Experiments are described in which alpha spectroscopy was used to study the anodic oxidation of Al and Ta under those conditions in which, from previous Xe125 work, a significant burying is known to occur. A beam of Rn222 ions accelerated to 2 to 6 kev energy was injected into the flat face of an Al or Ta target by means of an electromagnetic isotope separator. After measuring the energy spectrum of the 5.486-Mev alpha particles, the targets were anodized at constant current to 200 v, using a 3% solution of dibasic ammonium citrate in water as electrolyte, and the energy spectrum of the particles was remeasured. Although the shape of the alpha spectrum remained virtually unchanged, the position of the peak in each case was shifted to a considerably lower energy, indicating that the Rn222 atoms were deeply buried in the oxide layer. The Rn222 atoms retained a sharp distribution in the growing oxide film, as was expected of inert tracers. (M.C.G.) An outline of research carried out is presented. It included problems of corrosion (behavior of carbon steels in contact with pure molten Bi, with or without inhibitors, or with molten Li), the physical chemistry of metals showing defectivemore » metallic surfaces of single and bicrystals and of metallic oxide crystals, and metallography (behavior of various materials subjected to thermal cycling). Apparatus designed and constructed for annealing experiments in a magnetic field on transformer stampings is also described.« less