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So if we could force neutrino interactions at scale we could make any element we want in large quantities?

by xwdv 5y ago

adrian_b 5y ago
Using neutrinos is far less efficient than using gamma radiation or neutrons or high energy electrons or ions for transmutations. The photons/neutrons/electrons/ions have a high probability of interaction with the target, while the neutrinos have a very low probability of interaction. All the elements that do not exist in nature due to low lifetime have been produced by transmutation, but this can be done only for very small quantities at huge prices.
- JProthero 5y ago
  Thanks for a great couple of replies. I'd just add that there are almost certainly more superheavy elements not thought to exist in nature which have yet to be produced artificially, but probably will be at some point.
  - koheripbal 5y ago
    ... but which instantly decay. So not interesting.
    - dmurray 5y ago
      There are definitely unstable superheavy elements that have never yet been produced, or at least detected, but the interesting prediction (widely accepted, but far from proven) is that there are some stable ones. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Island_of_stability https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Island_of_stability
blablabla123 5y ago
In some sense this is how particle collisions works. You collide something and with certain probability you get something else at the other end under the physical constraints. Probably you want to use bigger particles and lower energy though to go from subatomic to atomic/molecular scale. The laser ignition fusion experiments would be closer to that. (Mind the costs though :)) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellar_nucleosynthesis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellar_nucleosynthesis
LegitShady 5y ago
I imagine like a lot of the nuclear alchemy the cost is much higher than just getting the existing material you want.
- xwdv 5y ago
  But for something like a kardashev type 2 or 3 civilization with abundant energy, it would be trivial and saves time searching for and accumulating the material? It would also be conflict free.

So if we could force neutrino interactions at scale we could make any element we want in large quantities?

by xwdv 5y ago

So if we could force neutrino interactions at scale we could make any element we want in large quantities?

Using neutrinos is far less efficient than using gamma radiation or neutrons or high energy electrons or ions for transmutations. The photons/neutrons/electrons/ions have a high probability of interaction with the target, while the neutrinos have a very low probability of interaction. All the elements that do not exist in nature due to low lifetime have been produced by transmutation, but this can be done only for very small quantities at huge prices.

JProthero 5y ago
Thanks for a great couple of replies. I'd just add that there are almost certainly more superheavy elements not thought to exist in nature which have yet to be produced artificially, but probably will be at some point.
- koheripbal 5y ago
  ... but which instantly decay. So not interesting.
  - dmurray 5y ago
    There are definitely unstable superheavy elements that have never yet been produced, or at least detected, but the interesting prediction (widely accepted, but far from proven) is that there are some stable ones. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Island_of_stability https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Island_of_stability

blablabla123 5y ago

In some sense this is how particle collisions works. You collide something and with certain probability you get something else at the other end under the physical constraints. Probably you want to use bigger particles and lower energy though to go from subatomic to atomic/molecular scale. The laser ignition fusion experiments would be closer to that. (Mind the costs though :)) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellar_nucleosynthesis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellar_nucleosynthesis

LegitShady 5y ago

I imagine like a lot of the nuclear alchemy the cost is much higher than just getting the existing material you want.

xwdv 5y ago
But for something like a kardashev type 2 or 3 civilization with abundant energy, it would be trivial and saves time searching for and accumulating the material? It would also be conflict free.