R. G., pH and the modern analyst, Anal. Chem. 29, 15A (1957). Bates, R. G., Guggenheim, E. A., Harned, H. S., Ives, D. J. G., Janz, G. J., Monk,

C. B., Robinson, R. A., Stokes, R. H., and Wynne-Jones, W. F. J., Standard elec- trode potential of the silver, silver chloride electrode, J. Chem. Phys. 25, 361 (Aug.

1956). Bay, Z., and Grisamore, IN. T., High speed flip-flops for the millimicrosecond region,

IRE Trans, on Elec. Computers, EC-5, 3 (Sept. 1956). Bay, Z., and Grisamore, N. T., Pulse generator and high-speed memore circuit, IRE

Trans, on Elec. Computers, 213 (Dec. 1956). Bay, Z., Mann, W. B., Seliger, H. H., and Wyckoff, H. O., Measurement of Wair for sulfur-35 beta-rays, Radiol. Research 5, 4, Abstract 9 (Oct. 1956). Bekkedahl, N., Polymer structure research at the National Bureau of Standards, Revue General de Caoutchouc 33, 1129 (Dec. 1956). Bender, P. L., Diffusion of particles with memory, Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 43, 5, 412 (May 1957). Bennett, J. A., The distinction between initiation and propagation of a fatigue crack,

Intern. Conf. on Fatigue of Metals, London (Sept. 1956). Berger, M. J., Effects of boundary and inhomogeneities on the penetration of gamma

radiation, USNRDL Revs, and Lectures 1, 29, 47 (Feb. 1957).

Berl, W. G., Gayhart, E. L., Olsen, H. L., Broida, H. P., and Shuler, K. E., J. Chem.

Phys. 25, 4, 797 (Oct. 1956). Bestul, A. B., Kinetics of capillary shear degradation in concentrated polymer solutions,

J. Chem. Phys. 24, 6, 1196 (June 1956). Blau, E. J., and Mulligan, B. W., Raman spectrum of triethylborane, J. Chem. Phys.

26, 1085 (1957). Branscomb, L. M., and Smith, S. J., Electron affinity of atomic sulfur and empirical

affinities of the fight elements, J. Chem. Phys. 25, 3, 598 (Sept. 1956). Branscomb, L. M., Negative ions, Chapter, Advances in electronics and electron physics, Academic Press, New York (1957). Branscomb, L. M., Photodetachment of atmospheric negative ions, Conf. on Chem.

Aeronomy, Pergamon Press, London (1957). Brauer, G. M., Davenport, R. M., and Hansen, W. C, Accelerating effect of aminos on polymerization of methyl methacrylate, Modern Plastics 34, 3, 153 (Nov. 1956). Breckenridge, F. C, A configuration of taillights and brakelights, Reports of INight

Visibility Committee, Highway Research Board, Bui. 146, p. 56 (1956). Brenner, A., Electrodeposition of metals from organic solutions, Part I, General

Survey, J. Electrochem. Soc. 103, 652 (1956). Brodell, F. P., and Brenner, A., Further studies of an electronic thickness gage: cir- cuitry, operating characteristics, and calibration, Plating 44, 591 (1957). Broida, H. P., and Kostkowski, H. J., Experimental proof fortheexisteneeof'nonilH'inial

rotational distributions of OH (

2 S+) in flames, J. Chem. Phys. 25, 4, 676 (Oct. 1956). Broida, H. P., and Heath, D. F., Luminous reaction between carbon monoxide and

atomic nitrogen, J. Chem. Phys. 26, 1352 (1957).

131
Broida, H. P., and Moore, C. E., Molecules in the solar spectrum, 7th Intern. Astro- phys. Symposium Proc. (1956). Broida, H. P., and Heath, D. F., Spectroscopic survey of energy distributions of OH,

C9 and CH radicals in low-pressure acetylene-oxygen flames, J. Chem. Phys. 26, 223 (1957). Broida. H. P., Stabilization of free radicals at low temperatures, Ann. N. Y. Acad.

