Episode 92: The Quest for Pure Uranium

Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast

In this episode, we explore the story of Harley Wilhelm, an unsung hero of the Manhattan Project. Discover how the Ames Process revolutionized the production of pure uranium metal, turning a slow and inefficient task into an streamlined operation that played a critical role in ending World War Il. We'll explore the challenges faced, the science of uranium enrichment, and the surprising uses of depleted uranium. Tune in for a deep dive into one of the lesser-known but vital contributions to history's most ambitious project.

You can buy a copy of the book that inspired this episode here.

The Materialism Podcast is sponsored by American Elements, a leading manufacturer and supplier of materials. You can learn more about their work and services by visiting their website.

This Materialism Podcast is sponsored by Materials Today, an Elsevier community dedicated to the creation and sharing of materials science knowledge and experience through their peer-reviewed journals, academic conferences, educational webinars, and more

Thanks to Kolobyte and Alphabot for letting us use their music in the show!

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Materialism Team: Taylor Sparks (co-host, co-creator), Andrew Falkowski (co-host, co-creator), Jared Duffy (production, marketing, and editing).

Keywords: Uranium Enrichment AMES Process Manhattan Project Oppenheimer Depleted Uranium