How can I turn ice into gold?
$begingroup$
I have my eyes on this new Porsche but all I have is an unlimited supply of ice and a molecular distillery. How can I convert this ice into gold?
The molecular distillery can disassemble and reassemble the molecules in any item but cannot add new molecules from nowhere not existing in whatever you put into it. For example, if you put in only Helium you cannot get out Platinum.
Thanks in advance
science-based technology science-fiction ice
New contributor
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|
show 6 more comments
$begingroup$
I have my eyes on this new Porsche but all I have is an unlimited supply of ice and a molecular distillery. How can I convert this ice into gold?
The molecular distillery can disassemble and reassemble the molecules in any item but cannot add new molecules from nowhere not existing in whatever you put into it. For example, if you put in only Helium you cannot get out Platinum.
Thanks in advance
science-based technology science-fiction ice
New contributor
$endgroup$
20
$begingroup$
You can sell your ice in a warm country and buy gold.
$endgroup$
– Alexander
11 hours ago
4
$begingroup$
@Alexander Nice answer ;)
$endgroup$
– user2966384
11 hours ago
5
$begingroup$
So the distillery can disassemble water molecules (into hydrogen and oxygen) but can't produce gold unless you put gold into it. Therefore the answer is to put gold into it and then extract the gold molecules. This sounds like a very expensive way to achieve nothing!
$endgroup$
– chasly from UK
11 hours ago
4
$begingroup$
Make a patent of your molecular distillery. You'd be rich in no-time.
$endgroup$
– Basher
11 hours ago
4
$begingroup$
No worry: thanks to the gravitational pull of your unlimited supply of ice it is the gold itself (and the Porsche) that is coming to you.
$endgroup$
– NofP
9 hours ago
|
show 6 more comments
$begingroup$
I have my eyes on this new Porsche but all I have is an unlimited supply of ice and a molecular distillery. How can I convert this ice into gold?
The molecular distillery can disassemble and reassemble the molecules in any item but cannot add new molecules from nowhere not existing in whatever you put into it. For example, if you put in only Helium you cannot get out Platinum.
Thanks in advance
science-based technology science-fiction ice
New contributor
$endgroup$
I have my eyes on this new Porsche but all I have is an unlimited supply of ice and a molecular distillery. How can I convert this ice into gold?
The molecular distillery can disassemble and reassemble the molecules in any item but cannot add new molecules from nowhere not existing in whatever you put into it. For example, if you put in only Helium you cannot get out Platinum.
Thanks in advance
science-based technology science-fiction ice
science-based technology science-fiction ice
New contributor
New contributor
edited 4 hours ago
L.Dutch♦
80.1k26192389
80.1k26192389
New contributor
asked 12 hours ago
user2966384user2966384
272
272
New contributor
New contributor
20
$begingroup$
You can sell your ice in a warm country and buy gold.
$endgroup$
– Alexander
11 hours ago
4
$begingroup$
@Alexander Nice answer ;)
$endgroup$
– user2966384
11 hours ago
5
$begingroup$
So the distillery can disassemble water molecules (into hydrogen and oxygen) but can't produce gold unless you put gold into it. Therefore the answer is to put gold into it and then extract the gold molecules. This sounds like a very expensive way to achieve nothing!
$endgroup$
– chasly from UK
11 hours ago
4
$begingroup$
Make a patent of your molecular distillery. You'd be rich in no-time.
$endgroup$
– Basher
11 hours ago
4
$begingroup$
No worry: thanks to the gravitational pull of your unlimited supply of ice it is the gold itself (and the Porsche) that is coming to you.
$endgroup$
– NofP
9 hours ago
|
show 6 more comments
20
$begingroup$
You can sell your ice in a warm country and buy gold.
$endgroup$
– Alexander
11 hours ago
4
$begingroup$
@Alexander Nice answer ;)
$endgroup$
– user2966384
11 hours ago
5
$begingroup$
So the distillery can disassemble water molecules (into hydrogen and oxygen) but can't produce gold unless you put gold into it. Therefore the answer is to put gold into it and then extract the gold molecules. This sounds like a very expensive way to achieve nothing!
