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Cold Fusion
Abstract
Cold fusion was first discovered in 1988 two weeks before easter.
Fusion is the combination of two atoms. The sun fuses hydrogen and helium.
For many years mankind has been experimenting in the field of fusion in
order to harness its energy efficie ntly. Cold fusion is made in a test
tube at room temperature according to Dr. B. Stanley Pons and Dr. Martin
Fleischman, the inventors. As of today, there is no hard evidence of cold
fusion at room temperature. When this was first discovered, Pons and
Fleischman pointed out that a power source the size of a cigarette lighter
could power the entire city and the top 10 feet of Lake Michigan could
power the entire world for the next 15,000 years. There still is hope
thought that they could create cold fusion and room temperature and Pons
and Fleischman are researching it today.
Detailed Description of Chemical Process
The theory to how this fusion works is the Muon Theory. The muon
theory is as follows: Speeding muons knock electrons out of their orbits
around deuterium and tritium atoms. Muons replace the electrons and form a
smaller atom. This "muo-atom" the n captures another nucleus. The muon
orbits more tightly around the two captive nuclei leading them to overcome
their natural repulsion of each other and fuse. This reaction produces a
larger nucleus that almost immediately shatters, releasing energy. It also
frees the muon, which can then repeat the cycle, causing several hundred
more such fusions.
The fact that the muon is 207 times heavier than an electron gives
support for this theory. A nuclei is orbited by an electron making a mini-
solar system. If a muon is shot at the nuclei, it will bump the electrons
into a smaller orbit and replace their orbit with muons. This then closes
tightly around the atom, crushing the atom and nuclei together close enough
to fuse. This creates energy and frees the muon thus starting this
sequence all over again until the muon decays, which is about 2 millionths
of a second, or sticks to another particle that is ejected by fusion. Pons
and Fleischman have been the only one to record this phenomenon. They have
also been rejected by many because of this rare phenomenon that only they
have experienced. Whether or not they did or did not, future
experimentation may provide answe rs to the energy crisis of today.
Detailed description of application of process
The impact of such an efficient source of energy would be enormous to
say the least. Large, unsafe nuclear powerplants such as the one Smud is
operating could be replaced by cold fusion at a small fraction of the cost
it is today. A "Puff"(Pons/Uta h/Fleischman/ Fusion) engine was supposed
to be operating today if they were successful although they have run across
many problems. Had a Puff engine been created, it would have to release a
minimal amount of radiation for widespread use of it. Wh en they first
reported their results, they predicted that Puff automobiles would already
be made public, Puff aircrafts would already be flying overhead, and Puff
heating plants would already be installed in homes. They also predicted a
Puff powerpl ant with more than 100M Watts capacity by 1994 and a space
rocket by 1995.
Impact of application of process on Society
The greatest impact of this Puff era would be the money which would be
saved. People were predicted to flock towards this new invention, had it
been working. It may still work in the future yet there is little hope in
the eyes other scientists. Th e greatest solution something like this
could provide would be its help to the environment. Every day the earth is
losing more and more of it's natural, irrevocable recourses.
Sources
Martin L. Buchanan, "The Consequences of Clean Cold Fusion" Binn Corp
1989
Matt Rhodes, "Re:Consequences of Clean Cold Fusion" MIT Lincold Laboratory
1989
Rob Thurlow, "CBC's The Journal report, APR. 20(was Re:Inside story.), Rob
Thurlow 1989
Andrew Palfreyman, "Re: Cold fusion and Japan", Stanford 1989
Sean M. Bossinger, "More information on Fusion at the University of
Florid", UF CIS Department 1989
Martin L. Buchanan, "radiation, shielding" Martin L. Buchanan 1989
ADDITIONAL FEATURED ESSAYS
Nuclear Weapons
In its attempts to harness the power of the atom, mankind has itself in the possession of weapons with unbelievable, des
Nuclear Weapons Are A Threat To All
Ever since the first nuclear weapon was built in 1945, nuclear war has been a threat. The two major nuclear powers in th
Nuclear Fusion
For a fusion reaction to take place, the nuclei, which are positively charged, must have enough kinetic energy to overco
Nuclear Power: Cons
Since the days of Franklin and his kite flying experiments, electricity has been a topic of interest for many people and
Fusion 2
Fusion reactions are inhibited by the electrical repulsive force that acts between two positively charged nuclei. For fu
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