[Lex Computer & Tech Group/LCTG] Fwd: Gold from excess neutrons in a Tokamak fusion reactor

[Larry Wittig]

I'm not sure I sent the original message to the correct list.

-- Larry

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Larry Wittig <9423lew at gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Jul 25, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Subject: Gold from excess neutrons in a Tokamak fusion reactor
To: <LCTG-Extended-subscribe at toku.us>


See: https://newatlas.com/science/fusion-reactors-put-king-midas-shame-gold-department/

According to Marathon Fusion – a company dedicated to the development
of fusion energy components – a tokamak fusion reactor can not only
produce limitless clean energy, but five tonnes of gold out from
mercury for every gigawatt (~2.5 GWth) of electricity generated.

Put simply, the method is similar to one proposed to allow reactors to
manufacture their own tritium fuel. This is done by lining the reactor
vessel with a layer of lithium. When the lithium absorbs a neutron
from the fusion reaction, it splits into an alpha particle and a
tritium atom. If you replace the lithium with the very common
mercury-198 isotope (or better yet, a lithium/mercury alloy), a fast
neutron will turn it into unstable mercury-197. This then undergoes an
electron decay that turns into (ta da!) gold-197. Oh, and there's
tritium as well, if you're using the alloy.
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