The method allows one to convert a select isotope of certain predetermined elements to elements of lower mass and atomic number. It more particularly refers to a novel technique for production of select isotopes of new elements such as the following transmutations (T) :

7β Pt ¹⁹⁷ + α - _7β A 1 ^l 9 ^w 7\' + β

199 - _7β Pt ¹⁹⁵ + α

47 Ag ¹⁰⁹ → ^Rh ¹⁰⁵ + α - ^Pd ¹⁰⁵ + β

(T4) ₄₇ Ag ¹⁰⁷ - ₄₅ I1 ¹⁰³ + α

(T ⁵ ) 27 ^{Co60 ■} * nP ⁵⁶ + « - 2-X* ⁵⁶ + β

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that throughout the Universe, transmutation occurs through various forms of nuclear reactions. These reactions can be generated from natural interstellar radiation sources, normal decay of unstable isotopes, or synthetic production of new isotopes by irradiation of stable and unstable isotopes using high energy accelerators. It is also understood in science that there are no absolutes in the way a nuclear reaction can occur, for a probability factor always exists. It is also well known that, even though theoretical postulations have been established, until now there has been no experimental proof of how the elements were

formed throughout the universe. It is certainly known that in geological deposits noble metals are associated with select minerals, the prr ary one being quartz.

In the past, many attempts have been made to transmute one element to another, such as mercury to gold. Despite such research effort toward this end, ecconomically attractive processes have not, to date, been found which have made their way into the commercial world. Thus, the potential to take a radioactive isotope and render it non-radioactive; take a non-radioactive isotope and convert it to a radioactive isotope; or convert a stable isotope to a stable isotope of another element, has not been viable until now.

Of course, it is well known that particle accelerators can cause select isotopes of certain elements to undergo a fission by the bombardment of neutral particles. This fission rate is a correlation of the thermal neutron cross section, in relationship with the speed and quantity of particles.

It is the object of this method to cause a transmutation of a starting isotope of the selected element to transform into a element of less mass. An essential criteria of this method is that the starting isotope has a magnetic moment. If the starting isotope does not have a magnetic moment it will not be susceptible to this method.

It is another object of this method to provide a means of transformation (transmutation) without the requirement of any radioactive stimulation to start the method.

Other and additional objects of this method will become apparent from the following disclosure the claims appended hereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This method is based upon the discovered ability to selectively manipulate predetermined isotopes in a process that causes the starting isotope to undergo a transmutation to an isotope of a lesser mass and atomic number. A requirement for this transmutation to occur is the starting isotope must have a magnetic moment, thus having nuclear magnetic resonance qualities. Another requirement is that the reaction requires a heat generator which can be obtained from an endothermic or exothermic reaction. It is also required to have a resonance generator. In the preferred embodiment of the method the resonance generator is Siθ2, however other resonance generators can be substituted. In accordance with and fulfilling the above setforth requirements, this method takes advantage of the recent discovery that isotopes of elements having characteristic resonant components (magnetic moments) , in a specified state, and has imposed upon them the heat generator and resonant generator, a transmutation will occur. This transmutation is preferably an alpha particle fission, but is not limited to this reaction, and even with the alpha particle fission there can also occur secondary and tertiary radioactive decays. For example: βoHg ⁰¹ - ₇ β*t ¹⁹⁷ + ^β - ₇₉ AU ¹⁹⁷ + β (TO

In this transmutation, the mercury ²⁰¹ isotope\'s first transmutation is an alpha decay that ends with a platinum ¹⁹⁷ isotope. Platinum ¹⁹⁷ is a natural radioactive isotope which undergoes decay through a beta emission to gold ¹⁹⁷ . It is well known and accepted that gold has only one stable isotope in nature which is Au ¹⁹⁷ .

It has been discovered, and it is an important attribute of this method, that elements that have become radioactive by irradiation can be converted to isotopes of new elements that are no longer radioactive. To illustrate this point:

^Co ⁶⁰ - gsMn ⁵⁶ + α - ae ⁵ "® ⁵⁶ + β < ^T5 > Cobalt ⁶⁰ is a radioactive isotope synthetically produced from Co ⁵⁹

