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This is a seemingly interesting technology, but I'm unable to evaluate how this works and if it's actually a practical, sustainable way to deal with radiation,

by yosito 5y ago

This is a seemingly interesting technology, but I'm unable to evaluate how this works and if it's actually a practical, sustainable way to deal with radiation, or just a PR effort. Any HNers who can confirm and or/explain the significance of this?

jakozaur 5y ago
I found this explanations: https://pressclub.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Project-Hemera_NSPS-Description_26.04.21.pdf https://pressclub.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Project-Heme... I buy the part about loosen the soil, not sure about the rest. Look like they did one pilot, got grant in Switzerland and validation near Chernobyl. Still more validation whether it works at scale.
- panax 5y ago
  So they claim that somehow by sticking a bunch of plastic stakes into the ground they create " a natural “particle accelerator” " of positrons that transmute the radioactive isotopes into safe particles? Sure... This whole thing reads like some crank selling snake oil.
toss1 5y ago
Ye, this does seem a bit sketchy. I'm no nuclear physicist, but the explanation from the article [0] seems to involve only activity in the electron shells, which I suppose might reduce local ionization, but I don't see how it would have any effect on the nuclei, which would still continue to breakdown, so a temporary effect at best? I'd definitely like to hear from any experts on if this is anything beyond marketing... [0] >>"NSPS technology leverages in particular high-velocity particles, also known as positrons, to direct this naturally occurring force towards radioactive isotopes in the soil and break the bonds holding them together. The process is conducted safely under the surface of the soil and no radioactivity is released to the ground or in the air. Once the positron comes into contact with the radioactive isotope, it rejoins an electron and annihilates the radioactive matter back to its original matter."

by yosito 5y ago

jakozaur 5y ago

I found this explanations: https://pressclub.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Project-Hemera_NSPS-Description_26.04.21.pdf https://pressclub.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Project-Heme... I buy the part about loosen the soil, not sure about the rest. Look like they did one pilot, got grant in Switzerland and validation near Chernobyl. Still more validation whether it works at scale.

panax 5y ago
So they claim that somehow by sticking a bunch of plastic stakes into the ground they create " a natural “particle accelerator” " of positrons that transmute the radioactive isotopes into safe particles? Sure... This whole thing reads like some crank selling snake oil.

toss1 5y ago

Ye, this does seem a bit sketchy. I'm no nuclear physicist, but the explanation from the article [0] seems to involve only activity in the electron shells, which I suppose might reduce local ionization, but I don't see how it would have any effect on the nuclei, which would still continue to breakdown, so a temporary effect at best? I'd definitely like to hear from any experts on if this is anything beyond marketing... [0] >>"NSPS technology leverages in particular high-velocity particles, also known as positrons, to direct this naturally occurring force towards radioactive isotopes in the soil and break the bonds holding them together. The process is conducted safely under the surface of the soil and no radioactivity is released to the ground or in the air. Once the positron comes into contact with the radioactive isotope, it rejoins an electron and annihilates the radioactive matter back to its original matter."