Sci. 530 (1957). Brode, Wallace R., Steric effects in Azo- and indigo dyes, Recent Advances in Chem.

Colouring Matters, London, SP-4, 1-16 (1956). Budden, K. G., The waveguide theory of the propagation of very low frequency radio waves, Proc. IRE 45, 772 (June 1957). Bussey, H. E., and Steinert, L. A., An exact solution for a cylindrical cavity containing

a gyromagnetic material, Proc. IRE 45, 1, 693 (May 1957).

Cassel, J. M., Reaction of nitrous acid with collagen, J. Am. Leather Chemists' Assoc.

51, 406 (1956). Caswell, R. S., Neutron-insensitive gamma-ray dosimeter, Radiology 68, 101 (Jan. 1957). Caswell, R. S., Gabbard, R. F., Padgett, D. W., and Doering, W. P., Attenuation of 14.1-Mev neutrons in water, Nuclear Sci. and Engr. 2, 143 (April 1957). Caul, H. J., Sweeney, W. T., and Paffenbarger, G. C, Relationship between residual monomer and some properties of self-curing dental resins, J. Am. Dental Assoc. 53, 60 (July 1956). Caul, H. j., Wall, L. W., and Acquista, N., Determination of the monomer content of polvmethyl methacrylate, J. Am. Dental Assoc. 53, 56 (July 1956). Chapman, S., The aurora in middle and low latitudes, Nature 179, 4549, 7-11 (Jan. 1957). Chapman, S., and Suguira, M., Arc-lengths along the lines of force of a magnelic dipole,

J. Geophys. Research 61, 485 (Sept. 1956). Coblentz, C., and Achenbach, P., Design and performance of a portable infiltration meter, Trans. Am. Soc. Heating and Air Conditioning Engrs. (1957). Cohn, H., Some algebraic number theory estimates based on the Dedekind eta- function, Amer. J. Math. 78, 791 (Oct. 1956). Connor, J. H., Reid, W. E., Jr., and Wood, G. B., Electrodeposition of metals from

organic solutions, Part V: Electrodeposition of magnesium and magnesium alloys,

J. Eleclrochem. Soc. 104, 38 (1957). Connor, J. H., and Brenner, A., Electrodeposition of metals from organic solutions, Part II: Further studies on the electrodeposition of aluminum from a hydride bath,

J. Electrochem. Soc. 103, 652 (1956). Cook, R. K., and Wasilik, J. H., An elasticity and dielectric loss of quartz, J. Appl.

Phys. 27, 7, 836 (July 1956). Cook, R. K., Variation of elastic constants and static strains with hydrostatic pressure: a method for calculation from ultrasonic measurements, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 29, 445 (April 1957). Cook, R. K., Absorption of sound by patches of absorbent materials, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 29, 329 (Mar. 1957).

Corliss, E. L. R., Transients in signal analysis, J. Wash. Acad. Sci. 46, 305 (Oct. 1956).

Costrell, L., and Attix. F. H., Automatic timer simplihes small-current measurements,

Nucleonics 15, 2, 83 (Feb. 1957). Cottony, H. V., High-gain antennas for \HF scatter propagation, Trans, IRE on Commun. Systems CS-4, 1, 56 (1956). Crichlow. W. Q., Noise investigation at VLF by the National Bureau of Standards,

Proc. IRE 45 (June 1957). Crichlow, W. Q., and Disney, R. T., Report on revision of atmospheric radio noise

data, CCIR Report No. 65, VIII Plenary Assembly, Warsaw (1956) (International

Radio Consultative Committee, Secretariat, Geneva, Switzerland).

