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However, there has been an interesting exchange (with comment and reply) in Physical Review Letters refuting such claims. (These are subscription journals but should be available in most academic and research institutions).

Finally, read the Seven Warning Signs of Bogus Science by Bob Park (even though rule 1 does not apply here).

However, there has been an interesting exchange (with comment and reply) in Physical Review Letters refuting such claims. (These are subscription journals but should be available in most academic and research institutions).

Finally, read the Seven Warning Signs of Bogus Science by Bob Park (even though rule 1 does not apply here).

However, there has been an interesting exchange (with comment and reply) in Physical Review Letters refuting such claims. (These are subscription journals but should be available in most academic and research institutions).

Finally, read the Seven Warning Signs of Bogus Science by Bob Park (even though rule 1 does not apply here).

Y I learnt in school that refractive index = (1-v^2/c^2)^0.5 .
Which means that if refractive index is negative then speed of light is exceeded in the material , ummm.. no the square root of a number is negative .... ????
A bit of googling brought this out , which says that the rule of thumb I used is incorrect in "metamaterials".Ahh.. releif

"2. PROTEIN CRYSTALLOGRAPHY: NASA KNEW THE SCIENCE WAS VOODOO. In the days following the Columbia tragedy, NASA repeatedly cited protein crystal growth as an example of important microgravity research conducted on the shuttle. NASA knew better. It was 20 years ago that a protein crystal was first grown on Space Lab 1. NASA boasted that the lysozyme crystal was 1,000 times as large as one grown in the same apparatus on Earth. However, the apparatus was not designed to operate in Earth gravity. The space-grown crystal was no larger than lysozyme crystals grown by standard techniques on Earth. ..." (What's New, 21 Feb 2003)

His weekly column is put out by the American Physical Society, and is quite readable.

Use the Parker-Sochacki solution to the Picard iteration. The orbital positions and therefore the gravity field [and thus the derivatives] become a simple matter of additions and multiplications, and everything comes out as a polynomial function of time.

The original method was published in Neural Computing.

The other point is more interesting, but it should be noted that in Galileo's time, most of the establishment had allready realized that the laws they knew were inadequate. This was probably one of Tycho Brahe's most significant contributions, especially the comet of 1578. In 1610, when Galileo first pointed his telescope towards the stars, a leading authority, whose name evade me at the moment (could be Christopher Clavius?), said that Ptolemy's system had proved inadequate, and that astronomers had to look elsewhere for their wisdom.

So, it is rather different, because everyone knew that the old laws of nature had failed, but they didn't know what to use instead, untill Newton.

You know, if today's crackpots had half the spine of Galileo they would probably have been duly noticed too...

As others have pointed out, it is a difference between working in isolation and working alone. "In isolation" means that you take no or very little input from the community, and that's never healthy. Einstein was on his own, but he always took a lot of input and gave a lot of output. Also, he brilliantly solved widely acknowledged outstanding problems. Today's crackpots seldom do that.

There are a few problems with science today, that has mainly to do with evaluation of science (naive bibliometry), with getting "prestigous", stuff like that. There's also a bit more truth in the "Physicist's Bill of Rights" than I like, but nevertheless, the guidelines proposed can work quite well as an operational aid, I think.

I am saddened to hear that we lost contact with Pioneer 10 because we don't understand the forces acting on it. One would think that since we know gravity pretty well, and we know the relivant masses involved, we could predict the motion of the Pioneer satelites. Alas no. Exotic things like dark matter and photon pressure were invoked to explain the extra attraction (back) towards our sun, and failed. I heard a great talk about this while at U.C. Riverside department of Physics and had the chance to ask about photon pressure myself (yes, they take that into account - it is a far, far larger effect than this). The BBC has an old story on this effect, which I am sure many slashdotters have already heard of, here.

By the way, a similar anomoly is seen in Pioneer 11 and another distant satelite (Ulysses perhaps???).

Also, there is a link at nasa.gov, but at this time it seems broken. I include it for completeness here.

It seems John Anderson and friends have written several articles on this. One which you might find interesing has been published in Physical Review D: here.

A "quantum fluctuation" in the vacuum, regardless of how low the energy density in the neighborhood, still must obey Noether's theorem: there is simply not enough time asymmetry to "hide under the rug" (speaking very roughly), the fluctuations you would need to start a new universe (which would be exponentially damped in energy anyway).

Just in case you haven't seen the movie Ocean's Eleven or know what a pinch is by other means: basically, a pinch is an EMP (electro-magnetic pulse) emitter. It's an interesting concept but reality has proven the pinch to be rather difficult.

How hard would it be, given today's technology, to create a handheld RFID-pinch? Personally, I'd love to walk into a building and hit a button that fries every RFID within say, 500 meters.

--K.

I'm very skeptical of these kinds of devices. For example, how many people really want stock quotes on their watches? Is there real value in that? How is a stock ticker on a watch significantly better than a stock ticker on a PDA or cell phone? Also, beyond the cool factor, how important is atomic time to Joe Sixpack? Let's face it, if it isn't significantly better, then only technogeeks will care about it. It'll die a quick death. But wait, there's more. The other factor is this. Even if the product is significantly better in terms of functionality, if the usability sucks then uptake of the product in the market could be minimal. IMHO there are many strikes against these products becoming mainstream products any time soon.

1. More on usability: webword.com (Disclaimer: This is one of my web sites.)

2. Bell Labs Reports on Progress Towards "Dick Tracy" Watch

3. Check Out a Watch Dick Tracy Would Envy

4. IBM stuffs Linux into "Dick Tracy's watch"

5. A User Interface Toolkit for a Small Screen Device

6. Is Timing Ripe for Wrist PDAs?

I know my plasma physics and E&M. I hate to do this as the egaltarian attitudes of the web hate when people pull a credential, but check out my home page and decide for yourself whether or not I am qualified to talk about plasma physics and electromagnetics.

Now for your objection: If you have a charge uniformly distributed over the outside of a spherical region, oppositely charged particles exterior to the sphere will be attracted towards the center of the sphere. However, inside the sphere the field is zero---from Gauss's law (I don't need a review).

Suppose the particle can pass through the sphere of charge (IEC approximates this using a grid electrode). The particle will not be confined to the inside of the sphere. The particle will oscillate radially about the grid (this was what I was talking about with dynamic virtual cathode / anode effects).

You could argue than that the particle is confined. However, you have a charged grid in the confinement region, so you have not achieved a purely electrostatic confining potential.
In IEC, eventually, the particle will interact with the grid---if something doesn't kick it out of the trap first. So it is not confined. Maybe you could argue quasi-confinement.

Furthermore, potential well setup by the presence of the grid is (in the Hirsch Meek patent for instance) on the order of 6KV. It will not confine particles of sufficient energy to fuse readily. So, if you want a lot of fusion, you better have a high density. IEC doesn't.

Suppose you were able to get a MV (there are significant technical challenges to achieving this). How long do you think your inner electrode grid, which is directly exposed to your fusion plasma, will last? One of the show-stoppers for magnetic confinement fusion is that walls (which are not directly exposed to the plasma) won't hold up very long. For IEC, you have even tougher demands on your materials.

Kevin

Robert Park of the American Physical Society is one of the more outspoken physicists against the ISS. His argument is that it is ostensibly for scientific research, but is really a pork-barrel project and offers little benefit to researchers in terms of cost/scientific output. If its purpose were as a stepping stone to further space exploration, it would be a different matter, but as a research facility it is expensive and ineffectual (even once it comes fully on-line).

-BbT

Robert Park of the American Physical Society is one of the more outspoken physicists against the ISS. His argument is that it is ostensibly for scientific research, but is really a pork-barrel project and offers little benefit to researchers in terms of cost/scientific output. If its purpose were as a stepping stone to further space exploration, it would be a different matter, but as a research facility it is expensive and ineffectual (even once it comes fully on-line).

-BbT

Call me old-fashioned, but you can't beat The Onion (or a reprint thereof).

So last month, the American Physical Society, representing some 40,000 physicists, expanded the ethical guidelines for researchers, in their Statements on Profession Conducts document. The new guidelines call for more ethics training in science and urge all research institutions to adopt the same set of misconduct procedures. The guidelines also clarify co-authors' roles and duties, making it clear that when you put your name on a paper, your reputation is on the line.

Biologists faced similar scandals during the Gallo and Imanishi-Kari cases in the 90's. Unlike Robert Gallo and David Baltimore, who survived the scandal virtually unscathed, the physicists involved in today's scandals are actually being held accountable.

The above info was compiled from an article that originally appeared here.

So last month, the American Physical Society, representing some 40,000 physicists, expanded the ethical guidelines for researchers, in their Statements on Profession Conducts document. The new guidelines call for more ethics training in science and urge all research institutions to adopt the same set of misconduct procedures. The guidelines also clarify co-authors' roles and duties, making it clear that when you put your name on a paper, your reputation is on the line.

