Marathon fusion claims mercury to gold breakthrough

The tantalising prospect of transforming base metals into gold has captivated thinkers throughout history from ancient Egyptians to Sir Isaac Newton. Now, a Silicon Valley start-up, Marathon Fusion, asserts it has finally unlocked this age-old enigma using advanced nuclear fusion technology.

Marathon Fusion’s innovative approach involves bombarding mercury isotopes with high-energy neutrons, a by-product of nuclear fusion where two isotopes of hydrogen are fused to create helium. This process opens up new avenues for alchemical transmutation alongside the generation of energy. The company has proclaimed that its method is scalable, pragmatic, and economically enticing.

According to Marathon Fusion, the process does not compromise fuel self-sufficiency or power output. Their scientific publication, which remains under peer review, details how mercury-198 can be transformed into a less stable form that eventually decays into stable gold over a period of days. A fusion power plant capable of producing one gigawatt could yield around 5,000 kilograms of gold annually, a lucrative by-product of energy generation.

The implications for the economics of fusion energy are profound. Marathon’s techno-economic modelling posits that the value created from gold production could rival that generated from electricity, potentially doubling the financial attractiveness of fusion energy facilities.

In addition to the allure of gold, Marathon Fusion suggests this transmutation technique could have broader applications, including the synthesis of precious metals like palladium and medical isotopes. The company’s foundation members have significant backgrounds in engineering and research, including notable positions at SpaceX and Schmidt Futures.

This breakthrough signals a transformative moment in both fusion technology and energy economics, ushering in what Marathon Fusion describes as a new golden age.