Crow, E. L., Confidence intervals for a proportion, Biometrika 43, parts 3 and 5, 423

(Dec. 1956). Dahl, S., and Mandel, J., A collaborative study on the cinchonine method for deter- mination of lignosulfonates in vegetable extract blends, J. Am. Leather Chemists'

Assoc. 52, 184 (April 1957). Danos, M., Electron injection in betatrons, Bui. Am. Phys. Soc, Ser. II, 1, 344 Abstract

(1956). Dantzig, G. B., and Hoffman, A. J., Dilworth's theorem on partially ordered sets, Annals of Math. Studies No. 38, 207 (1956). Davis, M. M., and Hetzer, H. B., The ionic dissociation of 2, 6-dimethvlbenzoic acid

in water, J. Phys. Chem. 61, 125 (1957). Davis, M. M., and Hetzer, H. B., The ionic dissociation of 2, 4-, 2, 6-, 3, 4-dichloro- benzoic acids in water, Phys. Chem. 61, 123 (1957). Dibeler, V. H., Analytical mass spectrometry, Org. Analysis 3, 387 (1956).

132
Dibeler, V. H., Reese, R. M., and Mohler, F. L., Ionization and dissociation of Hexafluorobenzene by electron impact, J. Chem. Phys. 26, 2, 304 (Feb. 1957).

Dill, R. S., Specifications, standards and codes, governmental aspects, Symposium Am.

Soc. Heating and Air Conditioning Engrs. 138 (Aug. 1956). Doggett, J. A., and Spencer, L. V., Elastic scattering of electrons and positrons by

point nuclei, Phys. Rev. 103, 6, 1597 (Sept. 1956). Douglas, T. B., Specific heats of liquid metals and liquid salts, Trans. ASME 79, 23

(1957). Dressier, R. F., Invited discussion on the Haringx diaphragm theory, Trans. Am. Soc. Mech. Engrs. 79, 1, 61 (Jan. 1957).

Ehrlich, M., Disaster monitoring with amateur photographic film and with dental X-ray film, Radiology 68, 2, 251 (Feb. 1957). Ehrlich, M., and McLaughlin, W. L., Reciprocity law for X-rays, Part 1: validity for high-intensity exposures in the negative region, J. Opt. Soc. Am. 46, 10, 797 (Oct. 1956).

Ehrlich, M., Reciprocity law for X-rays, Part 2: failure in the reversal region, J. Opt.

Soc. Am. 46, 10, 801 (Oct. 1956). Ehrlich, M., A photographic personnel dosimeter for X-radiation in the range from

30 kev. to beyond 1 Mev., Radiology 68, 4, 549 (April 1957). Elbourn, R. D., The role of electronic computers in air traffic control, IRE Convention

Record (1957).

Elliott, D. A., Discussion of E. S. Sherrard on nonlinear functions of two independent

variables, Trans. ASME (April 1957). Eubanks, A. G., Crandall, J. R., and Richmond, J. C, Flexibility of thin porcelain

enameled sheet steel, Bui. Am. Ceram. Soc. 36, 2, 59 (1957). Fan, K., On systems of linear inequalities, Annals of Math. Studies 38, 99-156 (Prince- ton Univ. Press, 1956). Fano, L., Hubbell, J., and Beckett, C. W., Compressibility factor, density, specific heat, enthalpy, entropy, free energy function, viscosity, and thermal conductivity

of steam, NACA TN 3273 (Aug. 1956). Fano, XL, Description of states in quantum mechanics by density matrix and operator

techniques, Rev. Modern Phys. 29, 1, 74 (Jan. 1957)." Fano, U., Atomic theory of electromagnetic interactions in dense materials, Phys. Rev.

103, 5, 1202 (Sept. 1956). Feldmann, A. A., Techniques for electroforming of precision waveguide components in the millimeter wavelengths, Rev. Sci. Instr. 28, 295 (April 1957). Ferguson, R. E., and Broida, H. P., Stable carbon isotope analysis of optical spectros- copy, Anal. Chem. 28, 1436 (Sept. 1956).

Florin, R. E., and Mears, T. W., High-temperature liquids. Report ENL 2446, 89

(Oct. 1954) (Conference on Reactor Heat Transfer, Brookhaven National Laboratories, Brookhaven, Long Island, N. Y.). Flory, P. J., and Mandelkern, L., Melting of copolymers, J. Polymer Sci. 21, 98, 345

(Aug. 1956). Flynn, J. H., A method for determining rate equation for reactions in which the concentration of the reactant is unknown, J. Phys. Chem. 60, 1332 (1956). Flynn, J. H., A function to aid in the fitting of kinetic data to a rate equation, J. Phys.