Biologists faced similar scandals during the Gallo and Imanishi-Kari cases in the 90's. Unlike Robert Gallo and David Baltimore, who survived the scandal virtually unscathed, the physicists involved in today's scandals are actually being held accountable.

The above info was compiled from an article that originally appeared here.

Exactly! The real exciting stuff is the unmanned expeditions, which have (except for the stupid equipment failures) been producing bad-ass results and much better science than the ISS. NASA runs the risk of becoming a publically-funded boondoggle- they should stick to useful science.

One of the only sane minds on this has been Robert Park of the American Physics Society. He's consistently argued very loudly against the ISS, but has also praised missions like the Pathfinder and calls the search for non-human life (e.g. polar Mars, Europa) one of the most important scientific endeavors of our time.

Frankly, I think a Europa probe would be infinitely more useful than the ISS. And I think human expeditions to Mars are pointless right now.

I love how everyone that posts to slashdot is an armchair expert in whatever they're posting about, be it tv demographics, marketing, computer security, whatever.
Uh, first of all, I hate to break it to you (no, I don't) but some of us *are* experts in TV demographics (see TwirlipOTM), marketing (no certain examples this thred, they turn up), computer security (well, that would be about five percent of /., which, btw, includes most everybody writing, implementing, hacking, or documenting the field), whatever.
Ya see, if you check the posts, you'll find fanwing comments from aircraft materials designers, media comments from Wil Wheaton, chip design comments from chip fab experts, and so on.
Kinda reminds me of a party I went to once when somebody got pissed at a comment I made while I was still working on wiring systems for missiles and fighter planes. Some dimwit got snotty and yelled at me, "what are you, a rocket scientist?" and a little cluster of engineers I knew all started laughing and said, "well, actually, yes, he is."
You wanta point that comment at me? Go ahead. My site should give you some of it. Otherwise, bio labs? Let's say that I started as an assistant helper guy at NYU Med Center and last did tech work at (among other places) the genetic engineering labs at Rockefeller University.
Hell, even the "what would they be doing with horses" guy sounds like he probably has some relevant tech background.

But even beyond all that, I don't know about you, but I come here to chat. If you care to tell me that the discussions here are even a tenth as off-base, ill-informed, or done by people without professional standing in the subjects being discussed as the appalling grunts and ego ballooning about football sure to be happening all around America this very day, then you simply aren't paying attention. Sure, we ramble; this is our off time. You want formal overviews? Go to the IEEE or APS.

And yes, I really am pissy today, aren't I?
Rustin

There will be a more scientific article released by the APS soon, assuming the government does not try to classify it.

Hey, that's what I did my PhD thesis work in! :-)

Aluminum is the largest component of the most easily formed
"quasicrystals", and this analysis seems to be yet another indication that the seemingly normal metal face-centered-cubic structure of alumnium is actually not very far removed from some quite strange states of matter. Further evidence is right there on the periodic table - gallium, just below Al, has one of the strangest ground-state structures of any metal, and melts at a balmy 35 degrees Celsius!

For those who have access, I actually wrote a paper on this over 10 years ago... ah the memories...

The issue, of course, boils down to the fact that the logic methodology used in science pretty much precludes anything from being proven, in the sense that one can prove the pythagorean theory. Therefore, if one starts with truth, there is no hope that the relative facts of physical law will change your view. The current classic example is smoking. Reputable scientists say that the preponderance of evidence says that smoking is very dangerous, and at least significantly contributes to an increase in cancer, where the pseudo-scientist says nothing is proven and based on the research no action can be taken. Once again, all science can do is try find a very likely theory to match physical observable to within an acceptable degree of uncertainty.

The situations gets more complicated when science hits the popular press. Mistakes are made in quotes, ideas, statements of theory, and perhaps even in the original logic. Respectable scientists admit the flaws, and investigate to see if the problems are fundamental enough to damage the theory or just miscommunications. Pseudo-scientist, who already know the truth, grab on to these inconsistent data as proof that not only the researcher, but his family, university, sponsors, and anyone else who might come to his or her support is incompetent and should be flogged.

So not to be offtopic, this report has top level problems. A statistical error is not reported. The exact definitions of terms and methodology is not known. Does it make the research invalid? Is it in fact a 'bullshit report.. that make absolutely no sense and assume a static technology level.' With the infomation availablem, it is hard to say. People also site local examples to refute the paper, but the land area of the earth is over 57 million square miles, while the size of Nevada 100 thousand square mile. One could have 100 completely empty areas the size of Nevada and still not invalidate. And remember, those roads you drive on in Nevada, and the desert you walk on to take a leak, as well as much other 'undeveloped' land is affected by human habitation.

Notice how I refute an argument with observables instead of insults and circular arguments? The fact that a lazy worker want a year to be shorter, or a fascist manager wants a year to be longer, would not mean a whit to the observable that it take right about 365 days for the eartg to orbit the sun.

This is exactly why some people are theorizing a fifth form of energy, quintessence.

BTW... Most of the stuff you do is pretty amazing; but at least as of 5-6 years ago, your planetary position predictions were lousy. I'm hoping you guys have, since then, upgraded your method with the Parker-Sochacki solution to the Picard iteration.

Quick Explanation of the method here.

This appears to be the abstract for the announced results. Note the lack of words like "round" in the abstract and article. You may need a subscription to Physical Review Letters to reach it and download the paper.

This appears to be the abstract of the paper of Miller and Frank attempting to explain the phenomena. You will have to accept cookies to get any sort of information out of the APS site.

This seems to be the experimental project page. It doesn't appear to be an informative resource for the uninitiated.

I'd never read a nuclear physics paper before, so I wasn't sure what to expect. It looks like straight pQFT calculation with the Feynman diagrams, etc. would be computationally intractible for these problems, so people are always looking for reasonable approximation schemes. I guess the ones that had been used in the past didn't factor in relativistic effects as much as they should have, and the recent models corrected this.

This appears to be the abstract for the announced results. Note the lack of words like "round" in the abstract and article. You may need a subscription to Physical Review Letters to reach it and download the paper.

This appears to be the abstract of the paper of Miller and Frank attempting to explain the phenomena. You will have to accept cookies to get any sort of information out of the APS site.

This seems to be the experimental project page. It doesn't appear to be an informative resource for the uninitiated.

I'd never read a nuclear physics paper before, so I wasn't sure what to expect. It looks like straight pQFT calculation with the Feynman diagrams, etc. would be computationally intractible for these problems, so people are always looking for reasonable approximation schemes. I guess the ones that had been used in the past didn't factor in relativistic effects as much as they should have, and the recent models corrected this.

Don't forget the Integrity in Physics guidelines too.

This is actually usually called "small" or "benchtop" physics, as opposed to the real "big physics" that goes on at accelerator labs etc. with hundreds of physicists working together. Making this worse is the coincidence with the bogus element-118 discovery at Berkeley, which was also revealed over the last few months. The APS, where I work, has some rules people are supposed to follow: the 1991 Guidelines for Professional Conduct - but investigation and resolution of problems (which happen more often in lower profile cases such as contested authorship of papers) are left to the institutions where the people involved work; it's starting to seem that perhaps more is needed.

In my mind the best solution to the problem would be adding more journals to the SPIN data base (or some similar base)

Don't tell me it costs $500 dollars for top researchers to read a paper and offer criticism.

In the meantime, government action is needed to mandate that all papers eventually be made free to the public; perhaps six months after initial publication, perhaps 1 year.

Anyway, I wish Brown all the best success, but as others have mentioned, it's a somewhat harder problem than it first seems (at least he's asking for $20 million, which is somewhat realistic for handling real peer review for a substantial number of articles - 10's of thousands at least).

What's behind this nebulous "peer review" concept, at least for us, is a complex and historically based system of checks and balances involving communications between authors, editors, and (anonymous and non-anonymous) reviewers; we're essentially a legal/court system for scientific articles. There's a lot of information-related issues in there, and information technology helps a lot (that's the part I'm involved in). But fundamentally, at least the way we do it, there needs to be a paid, responsible human being reading most communications and monitoring the process, and as far as we've been able to work out, you can't get the cost under about $500 or so per article.

Now, just distributing the papers can be done essentially for free (to as many people as would want to read for about $1-5 per article, for hardware, software, disk, network, etc.) which is what the famous physics e-print archive does so well. Of course it doesn't cost publishers any more than that to distribute articles online either - the costs are in the review part (and whatever copyediting they do), not in distribution.

You'll hear about journals now that are essentially free - this is almost always for one of two reasons:

1. The journal is very small, and some institution is picking up all the salary and incidental costs - $500/article works out to just $50,000/year for a 100 article/year journal.
   
2. The journal is heavily skimping on the "peer review" side of things - publishing conference proceedings papers for example with no review beyond the acceptance of the paper at the conference. Nothing wrong with that, but it's not what we normally mean by peer review.
   

