2l6 



REPORTS OF INVESTIGATIONS AND PROJECTS. 



potential of the core per second, due to the current passing through the ion- 

 ized air within the chamber. In this case, very large potentials (250 volts) 

 may be used and a graduated Exner electroscope suffices for the measure- 

 ment of K. 



The experiments made for the present merely to test the standardization of 

 the fog-chamber, as detailed in the earlier publications of the Carnegie Insti- 

 tution of Washington, nevertheless lead to very acceptable values of e. For 

 instance, if all data are expressed in electrostatic units, i being the current, 



From which it again follows that both positive and negative ions must have 

 been captured even at the enormous ionizations, exceeding 500,000 nuclei per 

 cubic centimeter, employed. 



Burgess, Charles F., University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin. Grant 

 No. 430. Investigation of the properties of electrolytic iron and alloys 

 made from it. (For previous reports see Year Books Nos. 4, 5, and 6.) 



$2,500. 



During the summer and fall of 1907 progress on the work was not as 

 rapid as it had been, due to inability to secure the necessary amount of com- 

 petent assistance. Since the first of this year the investigation has proceeded 

 more satisfactorily with the services of Mr. James Aston, who has devoted 

 his entire time to the work. 



From July i, 1907, until August i, 1908, ten tanks have been running con- 

 tinuously in the production of electrolytic iron, the output being 450 pounds 

 of single-refined and 570 pounds of double-refined iron. 



Most of this iron has been used in the manufacture of iron alloys for test 

 purposes, but, in addition to this, quantities of refined iron, varying in 

 amounts from i ounce to 50 pounds, have been furnished to various parties 

 wishing to investigate its properties. On account of the high purity of the 

 double-refined iron it appears that it is a suitable material for standardizing 

 purposes, and arrangements are being made to supply the material required 

 for this purpose. 



The production of iron alloys has been continued, and there are now on 

 hand, and undergoing test for physical properties, 301 binary alloys and 218 

 alloys containing more than one alloying element. In the manufacture of 

 these alloys the attempt has been made to keep down the carbon content to 



