الوصفAEC-69-8506 AN ISOTOPIC GAUGE TO TEST EGGSHELL STRENGTH has been developed under a joint effort with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Department of Agriculture. Beta particles from ruthenium-106 bombard a small area of the eggshell and a Geiger counter determines the number of particles reflected -- the more betas returned, the denser the shell. The device makes it possible to nondestructively study the impact resistance of eggshells as influenced by such factors as diet and heredity. The instrument is currently being evaluated by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Interior, Wildlife Service. If adopted, this instrument will be used to help reduce the national egg loss by breakage — which was $25 million in 1966. At least three industrial firms have expressed an interest in manufacturing this instrument. Credit: J. E. Westcott, U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
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