Given the $500/article cost, the other question is does science really need this level of peer review, or can it get by with less? Well, we've already seen a couple of instances of scientific fraud that slipped by in physics in the last few months even with the current level of review - is skimping really a good idea? And is the $500 minimal cost or even $1000-$2000 typical cost per article now all that bad, compared to the typical $50,000-$100,000 research grant that generally funded such research?

Yet another proposed solution has been to publish fewer papers in those journals that receive the full peer-review treatment. Unless authors miraculously constrain themselves somehow, the only way that would save us money would be to reject a lot of things without review (because the costs are in the review process itself) - but then you've thrown out the whole "peer" process you're using to determine what's published!

So, maybe Brown has found a way through this morass - but the scientific system has a complex, little studied dynamic in which peer review as it currently stands plays an important role... if we really can't afford it (the old way) any more, we're headed into some uncharted waters...

Anyway, I wish Brown all the best success, but as others have mentioned, it's a somewhat harder problem than it first seems (at least he's asking for $20 million, which is somewhat realistic for handling real peer review for a substantial number of articles - 10's of thousands at least).

What's behind this nebulous "peer review" concept, at least for us, is a complex and historically based system of checks and balances involving communications between authors, editors, and (anonymous and non-anonymous) reviewers; we're essentially a legal/court system for scientific articles. There's a lot of information-related issues in there, and information technology helps a lot (that's the part I'm involved in). But fundamentally, at least the way we do it, there needs to be a paid, responsible human being reading most communications and monitoring the process, and as far as we've been able to work out, you can't get the cost under about $500 or so per article.

Now, just distributing the papers can be done essentially for free (to as many people as would want to read for about $1-5 per article, for hardware, software, disk, network, etc.) which is what the famous physics e-print archive does so well. Of course it doesn't cost publishers any more than that to distribute articles online either - the costs are in the review part (and whatever copyediting they do), not in distribution.

You'll hear about journals now that are essentially free - this is almost always for one of two reasons:

1. The journal is very small, and some institution is picking up all the salary and incidental costs - $500/article works out to just $50,000/year for a 100 article/year journal.
   
2. The journal is heavily skimping on the "peer review" side of things - publishing conference proceedings papers for example with no review beyond the acceptance of the paper at the conference. Nothing wrong with that, but it's not what we normally mean by peer review.
   

Given the $500/article cost, the other question is does science really need this level of peer review, or can it get by with less? Well, we've already seen a couple of instances of scientific fraud that slipped by in physics in the last few months even with the current level of review - is skimping really a good idea? And is the $500 minimal cost or even $1000-$2000 typical cost per article now all that bad, compared to the typical $50,000-$100,000 research grant that generally funded such research?

Yet another proposed solution has been to publish fewer papers in those journals that receive the full peer-review treatment. Unless authors miraculously constrain themselves somehow, the only way that would save us money would be to reject a lot of things without review (because the costs are in the review process itself) - but then you've thrown out the whole "peer" process you're using to determine what's published!

So, maybe Brown has found a way through this morass - but the scientific system has a complex, little studied dynamic in which peer review as it currently stands plays an important role... if we really can't afford it (the old way) any more, we're headed into some uncharted waters...

You're probably thinking mainly of the Hindenburg disaster when talking about something with hydrogen in it exploding. The problem with that is, A) the Hindenburg didn't explode, and B) it is highly unlikely that the fire that did consume the craft was caused by hydrogen being ignited by a spark. I got this from my dad and then later saw a report on it on PBS. Through a quick search on Google, I found the most relevant page I could, here.

The gist of it is that the skin of the Hindenburg was made of fabric and coated with laquers and metal based paints, and the material itself was highly flammable. (The guy on the PBS documentary had a piece of the original fabric and showed how nicely it burned.) That's why the entire surface of the dirigible burned within seconds and it crashed to the ground, and that's also why it burned with a bright orange flame. A hydrogen flame is nearly invisible in daylight; in darkness it's a pale blue. Hydrogen is lighter than air, thus always burns upwards, not in all directions. The long and short of it is that there were many indicators that a few thousand observant engineers and scientists over the decades should have picked up on, that should have told them their assumptions about hydrogen's involvment in that disaster were wrong. But to this day, the Hindenburg "explosion" is used in books and courses to show how "dangerous" hydrogen is. Just goes to show that just because something has been "known" a for a long time, doesn't mean it's correct.

While we were talking about this (dad and I), he also told me about some experiments he'd seen and/or done many years ago with hydrogen. For example, if you have a tank filled with hydrogen and poke a hole in the side, and light the stream of hydrogen that's coming out with a match, guess what happens? No, it doesn't explode. If it's dark, you'll see a blue flame right at the edge of the hole. You'll see it until there isn't any gas left in the bottle. The pressure of the escaping gas is always just enough to keep it from burning back into the bottle. But there's also another reason it doesn't burn back into the bottle and blow up. Say you stick that match into the hole, guess what happens? The hydrogen will put it out. Poof. Not enough oxygen. See, hydrogen is only flammable in the presence of oxygen. And it's only explosive in tightly confined spaces. So inside you're battery's fuel cell, you'd first have to mix it with a certain percentage of oxygen, while it's still sealed, and then somehow introduce a spark, inside the case, aslo while it's still sealed. Good luck.

Anyway, I just wanted to spread some updated information on the Hindenburg, and I've always thought that whole pure-hydrogen-puts-out-a-match thing really interesting.

While real physics has always been about rigorous (and vigorous) lab work, the popular image of physics, and Science as a whole, has strayed from this considerably.

Gees. Not only do you insult theoretical physicists here but every other science that does not involve experimentation such as computer science and mathematics. Who are you to define what "real physics" and "real Science" is?

Witness, for example, the popular celebration of Einstein's thought experiments. The average layman is under the impression that Einstein reached his great intellectual climaxes by just sitting and thinking about things, maybe over a cup of hot chocolate. What people don't see is the hours of experimentation (real experimentation) as he tried to verify and correct the results of his thought experiments.

Einstein did some of his best work while employeed as a patent clerk [1] [2] [3]. As a patent clerk, he most likely did not have access to the laboratory equipment needed to perform experiments involving speeds close to that of light. In fact the first experimental verification of general relativity was done some years after his papers and by someone else.

So why is it like that? Are people just stupid?

Okay, you've called us all stupid. Now here's your chance to back up that claim by showing us proof of these supposed "hours of experimentation (real experimentation)" that Einstein needed to work out relativity.

Since the collapse of the Catholic Church in the times of Galileo Galilei, there has been a vacuum where religious fervor once stood. Science (or this fantastical mockery of Science) has filled that void, uncomfortably.

I don't know what country you live in, but here in the US, the Cathloic Church is a formidable force in people's lives and in public policies. It certainly has not collapsed.

Show the theorists some respect.

GMD

Sounds like this guy has a favorite hammer, and he's now convinced that everything looks like a nail.

Hofstadter is brilliant. It's rare to find someone with deep knowledge in math/science who is also such a good writer. Godel, Escher, Bach gives me shivers every time I pick it up. There was another book of his that was a collection of essays on AI (Perspectives of Mind, I think) that was great reading. The usual Hofstadter ruminations on what makes thought, what makes intelligence. Mind expanding stuff.

This all reminds me a lot of Galatea 2.2 (fiction, Richard Powers, reviews here and here which was (at least partly) about creating emergent intelligence from a neural net crammed full of common sense. It's the kind of book I point people to when they say that science fiction isn't "real" writing.

Anyway, just rambling, but I couldn't pass up an opportunity to talk up Powers.

And don't forget that the best theory ever developed, Quantum ElectroDynamics (QED), which is experimentally verified out to umpteen decimal places (twelve, really), is the one that also describes the hydrogen atom bound states.

The basic idea is that energy and entropy are related to the fundamental limits of computation, so if you know the energy and entropy density of the universe, and the size of the observable bit, you can figure out the relevant number of bits and computations...

The basic idea is that energy and entropy are related to the fundamental limits of computation, so if you know the energy and entropy density of the universe, and the size of the observable bit, you can figure out the relevant number of bits and computations...

"Cosmic Separation of Phases".

Herrin co-authored this Physics Review paper from 1996 about "nuclearites". aps.org

Interesting, but as a particle physicist, I think that saying that "strangelets" are the most likely explaination for what are basically small earthquakes detected in coincidence is really a stretch. This just isn't very good evidence for something so far fetched.

I'm wondering if the space.com photo of "the mice" galaxies is the right picture.

Looks a lot like a cut from a film I watched in health class in the 6th grade.

Funny, yes, but this comment also points out an interesting truth about the physical world. There are many structures out there that are remarkably similar to structures on vastly different scales. Galaxies can look a lot like bacterial infections. The fractal nature of the universe is a fascinating subject. A good overview can be found in this report on a talk by Dr. Richard Voss.

I know it isn't kosher to reply to your own reply, but I thought about the original posting. Basic research can lead to good things, but applied research is not good in and of itself. For example, check out the work of Jean-Marc Vanden-Broeck and his pursuit of the drip free teapot. He has been richly rewarded.

