Energy startup Marathon Fusion claims to have found a scalable way to turn mercury into gold, but they still have much to prove.

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.

  • ch00f@lemmy.worldEnglish
    17·
    26 days ago

    This is like a reverse Goldfinger plan. Could have an interesting impact on the gold market if it can be done at scale.

    I’m sure most gold mining operations take at least a few years to get permitted and started and then there’s risk that you won’t find as much gold as expected.

    Compared to a lump of gold that all you have to do is not lose it and it will appreciate in value all on its own.

    • Boddhisatva@lemmy.worldEnglish
      61·
      26 days ago

      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.