$endgroup$
– chasly from UK
11 hours ago
4
$begingroup$
Make a patent of your molecular distillery. You'd be rich in no-time.
$endgroup$
– Basher
11 hours ago
4
$begingroup$
No worry: thanks to the gravitational pull of your unlimited supply of ice it is the gold itself (and the Porsche) that is coming to you.
$endgroup$
– NofP
9 hours ago
20
20
$begingroup$
You can sell your ice in a warm country and buy gold.
$endgroup$
– Alexander
11 hours ago
$begingroup$
You can sell your ice in a warm country and buy gold.
$endgroup$
– Alexander
11 hours ago
4
4
$begingroup$
@Alexander Nice answer ;)
$endgroup$
– user2966384
11 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Alexander Nice answer ;)
$endgroup$
– user2966384
11 hours ago
5
5
$begingroup$
So the distillery can disassemble water molecules (into hydrogen and oxygen) but can't produce gold unless you put gold into it. Therefore the answer is to put gold into it and then extract the gold molecules. This sounds like a very expensive way to achieve nothing!
$endgroup$
– chasly from UK
11 hours ago
$begingroup$
So the distillery can disassemble water molecules (into hydrogen and oxygen) but can't produce gold unless you put gold into it. Therefore the answer is to put gold into it and then extract the gold molecules. This sounds like a very expensive way to achieve nothing!
$endgroup$
– chasly from UK
11 hours ago
4
4
$begingroup$
Make a patent of your molecular distillery. You'd be rich in no-time.
$endgroup$
– Basher
11 hours ago
$begingroup$
Make a patent of your molecular distillery. You'd be rich in no-time.
$endgroup$
– Basher
11 hours ago
4
4
$begingroup$
No worry: thanks to the gravitational pull of your unlimited supply of ice it is the gold itself (and the Porsche) that is coming to you.
$endgroup$
– NofP
9 hours ago
$begingroup$
No worry: thanks to the gravitational pull of your unlimited supply of ice it is the gold itself (and the Porsche) that is coming to you.
$endgroup$
– NofP
9 hours ago
|
show 6 more comments
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
Molecules are formed by atoms. Each atom is of a type (element).
Gold is an element.
Water is formed by the elements hydrogen and oxygen.
You cannot combine oxygen and hydrogen in molecules to create gold.
To create gold atoms from oxygen and/or hydrogen atoms you need to "change" the atoms to a different element, and that requires nuclear reactions.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
According to the National Ocean Service, our oceans hold some 20 million pounds of gold, suspended in normal seawater. But this gold is spread throughout the normal mineral content of seawater to the tune of “parts per trillion.” As the NOAA puts it, “Each liter of seawater contains, on average, about 13 billionths of a gram of gold.”.
So all you need to do is spend a few years filtering the rim of the south pole. It will take about 20 billion liters of seawater to get enojgh gold to craft a ring. It will cost millions in electricity as well.
You can get gold much faster by getting a job.
$endgroup$
4
$begingroup$
This will not work. You have to start with ice, not ocean water. The unlimited supply of ice presumably comes from icebergs but icebergs are made from fresh water from glaciers so they won't contain any gold. nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/iceberg
$endgroup$
– chasly from UK
11 hours ago
$begingroup$
@chaslyfromUK fine. But some of the ice st the rim of the douth pole is congealed seawater.
$endgroup$
– Renan
11 hours ago
$begingroup$
@chaslyfromUK - Sorry, but the answer did not specify icebergs. Sea ice is formed by freezing sea water. With that said, it's still a really bad idea. As ice forms the crystallization tends to exclude anything but water. The same effect can be used as a low-temperature distillation process for stuff like apple-jack. Hard cider which freezes has pockets of high-proof stuff. You crush the ice and discard it, leaving the good stuff behind. In this case, new sea ice contains pockets of brine, so it can be used, but old sea ice is essentially fresh, as the brine pockets eventually drain.
$endgroup$
– WhatRoughBeast
10 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Well, you've explicitly stated "For example, if you put in only Helium you cannot get out Platinum." By the same token, therefore, you cannot only put in hydrogen and oxygen (ice) and get out gold.
