For the nuclear energy: thorium and plutonium
Most uranium now comes from Australia, but there are many other sources. See www.world-nuclear.org and look for Uranium Mining as a subject.
The very large nucleus of the uranium atom is a kind of energy storage unit. The energy of that nucleus is the result of the nuclear synthesis reactions that take place in a supernova. In that sense, a supernova is the energy source of uranium.
This information is readily available on other sources.
The production of uranium in each year is extremely small compared with the production of coal, oil, methane; but the most important is the energy obtained per unity of mass.
Uranium combine with the majority of other elements; also uranium has alloys with the majority of metals.
There are multiple instrumentation types capable of detecting radiation. The Geiger Counter is one such device capable of detecting radiation emissions from uranium and other radioactive materials/sources.
Splitted uranium is not uranium, but other two lighter elements.
Of the two dropped on Japan, one was a Uranium bomb and the other a Plutonium bomb. Both Uranium and Plutonium are elements, and are radioactive. The radioactivity makes these elements suitable as sources of energy, for power generation or explosions.
There are a variety of sources for battery coupons. The Sunday papers may have a few available. Other alternative sources would be to look at virtual coupon sites and see what is available.
uranyl nitrate, uranium dioxide, uranium octaoxide, uranium hexafluoride, uranyl acetate, uranium tetrachloride, uranium carbide, uranium nitride, uranium tetraiodide, uranium sulfide, ammonium diuranate, etc.
Uranium minerals can be mixed with other minerals.