Park's book should be read together with another one: Trust Us, We're Experts! (Amazon) by John Stauber and Sheldon Rampton. While there is a lot of "junk science" out there, there is at least as much corporate sponsorship behind efforts to discredit real scientific work as such. See also this story about PR efforts to discredit global warming, and my related K5 comment.

Park has a weekly 'What's new' email, where he briefly describes the weeks events, you can read it on the web, or subscribe for the email list.

I think the Economist article you were talking about is covered and expanded upon here.

The primary source is http://www.aps.org/meet/MAR02/baps/abs/S7810.html. As you can see from the text below, this is not a joke.

They had one more presentation than last year At least they're now allowed to call it "cold fusion" instead of "Palladium-Deuteron" and "Palladium Electrochemistry" as they had to before 2001.

Session W21 - Cold Fusion.
FOCUS session, Friday morning, March 22
139, Indiana Convention Center

[W21.001] Quantum Delocalized Interfacial Deuterium as Cold Fusion Heat Source, by Talbot Chubb (Research Systems, Inc., 5023 N. 38th St., Arlington, VA 22207)

Work is underway to test: 1) whether radiationless deuteron cold fusion occurs in quantum delocalized deuterium band-state matter on the interface between a metal surface and a polarizable electrolyte, and 2) whether quantum delocalized deuterium can be produced by overpotential electrolysis in a reactant-starved electrolytic cell. Puska and Nieminen (M. J. Puska and R. M. Nieminen, Surf. Sci. 157, 413 (1985).) showed that D on Ni(111) exists in Bloch function form when in an excited state. Modeling of exchange-symmetrized Bloch-function deuterium in D+ ion band states in a periodic lattice indicates(T. A. and S. R. Chubb,Fus.Tech.20, 93 (1991) and later papers.) that many-body effects can mitigate the normal Coulomb barrier. Liaw et al.(B. Y.Liaw et al, J. Electroanal. Chem. 318, 161, (1991).)showed that nuclear heat release occurred during D-starved electrolysis at a 1.7-Volt overpotential in the Al/KCl,LiCl,LiD/Pd system. Clarke et al. (W. B. Clarke et al, Fus.Sci. Tech. 40, 152 (2001).) showed nuclear reactions had occurred in an Arata-style cathode, containing wet Pd-black, which had been subject to Pt/D_2O,LiOD/Pd electrolysis. H_2O-starved behavior is shown in Pt/KOH,NaOH/Ag electrolysis.

[W21.002] Progress on the SRI/ENEA Collaboration to Investigate Gaseous D_2 / Pd Nuclear Effects, by Michael C.H. McKubre, Francis L. Tanzella (SRI International, Menlo Park, CA), Paolo Tripodi, Vittorio Violante (ENEA, 00044 Frascati, Rome, Italy)

A collaborative effort has been established formally between SRI and ENEA researchers to test and demonstrate the cross-laboratory replicability of gas phase Pd/D_2 excess heat, helium and tritium observations. Similar facilities are being established in both countries to allow on-line determination of heat effects correlated with helium-4, and ultimately helium-3 measurements from so called "Case" experiments involving the application of modest temperatures and D_2 gas pressures to a packed bed of palladium on carbon catalyst and other finely divided palladium materials. The results of experiments performed under similar protocols will be examined and compared. A second facet of this collaboration is the joint attempt to replicate the production of tritium in an "Arata-Zhang" hollow, double-structured cathode. Two massive hollow palladium electrodes were manufactured at ENEA and sealed to contain palladium black within the enclosed void. These electrodes presently are being operated at SRI as electrolytic cathodes in LiOD electrolyte. On experiment termination these will be sectioned and the contents examined for helium-4, helium-3 and evidence of tritium.

[W21.003] The Impact of Heavy Water (D_2O) Doping, by Mitchell Swartz (JET Energy Technology, Inc., Welleslley,MA)

Heavy water (D_2O) yields significant increases in the excess heat observed for nickel light water systems for all input electrical power levels examined (250 to 1500 mW). Gas-free spiral-wound, cold-worked nickel cathodes [volume 0.47 cm^3, area 6.39 cm^2] with an anodic platinum plate en face were examined near the peak of their optimal operating point (OOP) manifold. The peak power gain for light water [1.25^+/-.15] increased with the addition of 3.7% D_2O to 1.7 ^+/-0.2. The rate of peak excess energy generated by the nickel light water system increased from 0.25 ^+/-.05 Joules per second with H_2O, to 0.36 ^+/-0.1 with 3.7D_2O. The volume specific rate of excess energy accumulation as a function of the deuteron population is 6.0 [D/H] + 0.45 Joules/sec per cubic centimeters nickel. The surface specific rate of excess energy accumulation is 0.44 [D/H] + 0.03 Joules/sec per cubic centimeters nickel area. The form of the OOP-manifold remains similar to that for light water. We report that "overdrive" loading of deuterons into these materials, especially at > 4% D _2 O, and at >700 mW, produce irreversible changes in the nickel, characterized both by gross loss of performance and synchronous irreversible lowering of the nickel electrode's specific electrical resistivity when examined by the four-probe technique [ \approx 8-9.6% ].

[W21.004] The Elevation of Boiling Points in H_2O and D_2O Electrolytes, by M.H. Miles, H.D. Arman, J.D. Carrick, C.K. Gren, K.A. Haggerty, H.Y. Kim, A.G. Ky, J.E. Markham, C.F. Meeks, D.E. Noga (Middle Tennessee State University, Department of Chemistry, Murfreesboro, TN 37132, USA)

The excess enthalpy effect in cold fusion experiments for Pd/D_2O systems is subject to positive feedback, i.e., increasing the cell temperatureincreases the excess enthalpy . Therefore, the largest excess enthalpy effects are often observed near or at the boiling point corresponding to that of the electrolyte solution in the cell(M.H. Miles, M. Fleischmann and M.A. Imam, "Calorimetric Analysis of a Heavy Water Electrolysis Experiment Using a Pd-B Alloy Cathode", Naval Research Lab Mem. Rep.,#6320-01-8526, pp. 27-30 (2001).). However, the actual boiling point increases as the D_2O content of the cell decreases. The purpose of this project will be to compare experimental values of the change in temperature \DeltaT obtained using H_2O and D_2O solutions with theoretical values of \DeltaT calculated by assuming ideal solutions. The emphasis will be on higher concentrations as well as on saturated solutions where \DeltaT values may be quite large. Preliminary results for LiOH in H_2O show reasonable agreement with ideal solution \DeltaT values up to LiOH concentrations of 1.0 molal (m).

[W21.005] In-situ Long-range Alpha Particles and X-ray Detection for Thin-film Pd Cathodes During Electrolysis in Li_2SO_4/H_2O, by A.G. Lipson (Univ. of Illinois, Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, Urbana, IL 61801, USA), A.S. Roussetski (P.N. Lebedev Physics Institute Russian Academy of Sciences, 51 Leninsky Prospect, Moscow 117924 Russia), C.H. Castano, Kim S-O., G.H. Miley (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, Urbana, IL 61801, USA)

Measurements of long-range alpha and soft X-ray emissions have been performed using cyclotron calibrated CR-39 plastic track and LiF/Al_2O_3:C-Thermo-Luminescent (TLD) detectors. Application of CR-39 and TLD detectors to the surface of the thin Pd film-cathodes sputtered on the insulator substrate (glass, Al_2O_3, PMMA) allows detection of both alpha and soft X-ray emissions simultaneously with excess heat measurements during electrolysis using 1 Molar Li_2SO_4/H_20 electrolyte. The alpha particles in the range of 8.0 < E< 30.0 MeV (which produced alpha tracks with diameters d, in the range, 7.6> d> 6.0 \mum) were detected upon the electrolysis. Those alpha-tracks are quite unique, never having been observed during CR-39 exposure with trans-uranium alpha -sources (Am^241, Pu^239). The TLD measurement shows generation of the low intensity 5.0-10.0 keV X-ray quanta (\Phi_x < 5.0 s ^-1*cm^-2) accompanying the alpha emission.

[W21.006] Thermal Measurement during Electrolysis of Pd-Ni Thin-film -Cathodes in Li2SO4/H2O Solution, by C.H. Castano, A.G. Lipson, Kim S.-O., G.H. Miley (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, Urbana, IL 61801, USA)

Using LENR - open type calorimeters, measurements of excess heat production were carried out during electrolysis in Li_2SO_4/H_2O solution with a Pt-anode and Pd-Ni thin film cathodes (2000-8000 thick) sputtered on the different dielectric substrates. In order to accurately evaluate actual performance during electrolysis runs in the open-type calorimeter used, considering effects of heat convection, bubbling and possible H_2+O_2 recombination, smooth Pt sheets were used as cathodes. Pt provides a reference since it does not produce excess heat in the light water electrolyte. To increase the accuracy of measurements the water dissociation potential was determined for each cathode taking into account its individual over-voltage value. It is found that this design for the Pd-Ni cathodes resulted in the excess heat production of \sim 20-25 % of input power, equivalent to \sim300 mW. In cases of the Pd/Ni- film fracture (or detachment from substrate) no excess heat was detected, providing an added reference point. These experiments plus use of optimized films will be presented.

