Maybe not quite a "Holy Grail," but a possible solution nonetheless. It seems like the spent fuel would have to be removed from the reactor as it is currently and transported to a safe storage location on or off site in order for the bacteria to have a controlled environment to work their alleged magic. But you'd also have to consider the type of fuel. It would likely take less time for bacteria to attack and transform nuclear pellets than fuel rods, because the pellets have a greater surface area to "attack."
It'd be interesting to get more information on how long it takes the bacteria to transform the material, the lifespan, and reproductive cycle of the bacteria. If you need a massive quantity, it may not be quite so feasible.
Slashdot Mirror
Did anyone else see the last episode of Stargate? Small creatures + radioactivity = large man eating monsters
Maybe not quite a "Holy Grail," but a possible solution nonetheless. It seems like the spent fuel would have to be removed from the reactor as it is currently and transported to a safe storage location on or off site in order for the bacteria to have a controlled environment to work their alleged magic. But you'd also have to consider the type of fuel. It would likely take less time for bacteria to attack and transform nuclear pellets than fuel rods, because the pellets have a greater surface area to "attack."
It'd be interesting to get more information on how long it takes the bacteria to transform the material, the lifespan, and reproductive cycle of the bacteria. If you need a massive quantity, it may not be quite so feasible.
... if we redirected all airline fees toward teleportation technologies.
Both true. Didn't think of those angles.
They make more revenue, but they've also raised the price of postage several times in the past 5 years.
Maybe this is the real story:
Less mail, higher charges = more money for USPS