Silver-Loaded Zeolites Enable Breakthrough Three-Isotope Separation for Fusion Fuel
German researchers have demonstrated silver-doped zeolites that selectively separate protium, deuterium and tritium—the three hydrogen isotopes—via interactions with silver ions in the crystal and staged release by heating. In tests, the output shifted to a 1:41:175 ratio (protium:deuterium:tritium), the first three-way separation of hydrogen isotopes in a solid porous material. This advances closed‑loop fuel recycling for commercial fusion and shows radiation tolerance, though long‑term operation remains under study.