[W21.007] Preparation of Pd-Ni Thin-film Electrodes using Magnetron Sputtering, by S.-O. Kim, C.H. Castano, A.G. Lipson, N. Luo, G.H. Miley (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, Urbana, IL 61801, USA)

This study fabricated Pd-Ni thin film on Macor and Alumina substrate using magnetron sputtering in order to develop optimized cathodes for electrolysis experiments. The surface morphology of palladium-Nickel thin films on the different substrates showed completely distinct structures. Figures of merit for the cathodes include maximum excess heat production and lifetime. The quality of the film has been studied as a function of surface preparation, deposition rate, adhesion, hydrogen transport properties, and operational lifetime. This involves extensive analysis prior to and after annealing and after electrolytic runs.

[W21.008] Sub-surface Separation of Pd Isotopes in Cold-worked Palladium Foils as a Result of Deuterium Loading, by E.I. Saunin, A.G. Lipson (Institute of Physical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 31 Leninsky Prospect, Moscow 117915, Russia), G.H. Miley (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, Urbana, IL 61801, USA), V.I. Savenko (Institute of Physical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 31 Leninsky Prospect, Moscow 117915, Russia)

Symmetric separation of Pd isotope pairs of Pd^108-Pd^105 and Pd^110-Pd^104 taking place in the sub-surface layer down to 500 depth in the cold worked Pd foil loaded with deuterium has observed by a high-resolution SIMS technique. It is established that the Pd isotope separation is solely defined by a strong plastic deformation (mechanical strain), induced by deuterium loading in Pd-matrix. Possible mechanisms for the sub-surface Pd isotope separation include (a) Pd atom self-diffusion through Pd-vacancy/Pd-lattice interfaces and (b) Pd atom "centrifugation" within the dislocation sources/loops.

[W21.009] Resistance Measurement of Sputtered Pd Thin-Films During Electrolysis N. Luo, C.H. Castano, Kim S-O., A.G. Lipson, T.H. Woo, G.H. Miley (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, Urbana, IL 61801, USA)

We report the real-time resistance measurement of Pd thin films during electrolysis. The result confirms the typical resistance-loading curve obtained in the bulk Pd/H(D) system(M.C.H. McKubre et al., Proc. ICCF3, 5 (1993).)^,(G. Selvaggi, Master Degree Thesis, University of Illinois, (2001).). The time dependent resistance, however, indicates a much faster hydrogen diffusion rate along the film axis than that observed in bulk systems. One possible reason is likely the fast diffusion through grain boundaries that are abundant in sputtered thin metal films. This condition is considered favorable for the loading-flow rate desired to achieve proton reactions.

[W21.010] Thermal and Pressure Gradients in the Polarized Pd/D System, by J. Dea, P.A. Mosier-Boss, S. Szpak (SPAWAR Systems Center San Diego, San Diego, CA 92152)

It is known that negatively polarized Pd/D electrodes, prepared by the co-deposition technique, and immersed in heavy water, generate excess enthalpy at well defined spots randomly distributed in time and space. A natural consequence of localized heat sources is the development of associated pressure gradients. T he easiest way to display such gradients is to co-deposit the Pd/D system onto a pressure sensitive substrate. Indeed, in the course of the co-deposition, we have observed pressure spikes shortly after initiation of current flow. Two points of interest are discussed: First, the frequency of these spikes increases with time and with cell current; and second, in a fully charged system, they persist for hours upon termination of the cell current. The presence of pressure spikes during Pd/D co-deposition is consistent with excess enthalpy generation, which has been reported by us earlier. Furthermore, the occurrence of pressure gradients upon termination of current flow is expected in view of the heat-after-death effect, discussed by Fleischmann. A connection between excess heat generation, the presence of pressure gradients and the initiation of the Fleischmann-Pons effect is considered.

[W21.011] Finding the Missing \gamma in D+D\rightarrow ^4He Cold Fusion Excess Heat, by Scott Chubb (Research Systems, Inc., Burke, VA 22015)

The source of Cold Fusion (CF) Excess Heat is a novel form of D+D\rightarrow ^4He reaction in which no high energy \gamma rays are emitted (http://www.aps.org/meet/MAR01/baps/abs/S7640003.h tml) . An important source of confusion concerning this point is the apparent lack of consensus about known effects associated even with the conventional D+D\rightarrow^4He+\gamma reaction. In fact, although little information about D+D\rightarrow ^4He+\gamma appears in the conventional fusion literature, the photo-dissociation reaction ^4He+\gamma\rightarrowD+D not only has been widely studied but is known to occur through a quadrupolar (E2) transition in which the two particle wave function associated with the D-nuclei is required to preserve Bose symmetry, in the far field regions, where the Electromagnetic Interaction EMI is dominant. Also in this reaction coupling occurs between strong and EMI's that invalidates the separability requirements that are present in the remaining D+D fusion reactions. These facts lend credibility to the notion that coherent many-body effects, involving D-exchange can alter the reaction in such a way that \gamma ray emission is not required.

[W21.012] Evidence for D+D \rightarrow ^4He Without High Energy Paricles, via Cavitation, by Roger Stringham (First Gate, 84 Big Tree Rd, Woodside, CA 94062)

The collapse of a transient cavitation bubble in deuterium oxide produces a high density plasma jet containing 1010 deuterons. The jet experiences an inertial compression via the pinch effect to reach high densities in the order of 1025 gm/cc before implanting into a foil target. During the initial period of implantation of a few picoseconds, the high density deuterons in the target lattice experience reduced coulomb repulsion due to the high density charge screening. In this environment it is possible some DD fusion events occur as evidenced by 75 to 1000 nanometer diameter vents in the target lattice. Photos of the metal target foils show a unique population distribution of vents and analysis of the reactor gases show evidence of helium four production. Making some basic assumptions the smallest diameter and highest population vents are produced by events in the order of 20 Mev. When monitored there was no long range radiation detected.

[W21.013] Progress Toward a Sono-Fusion Demonstration Device, by Kenneth Rauen, Eugene Mallove (New Energy Research laboratory, PO Box 2816, Concord, NH 03302-2816)

New Energy Research Laboratory (NERL) has been developing a commercial demonstration device, based on the pioneering work of Roger Stringham (First Gate Energies). Stringham has shown how to produce excess heat from ultrasonic, cavitating bubbles, typically using D_2O, in contact with various metals. NERL has improved the power and heat measurements, by employing Seebeck envelope calorimetry. Nerl has also improved the design of these sono-cavitation reactors, and may make them available in 2002 to the public, in the form of research kits, which would be suitable for corporations and universities, as well as individual engineers and scientists who would like to obtain hands-on, concrete proof of phenomena connected with cold fusion particularly its primary signature: nuclear scale excess energy. Potentially, such kits may be useful for investigating anomalous by-products, such as helium-4. But the primary goal of the kit is to demonstrate significant excess energy beyond electro-acoustic input power. Prototype reactors here at NERL have already produced about 1.5 watts of continuous excess power for many hours.

[W21.014] Extracting Compact dd State Energies from the Kasagi Experiment, by Peter Hagelstein (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Research Laboratory of Electronics, Cambridge, MA 02139)

Kasagi has reported on the observation of 17 MeV protons and 6 MeV alpha particles from 100 KeV deuterons incident on metal deuteride targets. As the fast proton and alpha signals have a large spread in energy, Kasagi has conjectured that these products may be due to a three-body ddd-fusion reaction process. We have previously described a model in which coupling between nuclei and the lattice leads to the development of compact dd-states as a consequence of site-other-site interactions. The model indicates that the compact dd-states can have a spread of energies as a consequence of the different nuclei/phonon coupling strength associated with different sites. The impact of a spread in dd-state energies on the proton and alpha energy distributions is discussed.

The primary source is http://www.aps.org/meet/MAR02/baps/abs/S7810.html. As you can see from the text below, this is not a joke.

They had one more presentation than last year At least they're now allowed to call it "cold fusion" instead of "Palladium-Deuteron" and "Palladium Electrochemistry" as they had to before 2001.

