Fusion Neutrons Make Gold

Scalable Chrysopoeia via (n, 2n) Reactions Driven by Deuterium-Tritium Fusion Neutrons Adam Rutkowski*, Jake Harter and Jason Parisi Marathon Fusion, 150 Mississippi, San Francisco, 94107, CA, USA. *Corresponding author(s). E-mail(s): adam@marathonfusion.com; Abstract A scalable approach for chrysopoeia—the transmutation of base metals into gold—has been pursued for millennia. While there have been small-scale demonstrations in particle accelerators and proposals involving thermal neutron capture, no economically attractive approach has yet been identified. We show a new scalable method to synthesize stable gold (¹⁹⁷Au) from the abundant mercury isotope ¹⁹⁸Hg using (n, 2n) reactions in a specialized neutron multiplier layer of a fusion blanket. Reactions are driven by fast 14 MeV neutrons provided by a deuterium-tritium fusion plasma, which are uniquely capable of enabling the desired reaction pathway at scale. Crucially, the scheme identified here does not negatively impact electricity production, and is also compatible with the challenging tritium breeding requirements of fusion power plant design because (n, 2n) reactions of ¹⁹⁸Hg drive both transmutation and neutron multiplication. Using neutronics simulations, we demonstrate a tokamak with a blanket configuration that can produce ¹⁹⁷Au at a rate of about 2 t/GWth/yr. Implementation of this concept allows fusion power plants to double the revenue generated by the system, dramatically enhancing the economic viability of fusion energy. Keywords: Nuclear Fusion, Transmutation

A mock academic paper presents a method for converting mercury into gold using deuterium-tritium fusion neutrons, claiming that fusion power plants could double their revenue. The joke is that the absurd alchemy pitch is dressed up in highly technical scientific language, making it a reaction to claims that a fusion reactor needs a more profitable business model. EN: A mock academic paper presents a method for converting mercury into gold using deuterium-tritium fusion neutrons, claiming that fusion power plants could double their revenue. The joke is that the absurd alchemy pitch is dressed up in highly technical scientific language, making it a reaction to claims that a fusion reactor needs a more profitable business model.

• @memetutorial / 20149 2026-01-13