The final challenge to realize "Alchemy! Crowdfunding to reach the goal of 10 million yen is nearing its closing date! Science Artist Genki Ichioka Seeks Support Until September 30!

GENKI LABO Corporation (Chuo-ku, Tokyo / CEO: Genki Ichioka), a science artist and operator of the educational YouTube channel "GENKI LABO" ( https://www.youtube.com/@GENKILABO ), which has over 1 million registered users, has released details of the "Alchemy" experiment, another core of the project, as the crowdfunding for the establishment of the new lab that started on July 26, 2012, will close on September 30. (Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative: Genki Ichioka) has released details of the "alchemy" experiment, another core element of the project, as the crowdfunding for the establishment of the new lab, which started on July 26, reaches its closing date of September 30.

Currently, the total amount of support has exceeded the second goal of 10 million yen, and we aim to ride this momentum to the third goal of 20 million yen.

Project image

Turning mercury into gold through "alchemy

Realization of "real alchemy" by modern science

The ultimate goal of this project is to realize the "alchemy" that many scientists dreamed of in the past, i.e., an experiment to transform a substance other than gold into gold. GENKI LABO will challenge this experiment, which is theoretically possible by using modern nuclear transmutation technology.

■ Scientific background and method of the experiment

Using isotopes of mercury, we will employ an innovative method to produce stable gold by "nuclear transmutation technology.

Raw material used: 196Hg, a stable isotope of mercury (Hg) (contained in 0.15% of mercury in nature)

Conversion process: Neutron irradiation of 196Hg → formation of 197Hg → conversion to 197Au (stable gold) by spontaneous decay

Target: Generation of stable gold (197Au) in quantities visible to the naked eye

Principle of reactor alchemy

Challenges of this project

The main issues are safety assurance and high cost.

Establishment of safety: Control of radioactive materials that may be produced in the transmutation process (196Hg, which is safer, will be used)

High cost: Approximately 500,000 yen per mg of 196Hg isotope enrichment is required.

Issues of this project

Significance of this project

Through this project, we hope to promote science education and improve Japan's scientific and technological capabilities by getting more children interested in the latest science, and also to contribute to the medical field.

Show children the dreams and possibilities of science

Contribute to the improvement of science and technology in Japan

Potential application of "nuclear transmutation technology" to the development of cancer drugs

Comment from Genki Ichioka:

This experiment is a pursuit of pure scientific romance; I want to realize the alchemy that scientists have dreamed of for more than 2,000 years, using modern science and technology. And we want this project to be the first step toward revitalizing Japan with the power of science. The deadline is approaching, but we hope that as many people as possible will support this project, and together we will open up new horizons for science. With your support, we will build a laboratory that will brighten the future of our children!"

Motoki Ichioka, Science Artist

■Collaboration with Experts in this Project

This project will be carried out in cooperation with Professor Naoyuki Takagi of the Department of Nuclear Safety Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tokyo City University, who conceived of "nuclear reactor alchemy" 15 years ago. Professor Takagi is currently applying this transmutation technology to the development of cancer drugs, and this project may contribute to the future development of medical technology.

Professor Naoyuki Takagi, Tokyo City University

Crowdfunding Details

<Crowdfunding URL>.

https://camp-fire.jp/projects/view/764890

<Period

July 26 - September 30, 2024

<Goal

Achieved】 STEP 1 (4,000,000 yen): Completion of the lab background set

We will create a full-scale lab that will make children yearn to be scientists.

Image of children's experimental classroom

Achieved】STEP2(10 million yen): Completion of children's experiment classroom

We will create "a place where children can freely enjoy experiments" and "a place to nurture the eggs of scientists and researchers.

Image of lab background set

STEP3 (20 million yen): Challenge to alchemy (radiation capture reaction of reactor neutrons)

Perform real alchemy to turn mercury into gold.

Challenge to Alchemy

Organization: GENKI LABO Co.

Representative Genki Ichioka is a science artist and educational YouTuber who runs a YouTube channel "GENKI LABO" with over 1 million subscribers. He is also a visiting researcher at the University of Tokyo's Future Vision Research Center, and aims to brighten the future of Japan through science and technology.

Location : UFC 5F Ginza Wall Building, 6-13-16 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan

Home Page: https://sciencegenki.com/

Inquiries: https://tinyurl.com/2amd64cy