Session W21 - Cold Fusion.
FOCUS session, Friday morning, March 22
139, Indiana Convention Center

[W21.001] Quantum Delocalized Interfacial Deuterium as Cold Fusion Heat Source, by Talbot Chubb (Research Systems, Inc., 5023 N. 38th St., Arlington, VA 22207)

Work is underway to test: 1) whether radiationless deuteron cold fusion occurs in quantum delocalized deuterium band-state matter on the interface between a metal surface and a polarizable electrolyte, and 2) whether quantum delocalized deuterium can be produced by overpotential electrolysis in a reactant-starved electrolytic cell. Puska and Nieminen (M. J. Puska and R. M. Nieminen, Surf. Sci. 157, 413 (1985).) showed that D on Ni(111) exists in Bloch function form when in an excited state. Modeling of exchange-symmetrized Bloch-function deuterium in D+ ion band states in a periodic lattice indicates(T. A. and S. R. Chubb,Fus.Tech.20, 93 (1991) and later papers.) that many-body effects can mitigate the normal Coulomb barrier. Liaw et al.(B. Y.Liaw et al, J. Electroanal. Chem. 318, 161, (1991).)showed that nuclear heat release occurred during D-starved electrolysis at a 1.7-Volt overpotential in the Al/KCl,LiCl,LiD/Pd system. Clarke et al. (W. B. Clarke et al, Fus.Sci. Tech. 40, 152 (2001).) showed nuclear reactions had occurred in an Arata-style cathode, containing wet Pd-black, which had been subject to Pt/D_2O,LiOD/Pd electrolysis. H_2O-starved behavior is shown in Pt/KOH,NaOH/Ag electrolysis.

[W21.002] Progress on the SRI/ENEA Collaboration to Investigate Gaseous D_2 / Pd Nuclear Effects, by Michael C.H. McKubre, Francis L. Tanzella (SRI International, Menlo Park, CA), Paolo Tripodi, Vittorio Violante (ENEA, 00044 Frascati, Rome, Italy)

A collaborative effort has been established formally between SRI and ENEA researchers to test and demonstrate the cross-laboratory replicability of gas phase Pd/D_2 excess heat, helium and tritium observations. Similar facilities are being established in both countries to allow on-line determination of heat effects correlated with helium-4, and ultimately helium-3 measurements from so called "Case" experiments involving the application of modest temperatures and D_2 gas pressures to a packed bed of palladium on carbon catalyst and other finely divided palladium materials. The results of experiments performed under similar protocols will be examined and compared. A second facet of this collaboration is the joint attempt to replicate the production of tritium in an "Arata-Zhang" hollow, double-structured cathode. Two massive hollow palladium electrodes were manufactured at ENEA and sealed to contain palladium black within the enclosed void. These electrodes presently are being operated at SRI as electrolytic cathodes in LiOD electrolyte. On experiment termination these will be sectioned and the contents examined for helium-4, helium-3 and evidence of tritium.

[W21.003] The Impact of Heavy Water (D_2O) Doping, by Mitchell Swartz (JET Energy Technology, Inc., Welleslley,MA)

Heavy water (D_2O) yields significant increases in the excess heat observed for nickel light water systems for all input electrical power levels examined (250 to 1500 mW). Gas-free spiral-wound, cold-worked nickel cathodes [volume 0.47 cm^3, area 6.39 cm^2] with an anodic platinum plate en face were examined near the peak of their optimal operating point (OOP) manifold. The peak power gain for light water [1.25^+/-.15] increased with the addition of 3.7% D_2O to 1.7 ^+/-0.2. The rate of peak excess energy generated by the nickel light water system increased from 0.25 ^+/-.05 Joules per second with H_2O, to 0.36 ^+/-0.1 with 3.7D_2O. The volume specific rate of excess energy accumulation as a function of the deuteron population is 6.0 [D/H] + 0.45 Joules/sec per cubic centimeters nickel. The surface specific rate of excess energy accumulation is 0.44 [D/H] + 0.03 Joules/sec per cubic centimeters nickel area. The form of the OOP-manifold remains similar to that for light water. We report that "overdrive" loading of deuterons into these materials, especially at > 4% D _2 O, and at >700 mW, produce irreversible changes in the nickel, characterized both by gross loss of performance and synchronous irreversible lowering of the nickel electrode's specific electrical resistivity when examined by the four-probe technique [ \approx 8-9.6% ].

[W21.004] The Elevation of Boiling Points in H_2O and D_2O Electrolytes, by M.H. Miles, H.D. Arman, J.D. Carrick, C.K. Gren, K.A. Haggerty, H.Y. Kim, A.G. Ky, J.E. Markham, C.F. Meeks, D.E. Noga (Middle Tennessee State University, Department of Chemistry, Murfreesboro, TN 37132, USA)

The excess enthalpy effect in cold fusion experiments for Pd/D_2O systems is subject to positive feedback, i.e., increasing the cell temperatureincreases the excess enthalpy . Therefore, the largest excess enthalpy effects are often observed near or at the boiling point corresponding to that of the electrolyte solution in the cell(M.H. Miles, M. Fleischmann and M.A. Imam, "Calorimetric Analysis of a Heavy Water Electrolysis Experiment Using a Pd-B Alloy Cathode", Naval Research Lab Mem. Rep.,#6320-01-8526, pp. 27-30 (2001).). However, the actual boiling point increases as the D_2O content of the cell decreases. The purpose of this project will be to compare experimental values of the change in temperature \DeltaT obtained using H_2O and D_2O solutions with theoretical values of \DeltaT calculated by assuming ideal solutions. The emphasis will be on higher concentrations as well as on saturated solutions where \DeltaT values may be quite large. Preliminary results for LiOH in H_2O show reasonable agreement with ideal solution \DeltaT values up to LiOH concentrations of 1.0 molal (m).

[W21.005] In-situ Long-range Alpha Particles and X-ray Detection for Thin-film Pd Cathodes During Electrolysis in Li_2SO_4/H_2O, by A.G. Lipson (Univ. of Illinois, Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, Urbana, IL 61801, USA), A.S. Roussetski (P.N. Lebedev Physics Institute Russian Academy of Sciences, 51 Leninsky Prospect, Moscow 117924 Russia), C.H. Castano, Kim S-O., G.H. Miley (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, Urbana, IL 61801, USA)

Measurements of long-range alpha and soft X-ray emissions have been performed using cyclotron calibrated CR-39 plastic track and LiF/Al_2O_3:C-Thermo-Luminescent (TLD) detectors. Application of CR-39 and TLD detectors to the surface of the thin Pd film-cathodes sputtered on the insulator substrate (glass, Al_2O_3, PMMA) allows detection of both alpha and soft X-ray emissions simultaneously with excess heat measurements during electrolysis using 1 Molar Li_2SO_4/H_20 electrolyte. The alpha particles in the range of 8.0 < E< 30.0 MeV (which produced alpha tracks with diameters d, in the range, 7.6> d> 6.0 \mum) were detected upon the electrolysis. Those alpha-tracks are quite unique, never having been observed during CR-39 exposure with trans-uranium alpha -sources (Am^241, Pu^239). The TLD measurement shows generation of the low intensity 5.0-10.0 keV X-ray quanta (\Phi_x < 5.0 s ^-1*cm^-2) accompanying the alpha emission.

[W21.006] Thermal Measurement during Electrolysis of Pd-Ni Thin-film -Cathodes in Li2SO4/H2O Solution, by C.H. Castano, A.G. Lipson, Kim S.-O., G.H. Miley (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, Urbana, IL 61801, USA)

Using LENR - open type calorimeters, measurements of excess heat production were carried out during electrolysis in Li_2SO_4/H_2O solution with a Pt-anode and Pd-Ni thin film cathodes (2000-8000 thick) sputtered on the different dielectric substrates. In order to accurately evaluate actual performance during electrolysis runs in the open-type calorimeter used, considering effects of heat convection, bubbling and possible H_2+O_2 recombination, smooth Pt sheets were used as cathodes. Pt provides a reference since it does not produce excess heat in the light water electrolyte. To increase the accuracy of measurements the water dissociation potential was determined for each cathode taking into account its individual over-voltage value. It is found that this design for the Pd-Ni cathodes resulted in the excess heat production of \sim 20-25 % of input power, equivalent to \sim300 mW. In cases of the Pd/Ni- film fracture (or detachment from substrate) no excess heat was detected, providing an added reference point. These experiments plus use of optimized films will be presented.

[W21.007] Preparation of Pd-Ni Thin-film Electrodes using Magnetron Sputtering, by S.-O. Kim, C.H. Castano, A.G. Lipson, N. Luo, G.H. Miley (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, Urbana, IL 61801, USA)

This study fabricated Pd-Ni thin film on Macor and Alumina substrate using magnetron sputtering in order to develop optimized cathodes for electrolysis experiments. The surface morphology of palladium-Nickel thin films on the different substrates showed completely distinct structures. Figures of merit for the cathodes include maximum excess heat production and lifetime. The quality of the film has been studied as a function of surface preparation, deposition rate, adhesion, hydrogen transport properties, and operational lifetime. This involves extensive analysis prior to and after annealing and after electrolytic runs.

