Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Science

NNadir

(36,834 posts)

7. This would depend on whether you have a high energy gamma source in your house.

Reply to 3Hotdogs (Reply #5)

Fri Oct 31, 2025, 12:42 PM

9 hrs ago

I'm afraid the americium in your smoke detectors won't do. The highest energy gamma rays in a smoke detector are around 26 keV, about 300 times less energetic than what you need.

Don't try this at home. Neutrons can be bad for you.

If you have a friend with a high flux nuclear reactor, you can bring your thermometer to he, she, or them, but somehow I think they might get in trouble for trying to help you get rich off your thermometer.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

7 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Transmutation of Mercury into Gold. [View all] NNadir Wednesday OP

Great. Now EVERYBODY knows, thank-you very much. Note to self: sell off gold holdings. marble falls Wednesday #1

Don't worry; be happy. No one is building a modern Clementine reactor. If they did, it wouldn't smash the market. NNadir Wednesday #2

he ALWAYS ruins stuff...ask him about perpetual motion! ret5hd Wednesday #3

Ironic considering that mercury is often used to mine/separate gold, polluting the environment. Norrrm Wednesday #4

I got an old thermometer somewhere in the house. 3Hotdogs Wednesday #5

This would depend on whether you have a high energy gamma source in your house. NNadir 9 hrs ago #7

I saw on Reddit that Marathon Fusion is a start up with this very idea Ponietz Yesterday #6