Therefore, let's get creative. Depending on how the machine works (whether it obeys the conservation of energy, for instance, or has a source of energy otherwise inaccessible to you, and whether it can rearrange atoms, or merely molecules), you could:
- Arrange the hydrogen and oxygen atoms into stable sturdy solids with convenient handwavy properties (asserted for narrative purposes to exist), arranged in a manner forming an atomic distillery capable of converting ice to gold. (Depends on the machine producing structures, and not just substances. Also depends on having plans for an atomic distillery.)
- Convert the ice to hydrogen and oxygen, burn it for energy (forming water again), and sell the energy. (Depends on needing no energy; violates law of conservation of energy.)
- Convert CO2 from the air into solid carbon and gaseous oxygen (or bind the oxygen to st else). Sell the service as an anti-global-warming approach. (Requires the ability to process massive amounts of gas, or really shady and tricky marketing.)
- Find an expensive compound made of cheap materials and sell that. (Assumes few people have one of these machines.)
- Rent out the machine for INSANE amounts of money. (Assumes modern-day world.)
Just some ideas.
New contributor
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
Point #1 raises the question: Can a 3D printer print another 3D printer?
$endgroup$
– Peregrine Rook
10 hours ago
$begingroup$
@PeregrineRook yes. They can print the parts, which are then assembled.
$endgroup$
– NofP
10 hours ago
$begingroup$
@NofP but can a 3D printer print a (smaller) 3D printer with no assembly required?
$endgroup$
– John Dvorak
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
@John Dvorak - It doesn't have to be smaller. The printers could be foldable. The new one is printed in its compact, folded state then it just has to be unfolded or maybe it unfolds itself when plugged in.
$endgroup$
– chasly from UK
1 hour ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
You use the Dwarven Press process (TM). Now, while that is exclusively to turn lead to gold, the theory is the same.
Go to the busiest municipalities, and offer to deal with their trash for a nominal figure, much lower than any other competitor. They fall over themselves to give you the deal and claim that they've saved millions in the budget.
You set up your distillery at some point close to your clients to minimise transport costs. Make sure your zoning permits etc. are all compliant. Possibly set up multiple distilleries, if you have the technology, to avoid bureaucratic tangles, e.g., checks at international borders.
Convert the trash into something useful, e.g., fertiliser, metal ingots, plastic pellets. Sell at a profit. Buy DeBeers. Start producing and selling diamonds.
Buy your Porsche, or gold, as preferred.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
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4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
Molecules are formed by atoms. Each atom is of a type (element).
Gold is an element.
Water is formed by the elements hydrogen and oxygen.
You cannot combine oxygen and hydrogen in molecules to create gold.
To create gold atoms from oxygen and/or hydrogen atoms you need to "change" the atoms to a different element, and that requires nuclear reactions.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Molecules are formed by atoms. Each atom is of a type (element).
Gold is an element.
Water is formed by the elements hydrogen and oxygen.
You cannot combine oxygen and hydrogen in molecules to create gold.
To create gold atoms from oxygen and/or hydrogen atoms you need to "change" the atoms to a different element, and that requires nuclear reactions.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Molecules are formed by atoms. Each atom is of a type (element).
Gold is an element.
Water is formed by the elements hydrogen and oxygen.
You cannot combine oxygen and hydrogen in molecules to create gold.
To create gold atoms from oxygen and/or hydrogen atoms you need to "change" the atoms to a different element, and that requires nuclear reactions.
$endgroup$
Molecules are formed by atoms. Each atom is of a type (element).
Gold is an element.
Water is formed by the elements hydrogen and oxygen.
You cannot combine oxygen and hydrogen in molecules to create gold.
To create gold atoms from oxygen and/or hydrogen atoms you need to "change" the atoms to a different element, and that requires nuclear reactions.
edited 8 mins ago
Loong
250312
250312
answered 11 hours ago
SJuan76SJuan76
11.7k12348
11.7k12348
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
According to the National Ocean Service, our oceans hold some 20 million pounds of gold, suspended in normal seawater. But this gold is spread throughout the normal mineral content of seawater to the tune of “parts per trillion.” As the NOAA puts it, “Each liter of seawater contains, on average, about 13 billionths of a gram of gold.”.
