Beyond Thermodynamic Barriers: Managing Nuclear Waste with External Fields

This study develops a theoretical framework that bridges nuclear physics and materials science by examining how externally applied electromagnetic fields can influence the electron capture (EC) decay process within solid materials containing radioactive isotopes. Rather than relying on a conventional single-atom analysis, we propose a macroscopic collective model that considers the cooperative behavior of atoms in a bulk matrix. Through a detailed quantitative approach—introducing an Enhancement Factor (EF) and a comprehensive energy balance model—we demonstrate that supplying energy to only a small fraction of atoms in a solid can induce a collective response, potentially initiating a self-sustaining transformation. This work provides a new conceptual pathway for understanding field–material coupling phenomena in systems with high energy densities and offers a theoretical foundation for future innovations in nuclear waste stabilization and advanced materials engineering.