Can Beryllium-7 Decay Be Controlled for Energy Production?

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SUMMARY

Beryllium-7 decay via electron capture can be controlled by removing all electrons, preventing decay. The discussion highlights the theoretical possibility of converting generated gamma rays into usable energy by confining Beryllium ions in an electron-free medium. To achieve this, magnetic confinement and a significant potential difference are necessary, making the practical implementation of this concept highly challenging.

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Beryllium-7 decay with electron capture, if you strip away all the electrons, no decay will occur.
Suppose that we can somehow turn the generated gamma ray into usable energy, what does it take to confine Beryllium ions into an electron free medium and only feed electron into it when power is needed?
 
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dgjxqz said:
what does it take to confine Beryllium ions into an electron free medium and only feed electron into it when power is needed?
It would require magnetic confinement and a huge potential difference. As such it would be impractical.
 

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