So all you need to do is spend a few years filtering the rim of the south pole. It will take about 20 billion liters of seawater to get enojgh gold to craft a ring. It will cost millions in electricity as well.
You can get gold much faster by getting a job.
$endgroup$
4
$begingroup$
This will not work. You have to start with ice, not ocean water. The unlimited supply of ice presumably comes from icebergs but icebergs are made from fresh water from glaciers so they won't contain any gold. nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/iceberg
$endgroup$
– chasly from UK
11 hours ago
$begingroup$
@chaslyfromUK fine. But some of the ice st the rim of the douth pole is congealed seawater.
$endgroup$
– Renan
11 hours ago
$begingroup$
@chaslyfromUK - Sorry, but the answer did not specify icebergs. Sea ice is formed by freezing sea water. With that said, it's still a really bad idea. As ice forms the crystallization tends to exclude anything but water. The same effect can be used as a low-temperature distillation process for stuff like apple-jack. Hard cider which freezes has pockets of high-proof stuff. You crush the ice and discard it, leaving the good stuff behind. In this case, new sea ice contains pockets of brine, so it can be used, but old sea ice is essentially fresh, as the brine pockets eventually drain.
$endgroup$
– WhatRoughBeast
10 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
According to the National Ocean Service, our oceans hold some 20 million pounds of gold, suspended in normal seawater. But this gold is spread throughout the normal mineral content of seawater to the tune of “parts per trillion.” As the NOAA puts it, “Each liter of seawater contains, on average, about 13 billionths of a gram of gold.”.
So all you need to do is spend a few years filtering the rim of the south pole. It will take about 20 billion liters of seawater to get enojgh gold to craft a ring. It will cost millions in electricity as well.
You can get gold much faster by getting a job.
$endgroup$
4
$begingroup$
This will not work. You have to start with ice, not ocean water. The unlimited supply of ice presumably comes from icebergs but icebergs are made from fresh water from glaciers so they won't contain any gold. nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/iceberg
$endgroup$
– chasly from UK
11 hours ago
$begingroup$
@chaslyfromUK fine. But some of the ice st the rim of the douth pole is congealed seawater.
$endgroup$
– Renan
11 hours ago
$begingroup$
@chaslyfromUK - Sorry, but the answer did not specify icebergs. Sea ice is formed by freezing sea water. With that said, it's still a really bad idea. As ice forms the crystallization tends to exclude anything but water. The same effect can be used as a low-temperature distillation process for stuff like apple-jack. Hard cider which freezes has pockets of high-proof stuff. You crush the ice and discard it, leaving the good stuff behind. In this case, new sea ice contains pockets of brine, so it can be used, but old sea ice is essentially fresh, as the brine pockets eventually drain.
$endgroup$
– WhatRoughBeast
10 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
According to the National Ocean Service, our oceans hold some 20 million pounds of gold, suspended in normal seawater. But this gold is spread throughout the normal mineral content of seawater to the tune of “parts per trillion.” As the NOAA puts it, “Each liter of seawater contains, on average, about 13 billionths of a gram of gold.”.
So all you need to do is spend a few years filtering the rim of the south pole. It will take about 20 billion liters of seawater to get enojgh gold to craft a ring. It will cost millions in electricity as well.
You can get gold much faster by getting a job.
$endgroup$
According to the National Ocean Service, our oceans hold some 20 million pounds of gold, suspended in normal seawater. But this gold is spread throughout the normal mineral content of seawater to the tune of “parts per trillion.” As the NOAA puts it, “Each liter of seawater contains, on average, about 13 billionths of a gram of gold.”.
So all you need to do is spend a few years filtering the rim of the south pole. It will take about 20 billion liters of seawater to get enojgh gold to craft a ring. It will cost millions in electricity as well.
You can get gold much faster by getting a job.
edited 11 hours ago
answered 11 hours ago
RenanRenan
46k11109233
46k11109233
4
$begingroup$
This will not work. You have to start with ice, not ocean water. The unlimited supply of ice presumably comes from icebergs but icebergs are made from fresh water from glaciers so they won't contain any gold. nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/iceberg
$endgroup$
– chasly from UK
11 hours ago
$begingroup$
@chaslyfromUK fine. But some of the ice st the rim of the douth pole is congealed seawater.
