Posted on 07/24/2025 11:28:52 AM PDT by Red Badger
How many isotopes of mercury -198 and neoutrons from inside a reactor creating isotopes mercury -197 , is required to make one oz of gold -197?
An oz?........................
Paging Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Eddie "Hudson Hawk" Hawkins.
I know people hate that movie. I actually kind of enjoyed the mindless fun of it. Except for Sandra Bernhard. Can stand her.
It was that rare movie where SB actually fit the part lol
5:32 - Swinging on a Star (I think it was 5:32, been a long time)
Unobtainium and straw. The good straw. Can’t get that perfect “golden yellow” without the perfect straw.
I want more than 1 isotope of gold-197.
See: Twilight Zone, the Rip Van Winkle Caper
“Can anybody explain why you can’t do this with neutrons from a fission reactor, which exists, rather than a fusion reactor? “
Fusion neutrons have 14.1 MEV energies and fusion neutrons are about 2 MEV.
Feasibility is a complicated calculation involving energy dependent absorption crass-sections.
Low energy neutrons are absorbed. That won’t get you to HG-197 which decays to AU-197.
“An oz?........................”
More. Some reactions are (n,p) reactions.
Who is paying for this dude’s glorified science project?
They say this fusion alchemy will make gold cheaper—finally, my jewelry box can stop looking like a Mercury spill cleanup site.
Fusion reactors turning mercury-198 into gold? That’s not science, that’s Midas multitasking!
Mercury to gold in a fusion blanket? Sounds like the Sun’s taking up hobby crafting—next up, neutron knitting scarves!
I hear investors are excited—because now your retirement fund can literally glow in the dark… of fusion-powered nuclear transmutation!
Mercury isotope: “I’m just here to chill in the fusion blanket.” Neutron multiplier layer: “Hold my proton—I’ll turn you into bling!”
This method making stable gold from mercury is the best proof that fusion energy won’t just power the future—it’ll bling it, too.
Why did the neutron win “best bartender” award? Because for one, it always gives you “no charge” — and for two, it just turns your nasty mercury into pure gold.
So fusion blankets double as magic ovens? Just wait until they start turning cooking shows into alchemy classes.
If this keeps up, we should rename Periodic Table to the “Periodic Gold Rush”!
Mercuries like the one Lucy and Dezy pulled the longest trailer with?
Rod Sterling saw this coming.
The Rip Van Winkle Caper
My first thought as well.
I read about the russians doing this back in the 70s, the major problem was that the gold was very radioactive.
A few years from now, I can imagine a hapless young man being confronted by a beloved: "A gold and diamonds necklace? You cheap bastard!"
Artificial diamonds are on the verge of a new market : custom made art. You make various layers and colors of diamond. You carve each layer with lasers. Imagine giving your love a diamond with her face inside or something very romantic.
My thought too.
Natural diamond prices are impacted by the introduction of man-made diamonds, diluting the market. But an expert can still tell the difference.
Not so with this gold production method (if it works).
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