The advance of modern physics is an amazing story.
Nuclear chemistry is a little different than electron chemistry. It gives us what the alchemists wanted, transforming one element to another. There have been naturally occurring nuclear reactors: www.scientificamerican.com/article/ancient-nuclear-reactor/.
Since the first human-built nuclear reactor, we have been able to do nuclear chemistry. The economics of WW II, and the Faustian bargain of many physicists, gave us the nuclear bomb, a very fast nuclear reactor.
There were two bomb designs. One used U-235, purified at Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The other used Pu-239 made at the B Reactor in Richland, Washington. It was the first large scale reactor.
The B Reactor and nuclear history is the subject of Portland photographer Harley Cowan's large format photography. He grew up in Richland.
This show is Manhattan Project; it documents the Manhattan Project National Historical Park in Richland.
Tonight the photographer speaks 6:30PM-7:30, with a reception and viewing 7:30-8:30
At Camerawork Gallery www.thecameraworkgallery.org in the Lorenzen Conference Center - Legacy Emanuel Medical Center Campus 301 N. Graham. 6:30PM-8:30 Free
