En busca de los efectos gravitacionales de Birkhoff: la ultracentr{i}fuga transelastica

This work reviews the origin, development, completion, and outcome of a trans-elastic ultracentrifuge project of Mexico’s Nuclear Center through 1971 to 1986. The project had its origin in the search for an effect that supposedly would validate Birkhoff’s gravity theory over Einstein’s General Relativity. For this purpose an extraordinary ultracentrifuge was built which deserved the 1973 National Award for Instruments (Mexico). The ultracentrifuge was also used to investigate the feasibility of uranium enrichment by solid state centrifugation. Highly enriched uranium was obtained, but in small quantities.