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=== Boron ===
Due to its neutron-absorbing properties, [[boron-10]] found multiple uses at the [[Los Alamos Laboratory]],{{sfn|Manhattan District|1947c|p=VIII-19}} which raised a requirement for boron in both its natural form and enriched in the boron-10 isotope.{{sfn|Manhattan District|1947d|p=7.1}} This led to two lines of research at the Manhattan Project's [[SAM Laboratories]] at [[Columbia University]] in New York City: one aimed at developing a means of reducing boron compounds, and one at separating boron isotopes using an [[isotope fractionation]] process. Harshaw was awarded the contract to supply [[boron trifluoride]] ({{chem2|BF3}}), at least 97% pure. A
Once the research into isotope separation had progressed sufficiently, the contract for the isotope separation was awarded to the [[Standard Oil Company of Indiana]], since fractionation was a common practice in the oil industry. While both boron trifluoride and [[dimethyl ether]] were gases at room temperature, their complex was a liquid. The [[American Cyanamid Company]] was awarded the contract for processing the boron trifluoride/dimeythl ether complex. The schedule called for the production of a kilogram of boron as soon as possible, five kilograms by 15 September 1944, and five kilograms per month thereafter. The plant was ready on 7 July 1944. Production ceased on 30 June 1946, by which time Cyanamid had delivered {{convert|504|lb|order=flip}} of crystalline boron-10, {{convert|850|lb|order=flip}} of calcium fluoride-boron trifluoride complex enriched in the boron-10 isotope, and {{convert|242|lb|order=flip}} of calcium fluoride-boron trifluoride complex enriched in the boron-11 isotope.{{sfn|Manhattan District|1947d|pp=7.2-7.7}}
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