Word: plutonium
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...told one another with growing excitement, was the modern counterpart of the Philosophers' Stone, which medieval alchemists searched for in vain as the tool to transmute gold from base metals. The atom has turned the medieval dream into 20th century reality. Modern atomic science can actually transmute metals -plutonium is a transmuted metal, and gold could be made from other elements if it were worth the expense and effort...
Britain's John V. Dunworth reported that his country is embarking on a three-stage, $8,400,000 reactor-building program. In stage 1: ten to 20 reactors will annually produce several tons of plutonium at relatively low cost, form the basis for stage 2: concentrating on six or seven types of power reactors, including a gas-cooled model, which may use thorium and plutonium. Stage 3: fast reactors and a host of experimental models. Said Reactor Chief Dunworth: "We're endeavoring not to restrict our ideas too much...
France's High Commissioner for Atomic Energy Francis Perrin revealed that his country is now exploiting four uranium sources, ranging in quality from "poor" to "reasonable." Its first nuclear power plant, at Marcoule, will produce 5,000 kw. of electricity, plus plutonium. In 30 months' time a second, more profitable plant will go to work, with a net production of 20,000 kw. (enough electricity for a city the size of Tallahassee, Fla.)-Moreover, the French have found an "important source" of thorium in Madagascar, are studying nuclear propulsion for ships...
Sweden has been trading its own low-grade uranium ore (200 grams of uranium per metric ton) for refined French uranium metal. At present the Swedes have one 300-kw. reactor built underground in Stockholm, another big reactor with a probable output of 20,000 kw. and some plutonium...
...With University of California Colleague Edwin M. McMillan, for their synthesis of "trans-uranian elements," e.g., plutonium, used in A-bombs...