Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Science & Technology
Why in News?
Recently, Marathon Fusion, a company based in San Francisco, reported the successful conversion of mercury into gold through experimental procedures.
- The proposed method utilizes neutrons produced by nuclear fusion to convert mercury-198 into gold-197.
Scientific Principles
- Nuclear fusion – It refers to the process in which light atomic nuclei combine, resulting in the release of energy and high-energy neutrons.
- Nuclear transmutation – It involves the conversion of one element into another through alterations in its atomic nucleus.
- Proposed Process
- Mercury-198 absorbs high-energy neutrons generated during the fusion process.
- This absorption transforms mercury-198 into radioactive mercury-197.
- Radioactive mercury-197 subsequently decays into stable gold-197.
Seven Caveats Concerning the Claim
- Absence of Direct Fusion – Gold production is achieved through nuclear transmutation rather than the fusion of mercury or gold nuclei.
- Insufficient Evidence – Independent verification, comprehensive experimental methodologies, and publicly established data on gold quantity and purity are lacking.
- Comparison with CERN – CERN has produced minimal quantities of gold nuclei via lead-ion collisions for research purposes rather than commercial production.
- Marathon's assertion of a tenfold improvement is not substantiated by sufficient public evidence.
- Disparity in Scale – The projected annual output of 2 tonnes of gold per gigawatt of thermal fusion power is derived from simulations rather than demonstrated by a commercial reactor.
- Challenges with Mercury – The process necessitates mercury enriched to 90% mercury-198 and requires specialized handling because of mercury's significant toxicity.
- Radioactivity Concerns – The resulting gold mixture may contain radioactive isotopes and could require extended periods of radioactive decay or purification.
- Economic Uncertainty – Assertions regarding the doubling of fusion plant revenue are contingent upon hypothetical future reactor performance, as well as uncertain gold prices and production costs.
Reference
The Hindu | Turning Mercury into Gold with Nuclear Fusion
