Resolving beryllium safety issue

Because of the importance (in my mind, and in that of at least one moderator) my original safety warning is being augmented
with this problem solving discussion. And in this case established as a thread and once again "brought to the top".
I would hope to encourage critical and thoughtful discussion.

If you have not already, please also read my "Safety Warning! posted at "Replication Attempts" Wednesday May 13/2015.

Repeating a request: Until further clarification of the issue raised, I would appreciate if someone with the authority would at least dialog
with me concerning the possibility of raising a mutually agreeable lithium 7 to beryllium 7 warning to "Sticky".

I welcome ANY comments, critiques.

So far I have responded to 'me356' and 'Rical' in regards to this issue at this Forum. Further I have exchanged an
email or two with Peter Gluck (I appreciate very much the kind words Peter).

But, for now "the silence nearly deafening". And no response directly from administrators / moderators
with the exception of Alain Coetmeur (thanks!) and as mentioned Peter (thanks again!).

I emphasize that at this point there appears to be no simple "shoot and read" way to quantify
this isotope of non-radioactive beryllium (7) in this particular context of lithium 7.
As it stands the mass difference between Be 7 and Li 7 continues to appear to
be not even an electron's worth (I'd be happy to be corrected on
that!).

Since nearly all the effort in isotopic analysis today appears to be focused
on stable isotopes, the presence or absence of Be 7 may have to be augmented with older
style techniques to first differentiate or separate the two based on valence electronic structure
which fortunately is completely distinct in these metals. That is to say, there are certain techniques
that might be adapted to address this unusual situation.

The two elemental ions of Be 7 and Li 7, regardless of their nearly identical masses, have absolutely
distinct valence electron features-- Li+ is a univalent cation., Be 2+ is a divalent cation-- no ambiguity
of multi-valent species present-- a fortunate simplifying circumstance.

To me, as a rank amateur in analytical chemistry, the simplest start would be to use a selective chelation or ion-exchange to
isolate the two ions from each other, then run each through a suitable mass spec. Such an isolation effort should involve
perfecting a dedicated procedure, generally using off-the-shelf or readily available reagents. The goal at that stage would
be to test and trouble-shoot the isolation / separation scheme.

For development and for ultimate use in analysis, a known quantity of another univalent such as Na +, and a known quantity of a divalent such
as Mg 2+ could be spiked as controls / quantitative references in known concentration on each side (Be and Li) of the
isolation. Further on in the analysis, known stable isotopes such as Li 6 and Be 9 might be spiked as controls, to be used in the
mass spec phase to give nearly absolute quantitative reference levels since they would each have the identical valence chemistry /
ionicity as their respective analyte isotope. Such radiostable controls which share [very nearly] identical chemistry but have distinct but nearby
atomic weights would serve to control for handling and processing variables by providing nearly absolute quantitative reference
standards.

Anyone having alternative or refining suggestions, please address the issue here. Anyone in the position to do such an analysis and enough
experience to swiftly carry it out. Let us know. Remember there is may well be some funding for perfecting such basic research tools as
"otherwise impossible isotopic analysis"

Thanks,

Longview

Arnaud recently pointed out that the Lugano ash analysis showed Lithium 6 at 90% of the lithium content. Before Arnaud's post, I had not realized the implication of those results. Now that it is important, and in retrospect, I agree that they provide good evidence that only or mainly the Li 7 is reacting in at least the Rossi type reactors that have lithium.

If the ash values are correct and can be seen in other replication results. That is, if lithium 6 does not react-- Then this is very good "safety" news for anyone doing Rossi type experiments.

It does appear, at least, that folks will be careful with protection against any possible inhalation or other ingestion of any reactor dust.

Alpha emitters (often easily shielded by thin rubber gloves), are often the worst offenders with respect to inhalation. It's a long story, but there are good reasons for this.