After a mysterious chunk of uranium was given to a University of Maryland engineering professor with an explanation limited to a cryptic note—"Taken from the reactor Hitler tried to build. Gift of Ninninger."—a UMD professor went on a sleuthing expedition. As told by author Chris Carroll, the researcher and a doctoral student uncovered the chilling truth about how close Nazi Germany actually came to developing nuclear power during WWII.
From the Judges
A uranium cube remnant of failed Nazi efforts to build a nuclear reactor finds its way to Dr. Tim Koeth, a collector of radiological oddities. In quick succession, important information about the cube is unearthed in some unexpected places that give it equally scientific and historical import. An interesting subject and an award-worthy write-up.