$endgroup$
– Renan
11 hours ago
$begingroup$
@chaslyfromUK - Sorry, but the answer did not specify icebergs. Sea ice is formed by freezing sea water. With that said, it's still a really bad idea. As ice forms the crystallization tends to exclude anything but water. The same effect can be used as a low-temperature distillation process for stuff like apple-jack. Hard cider which freezes has pockets of high-proof stuff. You crush the ice and discard it, leaving the good stuff behind. In this case, new sea ice contains pockets of brine, so it can be used, but old sea ice is essentially fresh, as the brine pockets eventually drain.
$endgroup$
– WhatRoughBeast
10 hours ago
add a comment |
4
$begingroup$
This will not work. You have to start with ice, not ocean water. The unlimited supply of ice presumably comes from icebergs but icebergs are made from fresh water from glaciers so they won't contain any gold. nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/iceberg
$endgroup$
– chasly from UK
11 hours ago
$begingroup$
@chaslyfromUK fine. But some of the ice st the rim of the douth pole is congealed seawater.
$endgroup$
– Renan
11 hours ago
$begingroup$
@chaslyfromUK - Sorry, but the answer did not specify icebergs. Sea ice is formed by freezing sea water. With that said, it's still a really bad idea. As ice forms the crystallization tends to exclude anything but water. The same effect can be used as a low-temperature distillation process for stuff like apple-jack. Hard cider which freezes has pockets of high-proof stuff. You crush the ice and discard it, leaving the good stuff behind. In this case, new sea ice contains pockets of brine, so it can be used, but old sea ice is essentially fresh, as the brine pockets eventually drain.
$endgroup$
– WhatRoughBeast
10 hours ago
4
4
$begingroup$
This will not work. You have to start with ice, not ocean water. The unlimited supply of ice presumably comes from icebergs but icebergs are made from fresh water from glaciers so they won't contain any gold. nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/iceberg
$endgroup$
– chasly from UK
11 hours ago
$begingroup$
This will not work. You have to start with ice, not ocean water. The unlimited supply of ice presumably comes from icebergs but icebergs are made from fresh water from glaciers so they won't contain any gold. nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/iceberg
$endgroup$
– chasly from UK
11 hours ago
$begingroup$
@chaslyfromUK fine. But some of the ice st the rim of the douth pole is congealed seawater.
$endgroup$
– Renan
11 hours ago
$begingroup$
@chaslyfromUK fine. But some of the ice st the rim of the douth pole is congealed seawater.
$endgroup$
– Renan
11 hours ago
$begingroup$
@chaslyfromUK - Sorry, but the answer did not specify icebergs. Sea ice is formed by freezing sea water. With that said, it's still a really bad idea. As ice forms the crystallization tends to exclude anything but water. The same effect can be used as a low-temperature distillation process for stuff like apple-jack. Hard cider which freezes has pockets of high-proof stuff. You crush the ice and discard it, leaving the good stuff behind. In this case, new sea ice contains pockets of brine, so it can be used, but old sea ice is essentially fresh, as the brine pockets eventually drain.
$endgroup$
– WhatRoughBeast
10 hours ago
$begingroup$
@chaslyfromUK - Sorry, but the answer did not specify icebergs. Sea ice is formed by freezing sea water. With that said, it's still a really bad idea. As ice forms the crystallization tends to exclude anything but water. The same effect can be used as a low-temperature distillation process for stuff like apple-jack. Hard cider which freezes has pockets of high-proof stuff. You crush the ice and discard it, leaving the good stuff behind. In this case, new sea ice contains pockets of brine, so it can be used, but old sea ice is essentially fresh, as the brine pockets eventually drain.
$endgroup$
– WhatRoughBeast
10 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Well, you've explicitly stated "For example, if you put in only Helium you cannot get out Platinum." By the same token, therefore, you cannot only put in hydrogen and oxygen (ice) and get out gold.
Therefore, let's get creative. Depending on how the machine works (whether it obeys the conservation of energy, for instance, or has a source of energy otherwise inaccessible to you, and whether it can rearrange atoms, or merely molecules), you could:
- Arrange the hydrogen and oxygen atoms into stable sturdy solids with convenient handwavy properties (asserted for narrative purposes to exist), arranged in a manner forming an atomic distillery capable of converting ice to gold. (Depends on the machine producing structures, and not just substances. Also depends on having plans for an atomic distillery.)
