BRITISH ATOMIC RESEARCH

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24932, 20 July 1946, Page 7

BRITISH ATOMIC RESEARCH

INDUSTRIAL ASPECTS N.Z. SCIENTISTS HELP TO MAKE PLANT

(Rec. 8 p.rii.) LONDON, July 18. Sciferitists, mostly New Zealanders who, previously Wbrkfed in Canadian labriratbfifes; tojre now constructing a IoW-priwer graphite pile fbr fexpeririientfel toork bn industrial aspects of atoriiic energy, ifrhich would be operating bfefote the end of the year, said the DireCtbr of Atotriifc Energy Research, Professor J. D. Cockroft. A high-poWered pile capable of large-scale prbductibn bf radioactive substances fbr medical work was also tindfer cdhstrubtion.

The febnversion of the Harwell Royal Air Force station into an atomic energy establishment is expected to be completed iii the autumn of 1947, when probably 400 to 500 scientists will be employed. Professor Cobkroft said that stirveys were being ebhdricted in Britain and the DominlohS with the object of attaining large-scale production of fissile materials. Negotiations for the supply of materials were also "n with America, with which ?ris uti atomic energy were very friendly. Professor Cockroft said there were a large number of uncertainties about the utilisation of atomic energy as industrial power, which Wbuld probably bfe partially cleared up within the next five years; but it could be said that prospects were “not too discouraging.” The development of radioactive isotopes supplanting radium was the most encouraging immediate pb'ssibiliiy.