[W21.008] Sub-surface Separation of Pd Isotopes in Cold-worked Palladium Foils as a Result of Deuterium Loading, by E.I. Saunin, A.G. Lipson (Institute of Physical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 31 Leninsky Prospect, Moscow 117915, Russia), G.H. Miley (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, Urbana, IL 61801, USA), V.I. Savenko (Institute of Physical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 31 Leninsky Prospect, Moscow 117915, Russia)

Symmetric separation of Pd isotope pairs of Pd^108-Pd^105 and Pd^110-Pd^104 taking place in the sub-surface layer down to 500 depth in the cold worked Pd foil loaded with deuterium has observed by a high-resolution SIMS technique. It is established that the Pd isotope separation is solely defined by a strong plastic deformation (mechanical strain), induced by deuterium loading in Pd-matrix. Possible mechanisms for the sub-surface Pd isotope separation include (a) Pd atom self-diffusion through Pd-vacancy/Pd-lattice interfaces and (b) Pd atom "centrifugation" within the dislocation sources/loops.

[W21.009] Resistance Measurement of Sputtered Pd Thin-Films During Electrolysis N. Luo, C.H. Castano, Kim S-O., A.G. Lipson, T.H. Woo, G.H. Miley (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, Urbana, IL 61801, USA)

We report the real-time resistance measurement of Pd thin films during electrolysis. The result confirms the typical resistance-loading curve obtained in the bulk Pd/H(D) system(M.C.H. McKubre et al., Proc. ICCF3, 5 (1993).)^,(G. Selvaggi, Master Degree Thesis, University of Illinois, (2001).). The time dependent resistance, however, indicates a much faster hydrogen diffusion rate along the film axis than that observed in bulk systems. One possible reason is likely the fast diffusion through grain boundaries that are abundant in sputtered thin metal films. This condition is considered favorable for the loading-flow rate desired to achieve proton reactions.

[W21.010] Thermal and Pressure Gradients in the Polarized Pd/D System, by J. Dea, P.A. Mosier-Boss, S. Szpak (SPAWAR Systems Center San Diego, San Diego, CA 92152)

It is known that negatively polarized Pd/D electrodes, prepared by the co-deposition technique, and immersed in heavy water, generate excess enthalpy at well defined spots randomly distributed in time and space. A natural consequence of localized heat sources is the development of associated pressure gradients. T he easiest way to display such gradients is to co-deposit the Pd/D system onto a pressure sensitive substrate. Indeed, in the course of the co-deposition, we have observed pressure spikes shortly after initiation of current flow. Two points of interest are discussed: First, the frequency of these spikes increases with time and with cell current; and second, in a fully charged system, they persist for hours upon termination of the cell current. The presence of pressure spikes during Pd/D co-deposition is consistent with excess enthalpy generation, which has been reported by us earlier. Furthermore, the occurrence of pressure gradients upon termination of current flow is expected in view of the heat-after-death effect, discussed by Fleischmann. A connection between excess heat generation, the presence of pressure gradients and the initiation of the Fleischmann-Pons effect is considered.

[W21.011] Finding the Missing \gamma in D+D\rightarrow ^4He Cold Fusion Excess Heat, by Scott Chubb (Research Systems, Inc., Burke, VA 22015)

The source of Cold Fusion (CF) Excess Heat is a novel form of D+D\rightarrow ^4He reaction in which no high energy \gamma rays are emitted (http://www.aps.org/meet/MAR01/baps/abs/S7640003.h tml) . An important source of confusion concerning this point is the apparent lack of consensus about known effects associated even with the conventional D+D\rightarrow^4He+\gamma reaction. In fact, although little information about D+D\rightarrow ^4He+\gamma appears in the conventional fusion literature, the photo-dissociation reaction ^4He+\gamma\rightarrowD+D not only has been widely studied but is known to occur through a quadrupolar (E2) transition in which the two particle wave function associated with the D-nuclei is required to preserve Bose symmetry, in the far field regions, where the Electromagnetic Interaction EMI is dominant. Also in this reaction coupling occurs between strong and EMI's that invalidates the separability requirements that are present in the remaining D+D fusion reactions. These facts lend credibility to the notion that coherent many-body effects, involving D-exchange can alter the reaction in such a way that \gamma ray emission is not required.

[W21.012] Evidence for D+D \rightarrow ^4He Without High Energy Paricles, via Cavitation, by Roger Stringham (First Gate, 84 Big Tree Rd, Woodside, CA 94062)

The collapse of a transient cavitation bubble in deuterium oxide produces a high density plasma jet containing 1010 deuterons. The jet experiences an inertial compression via the pinch effect to reach high densities in the order of 1025 gm/cc before implanting into a foil target. During the initial period of implantation of a few picoseconds, the high density deuterons in the target lattice experience reduced coulomb repulsion due to the high density charge screening. In this environment it is possible some DD fusion events occur as evidenced by 75 to 1000 nanometer diameter vents in the target lattice. Photos of the metal target foils show a unique population distribution of vents and analysis of the reactor gases show evidence of helium four production. Making some basic assumptions the smallest diameter and highest population vents are produced by events in the order of 20 Mev. When monitored there was no long range radiation detected.

[W21.013] Progress Toward a Sono-Fusion Demonstration Device, by Kenneth Rauen, Eugene Mallove (New Energy Research laboratory, PO Box 2816, Concord, NH 03302-2816)

New Energy Research Laboratory (NERL) has been developing a commercial demonstration device, based on the pioneering work of Roger Stringham (First Gate Energies). Stringham has shown how to produce excess heat from ultrasonic, cavitating bubbles, typically using D_2O, in contact with various metals. NERL has improved the power and heat measurements, by employing Seebeck envelope calorimetry. Nerl has also improved the design of these sono-cavitation reactors, and may make them available in 2002 to the public, in the form of research kits, which would be suitable for corporations and universities, as well as individual engineers and scientists who would like to obtain hands-on, concrete proof of phenomena connected with cold fusion particularly its primary signature: nuclear scale excess energy. Potentially, such kits may be useful for investigating anomalous by-products, such as helium-4. But the primary goal of the kit is to demonstrate significant excess energy beyond electro-acoustic input power. Prototype reactors here at NERL have already produced about 1.5 watts of continuous excess power for many hours.

[W21.014] Extracting Compact dd State Energies from the Kasagi Experiment, by Peter Hagelstein (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Research Laboratory of Electronics, Cambridge, MA 02139)

Kasagi has reported on the observation of 17 MeV protons and 6 MeV alpha particles from 100 KeV deuterons incident on metal deuteride targets. As the fast proton and alpha signals have a large spread in energy, Kasagi has conjectured that these products may be due to a three-body ddd-fusion reaction process. We have previously described a model in which coupling between nuclei and the lattice leads to the development of compact dd-states as a consequence of site-other-site interactions. The model indicates that the compact dd-states can have a spread of energies as a consequence of the different nuclei/phonon coupling strength associated with different sites. The impact of a spread in dd-state energies on the proton and alpha energy distributions is discussed.

The primary source is http://www.aps.org/meet/MAR02/baps/abs/S7810.html. As you can see from the text below, this is not a joke.

They had one more presentation than last year At least they're now allowed to call it "cold fusion" instead of "Palladium-Deuteron" and "Palladium Electrochemistry" as they had to before 2001.

Session W21 - Cold Fusion.
FOCUS session, Friday morning, March 22
139, Indiana Convention Center

[W21.001] Quantum Delocalized Interfacial Deuterium as Cold Fusion Heat Source, by Talbot Chubb (Research Systems, Inc., 5023 N. 38th St., Arlington, VA 22207)

Work is underway to test: 1) whether radiationless deuteron cold fusion occurs in quantum delocalized deuterium band-state matter on the interface between a metal surface and a polarizable electrolyte, and 2) whether quantum delocalized deuterium can be produced by overpotential electrolysis in a reactant-starved electrolytic cell. Puska and Nieminen (M. J. Puska and R. M. Nieminen, Surf. Sci. 157, 413 (1985).) showed that D on Ni(111) exists in Bloch function form when in an excited state. Modeling of exchange-symmetrized Bloch-function deuterium in D+ ion band states in a periodic lattice indicates(T. A. and S. R. Chubb,Fus.Tech.20, 93 (1991) and later papers.) that many-body effects can mitigate the normal Coulomb barrier. Liaw et al.(B. Y.Liaw et al, J. Electroanal. Chem. 318, 161, (1991).)showed that nuclear heat release occurred during D-starved electrolysis at a 1.7-Volt overpotential in the Al/KCl,LiCl,LiD/Pd system. Clarke et al. (W. B. Clarke et al, Fus.Sci. Tech. 40, 152 (2001).) showed nuclear reactions had occurred in an Arata-style cathode, containing wet Pd-black, which had been subject to Pt/D_2O,LiOD/Pd electrolysis. H_2O-starved behavior is shown in Pt/KOH,NaOH/Ag electrolysis.