- Convert the ice to hydrogen and oxygen, burn it for energy (forming water again), and sell the energy. (Depends on needing no energy; violates law of conservation of energy.)
- Convert CO2 from the air into solid carbon and gaseous oxygen (or bind the oxygen to st else). Sell the service as an anti-global-warming approach. (Requires the ability to process massive amounts of gas, or really shady and tricky marketing.)
- Find an expensive compound made of cheap materials and sell that. (Assumes few people have one of these machines.)
- Rent out the machine for INSANE amounts of money. (Assumes modern-day world.)
Just some ideas.
New contributor
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
Point #1 raises the question: Can a 3D printer print another 3D printer?
$endgroup$
– Peregrine Rook
10 hours ago
$begingroup$
@PeregrineRook yes. They can print the parts, which are then assembled.
$endgroup$
– NofP
10 hours ago
$begingroup$
@NofP but can a 3D printer print a (smaller) 3D printer with no assembly required?
$endgroup$
– John Dvorak
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
@John Dvorak - It doesn't have to be smaller. The printers could be foldable. The new one is printed in its compact, folded state then it just has to be unfolded or maybe it unfolds itself when plugged in.
$endgroup$
– chasly from UK
1 hour ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Well, you've explicitly stated "For example, if you put in only Helium you cannot get out Platinum." By the same token, therefore, you cannot only put in hydrogen and oxygen (ice) and get out gold.
Therefore, let's get creative. Depending on how the machine works (whether it obeys the conservation of energy, for instance, or has a source of energy otherwise inaccessible to you, and whether it can rearrange atoms, or merely molecules), you could:
- Arrange the hydrogen and oxygen atoms into stable sturdy solids with convenient handwavy properties (asserted for narrative purposes to exist), arranged in a manner forming an atomic distillery capable of converting ice to gold. (Depends on the machine producing structures, and not just substances. Also depends on having plans for an atomic distillery.)
- Convert the ice to hydrogen and oxygen, burn it for energy (forming water again), and sell the energy. (Depends on needing no energy; violates law of conservation of energy.)
- Convert CO2 from the air into solid carbon and gaseous oxygen (or bind the oxygen to st else). Sell the service as an anti-global-warming approach. (Requires the ability to process massive amounts of gas, or really shady and tricky marketing.)
- Find an expensive compound made of cheap materials and sell that. (Assumes few people have one of these machines.)
- Rent out the machine for INSANE amounts of money. (Assumes modern-day world.)
Just some ideas.
New contributor
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
Point #1 raises the question: Can a 3D printer print another 3D printer?
$endgroup$
– Peregrine Rook
10 hours ago
$begingroup$
@PeregrineRook yes. They can print the parts, which are then assembled.
$endgroup$
– NofP
10 hours ago
$begingroup$
@NofP but can a 3D printer print a (smaller) 3D printer with no assembly required?
$endgroup$
– John Dvorak
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
@John Dvorak - It doesn't have to be smaller. The printers could be foldable. The new one is printed in its compact, folded state then it just has to be unfolded or maybe it unfolds itself when plugged in.
$endgroup$
– chasly from UK
1 hour ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Well, you've explicitly stated "For example, if you put in only Helium you cannot get out Platinum." By the same token, therefore, you cannot only put in hydrogen and oxygen (ice) and get out gold.
Therefore, let's get creative. Depending on how the machine works (whether it obeys the conservation of energy, for instance, or has a source of energy otherwise inaccessible to you, and whether it can rearrange atoms, or merely molecules), you could:
- Arrange the hydrogen and oxygen atoms into stable sturdy solids with convenient handwavy properties (asserted for narrative purposes to exist), arranged in a manner forming an atomic distillery capable of converting ice to gold. (Depends on the machine producing structures, and not just substances. Also depends on having plans for an atomic distillery.)
- Convert the ice to hydrogen and oxygen, burn it for energy (forming water again), and sell the energy. (Depends on needing no energy; violates law of conservation of energy.)
