this post was submitted on 27 Jul 2025
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178
Startup Claims Its Fusion Reactor Concept Can Turn Cheap Mercury Into Gold (gizmodo.com)
submitted 3 days ago by UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world
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Last week, Marathon Fusion, a San Francisco-based energy startup, submitted a preprint detailing an action plan for synthesizing gold particles via nuclear transmutation—essentially the process of turning one element into another by tweaking its nucleus. The paper, which has yet to undergo peer review, argues that the proposed system would offer a new revenue stream from all the new gold being produced, in addition to other economic and technological benefits.

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[–] Boddhisatva@lemmy.world 6 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Could have an interesting impact on the gold market if it can be done at scale.

Before figuring that out, they just need to develop a functioning fusion reactor. And since fusion energy is, as it has always been, a mere ten years off, it's probable that such reactors will take longer to be developed than it will take that radioactive gold to be safe to handle.

[–] Chronographs@lemmy.zip 12 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Well getting more energy out of a fusion reactor than you put in is the really hard part, if you’re just doing it to make gold I imagine it’s easier

[–] Venator@lemmy.nz 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

maybe you could use an h-bomb to do it, those have been around since 1951

[–] Chronographs@lemmy.zip 1 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Well that’d be fusing hydrogen, so an Au-bomb maybe. Or Hg-bomb?

[–] Venator@lemmy.nz 1 points 2 days ago

Or contain the explosion inside a chamber with some mercury in it 🤣