by irradiating Co ⁵⁹ with neutrons. Cobalt ⁶⁰ has many industrial and biomedical uses, but it has a half life of 5.275 years. Cobalt ⁶⁰ meets the requirements of this method for it has an established magnetic moment. As shown in the example above, if cobalt ⁶⁰ was processed to undergo an alpha decay it would be converted to manganese ⁵⁶ , which is also a radioactive isotope, but the half life of manganese ⁵⁶ is only 65 seconds. Manganese ⁵⁶ undergoes a natural decay by beta emission to iron ^56- This particular isotope of iron is non-radioactive and is found in nature at an abundance of 0.28%. Many examples of conversion from radioactive isotopes exist and are applicable to this method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The method can be substantially started at any ambient temperature and pressure. The method has been carried out at pressures of atmospheric, subatmospheric, and superatmospheric and temperatures starting from ambient to temperatures as high as 1500°C. Thus, the operating parameters of the method are a matter of choice on the part of the engineering process designer. It does appear, however, that there is an important relationship between the allotropic crystalline configurations of the molecular chemical compounds of the heat and resonance generators. It is also thought, that there is an important relationship between the magnetic properties of the susceptible transmutation isotopes. That is to say, the isotopes of the elements that have magnetic moments have properties that are unique to themselves. Because of this fact, the final chemical matrix will vary dependent upon the inter-relationship of resonance qualities of the elements (isotopes) within the total matrix. Also, there is an important relationship between the aggregate physical size of the chemical crystals and the metallic particles that make up the entire chemical matrix. Thus, it can be said that for a given temperature there must be proper crystalline configuration of the chemical molecules, and proper aggregate size

of the starting chemicals and elements, for transmutation to be achieved.

As stated above, there is a characteristic resonance unique to the starting isotope to be transmuted. According to this method, it is preferred that the strongest resonant generation be established by the introduction of Siθ2, generically known as quartz. This resonance is absorbed by the targeted isotope to be transmuted and the other isotopes within the chemical matrix that have like qualities. For example refer to the Table I where a correlation between certain of the isotopes can be seen.

A s= Atomic number; EL = Element; I = Isotope number;

NMR Freq. = Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Frequency stated in mHz;

T N C S = Thermal nuclear cross section

Table I shows the relationship of the nuclear magnetic resonance frequencies of the isotopes used in the preferred embodiments. There is a direct correlation between the starting magnetic resonance frequencies and the ending magnetic resonance frequencies in the production of precious metals. This relationship can be illustrated by the following Table II:

A = Atomic number; EL = Element; I = Isotope number;

NMR Freq. = Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Frequency stated in πiHz;

T N C S = Thermal nuclear cross section

To simplify the relationship between the magnetic resonances of the starting chemical matrix and the ending transmuted precious metal isotopes, the following tables set forth the correlation.

Table III

Resonance Data for Group A:

Table IV Resonance Data for Group B:

The imposition of the characteristic resonant frequency as denoted in Tables III and IV, show a direct relationship between the

resonant qualities of the starting chemical matrix and that of the ending precious metals. The resonance data of Tables III and IV, is exemplary of the two strongest characteristic resonant groups.

The physical size of the chemical compounds and the metallic elements has a direct relationship to the efficiency of the overall method. It is preferred that all compounds and elements be reduced to a physical size less than 200 mesh (sieve size) . Also, it is important to have a totally homogeneous mixture, for it is necessary for all of the compounds and elements to be in intimate contact with each other.

Chemical compounds within the matrix can be substituted, such as replacement of all but the heat generator and the required starting isotopes to be transmuted, with a sulfide mineral that contains all of the qualities of the resonant generator.

It is also possible to substitute for the heat generator specific gases under pressure. Such gases act in place of the heat generator compounds when added to the resonance generator and transmutive isotopes. Preferred examples of such gases are:

C02 + H + N + O

SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THE INVENTION

The following are specific examples of the practice of this method and will serve to illustrate it. These examples are not to be considered in any way as limiting the scope of this method but only as examplary of it. In these examples, chemicals and precentages are by weight unless specified to the contrary.

Example 1

HEAT GENERATOR

RESONANCE GENERATOR

siθ2 120 grams CaO 30 grams

Basic Metals

A 2.0 liter stainless steel container was utilized, in which the above compounds and elements were physically reduced in size to less than 200 mesh and thoroughly homogenized by physical mixing. Next, the container, with the prepared chemical matrix within, was placed in a fume hood and ignited. The average time for total ignition was approximately 200 seconds.

After the thermal melt process, the residue was allowed to cool and then was removed from the original container. At this point, the reaction was complete and there was an observable presence of gold, platinum, palladium, and rhodium. These metals are then separated from the residue by any one of many standard accepted metallurgical processes.

Another example of the method is as follows:

Example 2

HEAT GENERATOR

C 300 grams KN03 900 grams

RESONANCE GENERATOR

Mineral ⁽¹⁾ 120 grams

Basic Metals

HgCl 100 grams PbO 50 grams

^<1 \'Mineral can be any sulfide compound containing >30% natural quartz having a sufficient native Ag content to permit transmutation to rhodium.

In accordance with Example 1 a 2.0 liter stainless steel container was utilized, in which the above chemicals and elements were physically reduced in size to less than 200 mesh, and thoroughly homogenized by physical mixing. Next, the container, with the prepared chemical matrix within, was placed in a fume hood and ignited. The average time for total ignition was approximately 90 seconds.

After the thermal melt process, the residue was allowed to cool and then removed from the original container. At this point, the reaction was complete and there was an observable presence of gold, platinum, palladium, and rhodium. These metals are then separated from the residue by any one of many standard accepted metallurgical processes.