Chem. 61, 110 (1957).

Forziati, A. F., Losee, F. L., Pigman, W. W., Jennings, W. H., and Lawson, M. E., Jr., In vitro production of experimental enamel caries, J. Am. Dental Assoc. 53, 655

(Dec. 1956). Foster, B. E., Discussion of the paper "Heavy Steel -Aggregate Concrete'" by E. I. Fiesenheiser and B. A. Wasil, J. Am. Concrete Inst. Part 2, 28 (6), 1143 (1956). Frederikse, H. P. R., and Hosier, W. R., Galvanomagnetic effects in n-tvpe InSb at 4.2°K, Can. J. Phys. 34, 1377 (1956). Frederikse, H. P. R., and Scanlon, W. W., Chapter 6.5 of: Methods of Experimental

Physics, Vol. VI 6.5 Thermoelectric Effects (1956). Frederikse, H. P. R., Hosier, W. R., and Roberts, D. E., Electrical conduction in magnesium stannide at low temperatures, Phys. Rev. 101, 6, 1653 (Mar. 15, 1956). Frederikse, H. P. R., and Blunt, R. F., Photoconductivity and photovoltaic effect in intermetallic compounds, Photoconductivity Conference at Atlantic City (John

Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, N. Y.) 414-426 (1956). Friedman, A. S., Chemiluminescence as a tool in the study of liquid flow boundaries,

J. Appl. Phys. 27, 417 (1956). Fullmer, I. H., Why screw threads must be everybody's business. Proc. 7th National Conf. on Standards (Oct. 1956). Gardner, I. C, Precision measurement, Ordnance XLI, 222 (May-June 1957).

Geil, G. W., and Carwile, N. L., Research on effects of prestraining and notch sharp- ness on the notch strength of materials, WADC Tech. Report 56-102 (Oct. I ( ).">(>). Geisser, S., A note on the normal distribution, Ann. Math. Stat. 27, 858 (Sept. 1956).

133
George, W. D., A frequency standard at low temperature, Proc. of the 10th Annual

Symposium on Frequency Control. Signal Corps Engineering Laboratories, 197 (May 1956). Glasgow, A. R., Ross, G. S., Horton, A. T., Enagonio, D., Dixon, H. D., Saylor, C. P., Furukawa, G. T., Reilly, M. L., and Henning, J. M., Comparison of cryoscopic de- terminations of purity of benzene by thermometric and calorimetric procedures,

Proc. of I. U. P. A. C. International Symposium on Purity Control by Thermal

Analysis, Amsterdam (April 1957). Glasgow, A. R., Jr., and Tenenbaum, M., Cryoscopic determination of purity o

highly reactive substances, Anal. Chem. 28, 1907 (1956). Goldberg, K., Mathematics—unimodular matrices of order 2 that commute, J. Wash.

Acad. Sci. 46, 11 (Nov. 1956). Gordon, C. L., and Wichers, E., Purification of mercury and its physical properties, Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 65, 369 (1957). Green, M. S., The Boltzmann equation from the statistical mechanical point of view,

J. Chem. Phys. 25, 836 (Nov. 1956). Greenfeld, S. H., and Schriesheim, A., Water-soluble degradation products of asphalt,

ASTM Bui. (Feb. 1957). Greenspan, M., Propagation of sound in five monoatomic gases, J. Acoust. Soc. Amer. 28, 4, 644 (July 1956). Hamer, W. J., and Craig, D. N., A reproducible and stable silver -silver oxide elec- trode, J. Electrochem. Soc. 104, 206 (1957). Hammond, H. K., Gloss measurement—past, present, and future, Am. Paint J., 94 (May 20, 1957). Harman, G. G., and Raybold, R. L., High frequency induced electroluminescence in zinc sulfide, Phys. Rev. 104, 6, 1498 (Dec. 1956). Harman, G. G., A crystal mount and techniques for measuring high frequency induced

electroluminescence, Rev. Sci. Instr. (Feb. 1957). Harman, G. G., Electrical properties of samarium doped barium titanate, Phys. Rev.

