The long-sought dream of alchemists to turn base metals into gold may soon become a reality, not through ancient mysticism, but through the cutting-edge science of fusion energy. 

Marathon Fusion, a company founded in 2023 by Adam Rutkowski and Kyle Schiller, is developing tokamak fusion reactor technology that promises not only limitless clean energy but also the astonishing byproduct of gold production.

Historically, the transmutation of elements was a goal that eluded alchemists, though their endeavors laid foundational work for modern chemistry. While 20th-century physicists achieved transmutation on minuscule and economically unfeasible scales, Marathon Fusion's innovative approach aims to change this paradigm significantly.


The core of Marathon Fusion's groundbreaking technology involves harnessing high-energy neutrons generated from deuterium-tritium fusion reactions. 

These neutrons are used to drive a "multiplication" reaction on mercury-198, which lines the reactor vessel. When a fast neutron strikes mercury-198, it transforms into unstable mercury-197. This mercury-197 then undergoes electron capture decay, converting into stable gold-197 within a few days.

Marathon Fusion claims that their reactor can produce approximately five tonnes of gold from mercury for every gigawatt of electricity generated annually. To optimize this process, Marathon scientists suggest using mercury enriched to 90% of the desired isotope. After exposure to the reactor, the newly formed gold can be chemically separated from the mercury amalgam.

The economic implications of this discovery are profound. With five tonnes of gold per year valued at over US$544 million (based on current market prices), this potential revenue stream could substantially offset reactor operating costs, significantly enhancing the economics of fusion energy and potentially doubling the value of fusion facilities.

Marathon Fusion's mission is dedicated to accelerating the delivery of fusion energy with improved economics through the development of these advanced fuel cycle technologies. 

This innovation not only offers a new method for producing critical minerals but also addresses the long-standing challenge of scalable gold transmutation, all while contributing to a future of clean energy. 

The company is supported by various awards from the US Department of Energy, the Breakthrough Energy Fellows program, and leading investors, marking a significant step towards a future where clean energy and valuable resource production go hand-in-hand.

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