Hatrack River Forum: Cold fusion?

This is topic Cold fusion? in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :

It looks like there may be a way to induce protons to get cozy with each other without extremes of temperature. Instead, this device uses a very large electric field to accelerate hydrogen atoms to very high speeds.

quote:
Unlike some previous claims of room-temperature fusion, this one makes intuitive sense: its just another way to get atoms close enough together for the strong force to take over and do the rest. Once the reaction got going, the scientists observed not only the production of helium nuclei, but other tell-tale signs of fusion such as free neutrons and high energy radiation.

This experiment has been repeated successfully and other scientists have reviewed the results: it looks like the real thing this time.

However, the process is not yet energy-efficient, so don't expect your cars to be powered by fusion anytime soon. Still, this is an interesting breakthrough, since the device is small, simple, and doesn't require high temperatures.

[ June 07, 2005, 07:29 PM: Message edited by: Shigosei ]

Posted by Airguitarist (Member # 2647) on :

Don't current nuclear reactors generate electricity with turbines powered by steam preasure from water heated by the nuclear reaction? Could one of the local experts explain to me how without heat you can generate power?

Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :

It's not that the reaction doesn't generate heat. It's called "cold fusion" because normally hydrogen is heated to millions of degrees in order to get the reaction started. However, this process can be carried out closer to temperatures that are normal (for us).

Posted by no. 6 (Member # 7753) on :

Really. "Cold fusion" is not. Perhaps it is a result of the strong force interaction, but it is not fusion.

Where did you get this old data from? Is there something new in this field? I doubt it.

*Produces cold fusion in a hot-dog*

Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :

Oops! Forgot to post the link. The article is new; it came out yesterday. And yes, according to the article they have seen helium nuclei, so I assume that means fusion.

Posted by no. 6 (Member # 7753) on :

Well, maybe. Now that you posted the link.

This bit makes me think that it could be right as well:

quote:
For the time being, don't expect fusion to become a readily available energy option. The current cold fusion apparatus still takes much more energy to start up than you get back out, and it may never end up breaking even. In the mean time, the crystal-fusion device might be used as a compact source of neutrons and X-rays, something that could turn out to be useful making small scanning machines. But it really may not be long until we have the first nuclear fusion-powered devices in common use.

Thanks for the update. [Wink]

Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :

It's a dating services for protons!

Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :

I can't wait to have my Mr. Fusion-powered car.