(June 15, 1957). Hartley, J. L., Hudson, D. C, Sweeney, W. T., and Dickson, G., Development of methods for evaluation of rotating dental diamond abrasive instruments, J. Am.

Dental Assoc. 54, 637 (May 1957). Hartley, J. L., Hudson, D. C, Sweeney, W. T., and Richardson, W. P., Cutting characteristics of dental burs as shown by high speed photomicrography, U. S. Armed

Forces Med. J. 8, 209 (Feb. 1957). Hayward, E., and Fuller, E. G., Parameters of the 15-Mev X-rays scattered by C12

, Physica 22, 1138 (1956) Abstract. Hayward, E., and Fuller, E. G., Photon self-absorption and scattering by the 15.1- Mev level in C12

, Phys. Rev. 106, 991 (1957). Hayward, R. W., and Hoppes, D. D., Radiative orbital electron capture in vanadium49, Phys. Rev. 104, 1, 183 (Oct. 1956). Heindl, R. A., and Pendergast, W. L., Results of laboratory tests of high duty and

super duty fireclay plastic refractories, Bui. Am. Ceram. Soc. 36, 1, 6, (1957). Herbstreit, J. W., and Thompson, M. C, Measurements of the phase of radio waves

received over transmission paths with electrical lengths varying as a result of atmospheric turbulence, Proc. IRE 43, 1391 (Oct. 1955). Hermach, F. L., Power supplies for 60-cycle tests of electrical instruments and meters, ISA Proc. 11, Paper No. 56-21-3 (1956). Herzfeld, C. M., and Bass, A. M., Frozen free radicals, Sci. American (Mar. 1957). Herzfeld, C. M., Incomplete equilibrium and temperature measurement, J. Wash.

Acad. Sci. 46, 269 (1956). Hidnert, L., and Krider, H. S., Tables 4f-l through 4f-6 on thermal expansion, Am.

Inst. Phys. Handbook (1957). Hilsenrath, J., Sources of transport coefficients and correlations of thermodynamic

and transport data, Agard Selected Combustion Problems, II (1956). Hobbs, R. B., New paper products in competition with textiles, Am. Dyestuff Reporter

45, 479 (July 1956). Hobbs, R. B., A technological challenge to the textile industry, Can. Textile J. 74, 53 (April 1957). Hobbs, R. B., and Wilson, W. K., Annual review of pulp and paper industry, Ind. Eng. Chem. 49, 42A (Jan. 1957). Hoffman, A. J., and Kuhn, H. W., On systems of distinct representatives, Annals of Math. Studies No. 38 (Princeton Univ. Press) 199 (1956). Hoffman, A. J., and Kruskal, J. B., Integral boundary points of convex polyhedra, Annals of Math. Studies No. 38 (Princeton Univ. Press) 223 (1956). Hoffman, A. J., Generalization of a theorem of Konig, J. Wash. Acad. Sci. 46, 211

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(The following U. S. Patents have been granted to NBS inventors. Assigned to the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Department noted in parentheses.)

Almquist, Nils T., Domsitz, Myron G., and Shufer, Max, No. 2,766,964, Oct. 16, 1956, Self-governing turbine (Army).

Andrews, Laurence M., and Rabinow, Jacob, No. 2,799,287, Jan. 29, 1957, Contact

fuze (Army).

Armstrong, Richard W., No. 2,750,753, June 19, 1956, Self-powered liquid oxygen pump and vaporizer (Navy).

Boggs, Gail E., No. 2,753,449, July 3, 1956, Superheterodyne mixer with negative feedback for stabilizing conversion gain (Commerce).

