Two physicists are hunting more than 600 uranium cubes from Nazi Germany's failed WWII nuclear program
In the chaotic final days of the war, some of the uranium cubes ended up on the black market, others found their way to the U.S., and still others simply scattered to the winds. One of them found its way to University of Maryland physicist Timothy Koeth’s desk in 2013, kicking off a search for its origins and an international hunt for the rest.Germany’s World War II nuclear program sounds like something out of an Indiana Jones movie.
and found no evidence that uranium atoms in the cube had ever been split into lighter elements, like cesium, during a fission reaction.photo from LepoRello, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ That should have been possible, because there were 400 other cubes at other labs in Germany, in the hands of rival physicists engaged in fierce and sometimes deeply personal competition with the lab at Haigerloch. “This highlights perhaps the biggest difference between the German and American nuclear research programs,” said Miriam Hiebert, a doctoral candidate in engineering at the University of Maryland, in a press statement.
In a paroxysm of humility, Groves named the team ALSOS, which is Greek for “groves.” They shipped most of the cubes back to Paris, the UK, and the U.S., both to bolster the American nuclear program and to keep the uranium out of the hands of the Soviet Union. But from there, the ALSOS cubes also mostly dropped out of sight. Several probably ended up as raw material for the postwar American weapons enrichment program, based at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee.
Deutschland Neuesten Nachrichten, Deutschland Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
The Search For Lost Nazi UraniumTwo physicists are hunting more than 600 uranium cubes from Nazi Germany’s failed WWII nuclear program.
Weiterlesen »
The Search For Lost Nazi UraniumTwo physicists are hunting more than 600 uranium cubes from Nazi Germany’s failed WWII nuclear program.
Weiterlesen »
MLB roundup: Story walk-off leads Rockies past OriolesTrevor Story hit two home runs, including a two-run, walk-off homer in the ninth...
Weiterlesen »
'Sickening': Swastika graffiti found inside U.K. Parliament officesThe Nazi symbol was etched into the inside door of an elevator in a parliamentary building.
Weiterlesen »
Many states pushing strict abortion laws have high maternal mortality ratesThe past two weeks have been filled with activity in pushing for abortion restrictions in four states, with two passing abortion bans and two expected to follow suit.
Weiterlesen »
White House, congressional leaders push for two-year budget dealMcConnell predicts deal by day’s end after meeting of top congressional leaders, administration officials
Weiterlesen »
Professor fired for having sexual relationships with two students must be reinstated, court rulesThe court didn't condone his behavior, but ruled that he didn't violate any university policies.
Weiterlesen »
Man convicted of killing two California officers in ambushOne of the slain officers was a father of eight and months from retirement, and the other was a rookie officer just back from maternity leave.
Weiterlesen »
Two Days, No Clears: Something Has To Be Done About The Division 2’s Raid On ConsoleThe Division 2's raid hasn't been beaten on consoles after two days, and it's clear changes need to be made to the PS4 and Xbox One version.
Weiterlesen »