- Convert CO2 from the air into solid carbon and gaseous oxygen (or bind the oxygen to st else). Sell the service as an anti-global-warming approach. (Requires the ability to process massive amounts of gas, or really shady and tricky marketing.)
- Find an expensive compound made of cheap materials and sell that. (Assumes few people have one of these machines.)
- Rent out the machine for INSANE amounts of money. (Assumes modern-day world.)
Just some ideas.
New contributor
$endgroup$
Well, you've explicitly stated "For example, if you put in only Helium you cannot get out Platinum." By the same token, therefore, you cannot only put in hydrogen and oxygen (ice) and get out gold.
Therefore, let's get creative. Depending on how the machine works (whether it obeys the conservation of energy, for instance, or has a source of energy otherwise inaccessible to you, and whether it can rearrange atoms, or merely molecules), you could:
- Arrange the hydrogen and oxygen atoms into stable sturdy solids with convenient handwavy properties (asserted for narrative purposes to exist), arranged in a manner forming an atomic distillery capable of converting ice to gold. (Depends on the machine producing structures, and not just substances. Also depends on having plans for an atomic distillery.)
- Convert the ice to hydrogen and oxygen, burn it for energy (forming water again), and sell the energy. (Depends on needing no energy; violates law of conservation of energy.)
- Convert CO2 from the air into solid carbon and gaseous oxygen (or bind the oxygen to st else). Sell the service as an anti-global-warming approach. (Requires the ability to process massive amounts of gas, or really shady and tricky marketing.)
- Find an expensive compound made of cheap materials and sell that. (Assumes few people have one of these machines.)
- Rent out the machine for INSANE amounts of money. (Assumes modern-day world.)
Just some ideas.
New contributor
New contributor
answered 10 hours ago
ErhannisErhannis
1212
1212
New contributor
New contributor
1
$begingroup$
Point #1 raises the question: Can a 3D printer print another 3D printer?
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– Peregrine Rook
10 hours ago
$begingroup$
@PeregrineRook yes. They can print the parts, which are then assembled.
$endgroup$
– NofP
10 hours ago
$begingroup$
@NofP but can a 3D printer print a (smaller) 3D printer with no assembly required?
$endgroup$
– John Dvorak
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
@John Dvorak - It doesn't have to be smaller. The printers could be foldable. The new one is printed in its compact, folded state then it just has to be unfolded or maybe it unfolds itself when plugged in.
$endgroup$
– chasly from UK
1 hour ago
add a comment |
1
$begingroup$
Point #1 raises the question: Can a 3D printer print another 3D printer?
$endgroup$
– Peregrine Rook
10 hours ago
$begingroup$
@PeregrineRook yes. They can print the parts, which are then assembled.
$endgroup$
– NofP
10 hours ago
$begingroup$
@NofP but can a 3D printer print a (smaller) 3D printer with no assembly required?
$endgroup$
– John Dvorak
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
@John Dvorak - It doesn't have to be smaller. The printers could be foldable. The new one is printed in its compact, folded state then it just has to be unfolded or maybe it unfolds itself when plugged in.
$endgroup$
– chasly from UK
1 hour ago
1
1
$begingroup$
Point #1 raises the question: Can a 3D printer print another 3D printer?
$endgroup$
– Peregrine Rook
10 hours ago
$begingroup$
Point #1 raises the question: Can a 3D printer print another 3D printer?
$endgroup$
– Peregrine Rook
10 hours ago
$begingroup$
@PeregrineRook yes. They can print the parts, which are then assembled.
$endgroup$
– NofP
10 hours ago
$begingroup$
@PeregrineRook yes. They can print the parts, which are then assembled.
$endgroup$
– NofP
10 hours ago
$begingroup$
@NofP but can a 3D printer print a (smaller) 3D printer with no assembly required?
$endgroup$
– John Dvorak
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
@NofP but can a 3D printer print a (smaller) 3D printer with no assembly required?
$endgroup$
– John Dvorak
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
@John Dvorak - It doesn't have to be smaller. The printers could be foldable. The new one is printed in its compact, folded state then it just has to be unfolded or maybe it unfolds itself when plugged in.
