The secret of Earth’s “golden kitchen.”

Scientists have just published a new study explaining why volcanic arcs contain exceptionally high amounts of gold.

In the Kermadec region of the South Pacific, high-temperature fusion processes have caused the release of metals, including gold, by sulfur in magma flows.

What is remarkable is that the depleted mantle in this area melts repeatedly. This repeated fusion process completely releases the gold contained in sulfur minerals, resulting in a much higher gold concentration than in mid-ocean ridge areas.

Although gold reserves at the bottom of the oceans are insufficient for economic exploitation, this discovery allows scientists to better understand Earth’s workings. Gold is precious not only for its physical properties but also for its complex geological journey before appearing on the surface.

NASA is preparing to send a nuclear-powered aircraft to Titan.

NASA has announced its intention to launch Dragonfly – an eight-rotor drone resembling a helicopter – to Titan, Saturn’s largest moon, in 2028. Dragonfly is expected to begin its journey through Titan’s dense, icy atmosphere by 2034.

Dragonfly is equipped with an MMRTG nuclear battery, allowing it to function and maintain operation at temperatures as low as -180°C. With a range of scientific instruments such as a mass spectrometer, meteorological instruments, and cameras, it will explore the surface and atmosphere in search of signs of life or biological precursors.

The first landing site consists of the Shangri-La dunes, near the equator. Dragonfly will then travel to the Selk impact crater to study materials beneath its surface. This mission, with a minimum duration of three years, promises to shed new light on the possibility of extraterrestrial life.

Nickel-63 nuclear batteries have a lifespan of 100 years.

American company NRD has launched its range of NBV (Non-Volatile Nuclear Energy) batteries, which use the isotope nickel-63 to produce electricity through beta decay. This design allows for continuous electrical power for over a century without maintenance and targets devices with very low energy consumption.

NBV batteries are compact (20 x 20 x 12 mm) and offer a power output of 5 to 500 nanowatts, a voltage of 1 to 20 V, and a current of only a few nanoamperes. Despite their very low power, they are suitable for sensors, environmental monitoring systems, security systems, and automated AI platforms requiring a stable and durable energy source.

NRD emphasizes that this product represents a significant advancement in the application of nuclear materials to next-generation energy solutions. However, its practical efficiency depends on the ability to integrate and independently verify it, as while nickel-63 has a long half-life, safety and efficiency must be guaranteed.

Source: Original Article