In a discovery that would have left ancient alchemists befuddled, Marathon Fusion has made two startling announcements: its tokamak fusion reactor is capable of turning common mercury into gold as a byproduct of energy production. The longstanding mystical ambition of ancient philosophers to transform low-value metals into gold by means of the elusive Philosopher’s Stone could soon be coming to fruition, but not in the form of magic, but rather through science.
Over the centuries, alchemists attempted to turn lead, tin and mercury into gold through primitive chemistry, philosophy and spiritual faith. They provided the foundations of modern chemistry, but genuine transmutation was not achieved. Although atomic transmutation was accomplished by nuclear reactions in the 20th century, the resulting gold was microscopic and too costly to be useful.
But in the modern world, the situation may be different due to the modern fusion technology. Marathon Fusion claims that their tokamak reactor, which is mainly aimed at providing clean, limitless energy, can also produce five tonnes of gold per gigawatt of electricity produced. That is more than US$544 million a year at today’s prices.
The transmutation process is simple and beautiful. Conventionally, fusion reactors have lithium liners to breed tritium fuel. On its absorption of a neutron, lithium forms tritium and an alpha particle. The scientists at Marathon suggest substituting or mixing this with mercury-198. Mercury-198 is bombarded by fast neutrons to produce mercury-197, which electron captures to become stable gold-197.
Provided the mercury is enriched to 90 percent of the desired isotope and combined with lithium in an alloy, the system can generate tritium and gold at the same time. The gold, which is chemically inert, will be easily removed out of the amalgam after exposure.
Although the results are subject to the preprint article that has not been peer-reviewed yet, the consequences are mind-blowing. Fusion reactors not only had the power to energize the planet, but they could turn into gold-making engines as well. Should it be confirmed and exploited, this would change the economics of energy and the precious metals business—and alchemy would finally have become a reality.
