84 REPORT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEVADAmeet all the mechanical difficulties or limitations previously encOun, tered, and provides for adjustments of factors effecting the concen¬ trating actions, including a variation in the width of the concentratino- riffie.Radioactivity. Research on radioactivity dealing with the decom¬ position of CO by radon as conducted by Dr. Bardwell at Reno Iq 1923 is to appear in detailed report through Dr. Lind at Washington D. C.Vanadium. In the extraction of vanadium from vanadiferous sand¬ stones surprising results were obtained by a simple roast followed by a hot-water leach, and much better extraction is obtained with sodiuni carbonate solution. The best results, however, fall short of commer¬ cial requirements. Any improvement obtained by the use of bisul- phate is more than offset by the additional expense. The standard method for roscoelite, a salt-soda roast, followed by a double leach with water and dilute sulphuric acid, gives a fair yield by a simple, inexpensive process. The autoclave treatment gives the highest yield but the cost of reagents is considerably higher and the equipment required is much more expensive. Approximate cost estimates indi¬ cate a small advantage for the autoclave method. A more complete report appears in Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Vol. 31, No. 11, September 15, 1924.Beryllium. The efficient preparation of pure metallic beryllium was suggested by the President of the American Electrochemical Society, as a suitable problem for the Bureau of Mines, since it would make metallic beryllium available for research and might result in com¬ mercializing beryllium minerals which had a very limited sale. By following the line that seemed most promising, the electrolysis of fused, inixed fluorides of beryllium and other metals, a small quantity of 98.8% beryllium metal was produced, but the efficiency and yield were not good. Different devices used, attempting to prevent recombi¬ nation of the metal by removing or segregating it as fast as formed, have so far been unsuccessful. The work is being continued.Mine Rescue Car No. 1. The Rare and Precious Metals Experiment Station is headquarters for Mine Rescue Car No. 1. This car is full)' equipped with apparatus and instructors for the instruction in mine rescue and flrst-aid work. The car makes regular trips to Nevada and gives courses in mine rescue and flrst-aid training to students in the Mackay School of Mines and to miners in the various mining districts in the State, as well as to employees of corporations and companies employed at hazardous work. A certificate is issued to those showing suitable proficiency.Respectfully submitted,Signed: Edmund S. Leaver,Superintendent.A
