The ancient quest to turn base metals into gold—long dismissed as the folly of medieval alchemists—is finding surprising traction in the world of modern science. Thanks to breakthroughs in nuclear physics and fusion research, the fantasy of transmuting elements is no longer confined to dusty scrolls or myth. Enter Marathon Fusion, a California-based startup now making headlines with an audacious claim: they can manufacture gold from mercury using nuclear fusion.
While this sounds like a headline from a science fiction novel, the scientific foundation isn’t entirely outlandish.
The Science Behind Turning Mercury Into Gold
Traditional alchemists believed in mystical transformations, but today’s scientists know that changing one element into another is possible through particle physics. At the core of Marathon Fusion’s proposal lies a technique involving neutron radiation within fusion reactors.
Here’s how it works: by bombarding mercury-198 with high-energy neutrons, the isotope is transformed into radioactive mercury-197, which then decays into stable gold-197—the very same form of gold found in nature.
In theory, a gigawatt-scale thermal fusion reactor could generate several tonnes of gold per year through this process. But that’s a very big “if.”
Not the First Gold Chase in Physics
The idea of creating gold isn’t entirely new. At CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC) near Geneva, physicists routinely smash particles together at near-light speeds. Occasionally, these high-energy collisions produce tiny traces of gold.
One particular experiment, known as ALICE, generated a mere 29 picograms of gold—that’s 0.000000000029 grams—over four years. At that rate, it would take longer than the current age of the universe to yield even a single troy ounce of gold. Clearly, particle accelerators are far from practical gold-making machines.
So why is Marathon Fusion’s approach any different?
Enter the “Digital Twin”
Marathon Fusion is betting big on its sophisticated “digital twin” simulation model. This advanced computer model replicates the physics of a future fusion reactor and simulates the conditions needed for neutron bombardment and gold transmutation.
According to their projections, it’s theoretically possible to mass-produce gold inside a properly functioning fusion plant. However, it’s important to note: no such commercial fusion reactor exists yet.
Fusion reactors—like the ones Marathon envisions—are still under development worldwide. Projects like the UK’s Joint European Torus (JET) have shown some progress, but their energy output remains modest. Hope now lies in next-generation models like the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP), slated to become operational in the 2040s.
Until then, it’s mostly simulation and speculation.
The Hidden Cost: Radioactive Gold
Even if we assume the process works as designed, there’s another major hurdle—radioactivity. The gold formed from this fusion process wouldn’t be instantly usable. Initially, it would be radioactive, requiring extended decay periods and meticulous handling before it’s safe for any kind of commercial or personal use.
This adds considerable time, cost, and complexity to an already ambitious process.
Scientific Plausibility vs. Practical Reality
The idea of turning mercury into gold through fusion is, technically speaking, scientifically plausible. But there’s a big difference between being theoretically possible and being commercially viable. From sourcing mercury isotopes to generating neutron flux above 6 million electron volts, the process requires technological advancements we haven’t yet achieved.
Moreover, fusion power itself is still an experimental frontier. Until stable, energy-positive fusion reactors become a reality, gold manufacturing will remain more of a conceptual breakthrough than a commercial one.
A New Gold Rush—or Just a Dream?
Marathon Fusion’s claim has sparked interest from both scientific and investment communities. If they succeed, it could trigger a new “gold rush”—albeit one fueled not by mining, but by megawatts and subatomic particles. But for now, the dream remains a long shot, balanced delicately between inspiration and improbability.
Just like the alchemists of old, today’s fusion pioneers are chasing something bigger than gold. They’re chasing the transformation of energy, matter, and possibility itself.
Whether that journey ends in golden riches or just scientific milestones, only time—and fusion—will tell.
