Wednesday, April 17, 1968 THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN δΈ€ World physicists will discuss atomic nucleus The structure of the atomic nucleus, a basic research area with practical significance in medicine, electrical power production and transmission, and other industries, will be discussed by physicists from nine nations Thursday through Saturday at the University of Kansas. The International Symposium on the Structure of Low-Medium Mass Nuclei is expected to include nuclear physicists from Australia, Japan, Canada, Great Britain, Mexico, Norway, the Netherlands, France and the United States. Two KU physics professors, John P. Davidson and Ralph W. Krone, are co-chairmen in charge of planning the symposium. These physicists are interested in fundamental knowledge of the properties of matter and the forces that hold the nucleus together," Davidson said. "However, their area of research has important 'spin-off' benefits, particularly in nuclear production of electricity, high-voltage transmission of electricity, vulcanization of rubber products, and radiation curing of industrial coatings and of reinforced plastics that have been involved with radiation sterilization of medical supplies and preservation of food. "Both production and transmission of electricity can be made more efficient through 'spin-off' from research on the atomic nucleus," Davidson said. "For example, it is reasonable to believe that a better understanding of the nuclear building blocks of reactors would increase their efficiency by one per cent. The real magnitude of this savings becomes clear when it is put into perspective with an estimate by Glen Seaborg, chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission. He estimates that in the next 30 years investments in nuclear power stations in this country will exceed $100 billion." sas and in 1966 at the Aerospace Research Laboratories at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, N.J. The conferences are sponsored jointly by KU and Aerospace Research Laboratories. "Although we have learned a great deal from experiments during the past two decades, most achieved in nuclear technology as soon as physicists reach fundamental understanding of nuclear structure." technological advances are still based to a large extent on empirical know-how rather than fundamental understanding," Krone said. "There is little doubt that vast advances can be Similar conferences were held in 1964 at the University of Kan- SEE THE OZARKS! International Club Spring Trip Leave 5:00 p.m., Friday, May 3... return Sunday evening, May 5 Bus transportation free...Rooms $3 per night Information and Reservations: UN 4-3474 (Deadline: April 25) VI 3-8833 VI 2-1231 Water Skiing Fishing Cook-Outs Boating Horseback Riding Swimming Hiking Special trips to: Silver Dollar City Sightseeing Marvel Cave