$endgroup$
– chasly from UK
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@John Dvorak - It doesn't have to be smaller. The printers could be foldable. The new one is printed in its compact, folded state then it just has to be unfolded or maybe it unfolds itself when plugged in.
$endgroup$
– chasly from UK
1 hour ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
You use the Dwarven Press process (TM). Now, while that is exclusively to turn lead to gold, the theory is the same.
Go to the busiest municipalities, and offer to deal with their trash for a nominal figure, much lower than any other competitor. They fall over themselves to give you the deal and claim that they've saved millions in the budget.
You set up your distillery at some point close to your clients to minimise transport costs. Make sure your zoning permits etc. are all compliant. Possibly set up multiple distilleries, if you have the technology, to avoid bureaucratic tangles, e.g., checks at international borders.
Convert the trash into something useful, e.g., fertiliser, metal ingots, plastic pellets. Sell at a profit. Buy DeBeers. Start producing and selling diamonds.
Buy your Porsche, or gold, as preferred.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
You use the Dwarven Press process (TM). Now, while that is exclusively to turn lead to gold, the theory is the same.
Go to the busiest municipalities, and offer to deal with their trash for a nominal figure, much lower than any other competitor. They fall over themselves to give you the deal and claim that they've saved millions in the budget.
You set up your distillery at some point close to your clients to minimise transport costs. Make sure your zoning permits etc. are all compliant. Possibly set up multiple distilleries, if you have the technology, to avoid bureaucratic tangles, e.g., checks at international borders.
Convert the trash into something useful, e.g., fertiliser, metal ingots, plastic pellets. Sell at a profit. Buy DeBeers. Start producing and selling diamonds.
Buy your Porsche, or gold, as preferred.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
You use the Dwarven Press process (TM). Now, while that is exclusively to turn lead to gold, the theory is the same.
Go to the busiest municipalities, and offer to deal with their trash for a nominal figure, much lower than any other competitor. They fall over themselves to give you the deal and claim that they've saved millions in the budget.
You set up your distillery at some point close to your clients to minimise transport costs. Make sure your zoning permits etc. are all compliant. Possibly set up multiple distilleries, if you have the technology, to avoid bureaucratic tangles, e.g., checks at international borders.
Convert the trash into something useful, e.g., fertiliser, metal ingots, plastic pellets. Sell at a profit. Buy DeBeers. Start producing and selling diamonds.
Buy your Porsche, or gold, as preferred.
$endgroup$
You use the Dwarven Press process (TM). Now, while that is exclusively to turn lead to gold, the theory is the same.
Go to the busiest municipalities, and offer to deal with their trash for a nominal figure, much lower than any other competitor. They fall over themselves to give you the deal and claim that they've saved millions in the budget.
You set up your distillery at some point close to your clients to minimise transport costs. Make sure your zoning permits etc. are all compliant. Possibly set up multiple distilleries, if you have the technology, to avoid bureaucratic tangles, e.g., checks at international borders.
Convert the trash into something useful, e.g., fertiliser, metal ingots, plastic pellets. Sell at a profit. Buy DeBeers. Start producing and selling diamonds.
Buy your Porsche, or gold, as preferred.
answered 3 hours ago
nzamannzaman
9,43411544
9,43411544
add a comment |
add a comment |
user2966384 is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
user2966384 is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
user2966384 is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
user2966384 is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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20
$begingroup$
You can sell your ice in a warm country and buy gold.
$endgroup$
– Alexander
11 hours ago
4
$begingroup$
@Alexander Nice answer ;)
$endgroup$
– user2966384
11 hours ago
5
$begingroup$
So the distillery can disassemble water molecules (into hydrogen and oxygen) but can't produce gold unless you put gold into it. Therefore the answer is to put gold into it and then extract the gold molecules. This sounds like a very expensive way to achieve nothing!
$endgroup$
– chasly from UK
11 hours ago
4
$begingroup$
Make a patent of your molecular distillery. You'd be rich in no-time.
$endgroup$
– Basher
11 hours ago
4
$begingroup$
No worry: thanks to the gravitational pull of your unlimited supply of ice it is the gold itself (and the Porsche) that is coming to you.
$endgroup$
– NofP
9 hours ago