Breckenridge, Robert G., No. 2,749,596, June 12, 1956, Method of making titanium

dioxide rectifiers (Commerce).

Brenner, Abner, and Sherfey, Joseph M., No. 2,765,270, Oct. 2, 1956, Alkali titanium

halide compositions (Commerce).

Brenner, Abner, and Wagoner, Billy J., No. 2,751,552, June 19, 1956, Thickness gage

for metallic coatings (Commerce).

Bussey, Howard E., No. 2,763,001, Sept. 11, 1956, Reflected-ray eliminators (Commerce).

Couch, Dwight E., and Brenner, Abner, No. 2,740,755, Apr. 3, 1956, Electropolishing with phosphorus acid (Commerce).

Cunningham, James A., No. 2,769,164, Oct. 30, 1956, Multichannel pulse-height

analyzer (Commerce).

Davis, John H., No. 2,766,134, Oct. 9, 1956, Method for restoring original appearance

of impregnated leather by dissolving the impregnant on the furnace of the leather (Commerce).

Grauer, Oscar H., No. 2,772,597, Dec. 4, 1956, Precision refractometer (Commerce).

Henry, Robert L., Jr., No. 2,771,663, Nov. 27, 1956, Method of making modular

electronic assemblies (Navy).

Henry, Robert L. Jr., No. 2,774,014, Dec. 11, 1956, Modular electronic assembly

(Navy).

Horton, Avery T., No. 2,754,180, July 10, 1956, Apparatus for growing single crystals

and purifying substances (Commerce).

Isbell, Horace S., and Schaffer, Robert, No. 2,779,760, Jan. 29, 1957, Lithium maltobionate and process for making same (Commerce).

142
Kalmus, Henry P., and Hedrich, Albert L., No. 2,752,435, June 26, 1956, Commutator

switch for use in flow measurement apparatus (Commerce).

Koch, William J., No. 2,781,273, Feb. 12, 1957, Method of making block talc and

related materials (Commerce).

Kuder, Milton L., No. 2,761,968, Sept. 4, 1956, Electronic analogue-to-digital converters (Commerce).

LeReche, John A., and Projector, Theodore H., No. 2,784,640, March 12, 1957, Method for determining focus and quality of searchlight reflectors (Navy).

Nuckolis, Richard G., No. 2,747,030, May 22, 1956, Stabilized synchronous amplifiers

(Commerce).

Parker, Leland L., No. 2,752,615, July 3, 1956, Marker buoy (Navy).

Pawley, Myron G., Parker, Leland L., and Hereth, Walter A., No. 2,786,105, Mar. 19, 1957, Telemetering in-flight calibrator (Navy).

Reaves, John H., No. 2,783,314, Feb. 26, 1957, Square-wave amplifier circuits (Commerce).

Selby, Myron C, No. 2,782,377, Feb. 19, 1957, Micropotentiometers, (Commerce).

Slutz, Ralph J., No. 2,748,269, May 29, 1956, Regenerative shaping of electric pulses

(Commerce).

Stiehler, Robert D., and Gregg, Andrew P., No. 2,766,618, Oct. 16, 1956, Tire tester (Commerce).

Thompson, Moody C, Jr., No. 2,761,971, Sept. 4, 1956, Crystal -controlled blocking

oscillators (Commerce).

Wood, Reuben E., No. 2,762,858, Sept. 11, 1956, Punched-cell wax electrolyte batteries (Commerce).

Yates, Wilfrid A., No. 2,764,734, Sept. 25, 1956, Phase angle method of metal thickness

indication (Commerce).

Young, John P., No. 2,764,914, Oct. 2, 1956, Apparatus for cooling gun barrels (Commerce).

(The following U. S. Patents have been granted to NBS inventors. Licensed to the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Department noted in parentheses.)

Shapiro, Gustave, Stone, Robert O., and Henry, Robert L., No. 2,754,711, July 17, 1956, Screw cutting attachment (Navy).

Stern, Joshua, No. 2,762,566, Sept. 11, 1956, Code matching systems (Commerce).

U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1951

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