[W21.002] Progress on the SRI/ENEA Collaboration to Investigate Gaseous D_2 / Pd Nuclear Effects, by Michael C.H. McKubre, Francis L. Tanzella (SRI International, Menlo Park, CA), Paolo Tripodi, Vittorio Violante (ENEA, 00044 Frascati, Rome, Italy)

A collaborative effort has been established formally between SRI and ENEA researchers to test and demonstrate the cross-laboratory replicability of gas phase Pd/D_2 excess heat, helium and tritium observations. Similar facilities are being established in both countries to allow on-line determination of heat effects correlated with helium-4, and ultimately helium-3 measurements from so called "Case" experiments involving the application of modest temperatures and D_2 gas pressures to a packed bed of palladium on carbon catalyst and other finely divided palladium materials. The results of experiments performed under similar protocols will be examined and compared. A second facet of this collaboration is the joint attempt to replicate the production of tritium in an "Arata-Zhang" hollow, double-structured cathode. Two massive hollow palladium electrodes were manufactured at ENEA and sealed to contain palladium black within the enclosed void. These electrodes presently are being operated at SRI as electrolytic cathodes in LiOD electrolyte. On experiment termination these will be sectioned and the contents examined for helium-4, helium-3 and evidence of tritium.

[W21.003] The Impact of Heavy Water (D_2O) Doping, by Mitchell Swartz (JET Energy Technology, Inc., Welleslley,MA)

Heavy water (D_2O) yields significant increases in the excess heat observed for nickel light water systems for all input electrical power levels examined (250 to 1500 mW). Gas-free spiral-wound, cold-worked nickel cathodes [volume 0.47 cm^3, area 6.39 cm^2] with an anodic platinum plate en face were examined near the peak of their optimal operating point (OOP) manifold. The peak power gain for light water [1.25^+/-.15] increased with the addition of 3.7% D_2O to 1.7 ^+/-0.2. The rate of peak excess energy generated by the nickel light water system increased from 0.25 ^+/-.05 Joules per second with H_2O, to 0.36 ^+/-0.1 with 3.7D_2O. The volume specific rate of excess energy accumulation as a function of the deuteron population is 6.0 [D/H] + 0.45 Joules/sec per cubic centimeters nickel. The surface specific rate of excess energy accumulation is 0.44 [D/H] + 0.03 Joules/sec per cubic centimeters nickel area. The form of the OOP-manifold remains similar to that for light water. We report that "overdrive" loading of deuterons into these materials, especially at > 4% D _2 O, and at >700 mW, produce irreversible changes in the nickel, characterized both by gross loss of performance and synchronous irreversible lowering of the nickel electrode's specific electrical resistivity when examined by the four-probe technique [ \approx 8-9.6% ].

[W21.004] The Elevation of Boiling Points in H_2O and D_2O Electrolytes, by M.H. Miles, H.D. Arman, J.D. Carrick, C.K. Gren, K.A. Haggerty, H.Y. Kim, A.G. Ky, J.E. Markham, C.F. Meeks, D.E. Noga (Middle Tennessee State University, Department of Chemistry, Murfreesboro, TN 37132, USA)

The excess enthalpy effect in cold fusion experiments for Pd/D_2O systems is subject to positive feedback, i.e., increasing the cell temperatureincreases the excess enthalpy . Therefore, the largest excess enthalpy effects are often observed near or at the boiling point corresponding to that of the electrolyte solution in the cell(M.H. Miles, M. Fleischmann and M.A. Imam, "Calorimetric Analysis of a Heavy Water Electrolysis Experiment Using a Pd-B Alloy Cathode", Naval Research Lab Mem. Rep.,#6320-01-8526, pp. 27-30 (2001).). However, the actual boiling point increases as the D_2O content of the cell decreases. The purpose of this project will be to compare experimental values of the change in temperature \DeltaT obtained using H_2O and D_2O solutions with theoretical values of \DeltaT calculated by assuming ideal solutions. The emphasis will be on higher concentrations as well as on saturated solutions where \DeltaT values may be quite large. Preliminary results for LiOH in H_2O show reasonable agreement with ideal solution \DeltaT values up to LiOH concentrations of 1.0 molal (m).

[W21.005] In-situ Long-range Alpha Particles and X-ray Detection for Thin-film Pd Cathodes During Electrolysis in Li_2SO_4/H_2O, by A.G. Lipson (Univ. of Illinois, Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, Urbana, IL 61801, USA), A.S. Roussetski (P.N. Lebedev Physics Institute Russian Academy of Sciences, 51 Leninsky Prospect, Moscow 117924 Russia), C.H. Castano, Kim S-O., G.H. Miley (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, Urbana, IL 61801, USA)

Measurements of long-range alpha and soft X-ray emissions have been performed using cyclotron calibrated CR-39 plastic track and LiF/Al_2O_3:C-Thermo-Luminescent (TLD) detectors. Application of CR-39 and TLD detectors to the surface of the thin Pd film-cathodes sputtered on the insulator substrate (glass, Al_2O_3, PMMA) allows detection of both alpha and soft X-ray emissions simultaneously with excess heat measurements during electrolysis using 1 Molar Li_2SO_4/H_20 electrolyte. The alpha particles in the range of 8.0 < E< 30.0 MeV (which produced alpha tracks with diameters d, in the range, 7.6> d> 6.0 \mum) were detected upon the electrolysis. Those alpha-tracks are quite unique, never having been observed during CR-39 exposure with trans-uranium alpha -sources (Am^241, Pu^239). The TLD measurement shows generation of the low intensity 5.0-10.0 keV X-ray quanta (\Phi_x < 5.0 s ^-1*cm^-2) accompanying the alpha emission.

[W21.006] Thermal Measurement during Electrolysis of Pd-Ni Thin-film -Cathodes in Li2SO4/H2O Solution, by C.H. Castano, A.G. Lipson, Kim S.-O., G.H. Miley (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, Urbana, IL 61801, USA)

Using LENR - open type calorimeters, measurements of excess heat production were carried out during electrolysis in Li_2SO_4/H_2O solution with a Pt-anode and Pd-Ni thin film cathodes (2000-8000 thick) sputtered on the different dielectric substrates. In order to accurately evaluate actual performance during electrolysis runs in the open-type calorimeter used, considering effects of heat convection, bubbling and possible H_2+O_2 recombination, smooth Pt sheets were used as cathodes. Pt provides a reference since it does not produce excess heat in the light water electrolyte. To increase the accuracy of measurements the water dissociation potential was determined for each cathode taking into account its individual over-voltage value. It is found that this design for the Pd-Ni cathodes resulted in the excess heat production of \sim 20-25 % of input power, equivalent to \sim300 mW. In cases of the Pd/Ni- film fracture (or detachment from substrate) no excess heat was detected, providing an added reference point. These experiments plus use of optimized films will be presented.

[W21.007] Preparation of Pd-Ni Thin-film Electrodes using Magnetron Sputtering, by S.-O. Kim, C.H. Castano, A.G. Lipson, N. Luo, G.H. Miley (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, Urbana, IL 61801, USA)

This study fabricated Pd-Ni thin film on Macor and Alumina substrate using magnetron sputtering in order to develop optimized cathodes for electrolysis experiments. The surface morphology of palladium-Nickel thin films on the different substrates showed completely distinct structures. Figures of merit for the cathodes include maximum excess heat production and lifetime. The quality of the film has been studied as a function of surface preparation, deposition rate, adhesion, hydrogen transport properties, and operational lifetime. This involves extensive analysis prior to and after annealing and after electrolytic runs.

[W21.008] Sub-surface Separation of Pd Isotopes in Cold-worked Palladium Foils as a Result of Deuterium Loading, by E.I. Saunin, A.G. Lipson (Institute of Physical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 31 Leninsky Prospect, Moscow 117915, Russia), G.H. Miley (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, Urbana, IL 61801, USA), V.I. Savenko (Institute of Physical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 31 Leninsky Prospect, Moscow 117915, Russia)

Symmetric separation of Pd isotope pairs of Pd^108-Pd^105 and Pd^110-Pd^104 taking place in the sub-surface layer down to 500 depth in the cold worked Pd foil loaded with deuterium has observed by a high-resolution SIMS technique. It is established that the Pd isotope separation is solely defined by a strong plastic deformation (mechanical strain), induced by deuterium loading in Pd-matrix. Possible mechanisms for the sub-surface Pd isotope separation include (a) Pd atom self-diffusion through Pd-vacancy/Pd-lattice interfaces and (b) Pd atom "centrifugation" within the dislocation sources/loops.

[W21.009] Resistance Measurement of Sputtered Pd Thin-Films During Electrolysis N. Luo, C.H. Castano, Kim S-O., A.G. Lipson, T.H. Woo, G.H. Miley (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, Urbana, IL 61801, USA)

We report the real-time resistance measurement of Pd thin films during electrolysis. The result confirms the typical resistance-loading curve obtained in the bulk Pd/H(D) system(M.C.H. McKubre et al., Proc. ICCF3, 5 (1993).)^,(G. Selvaggi, Master Degree Thesis, University of Illinois, (2001).). The time dependent resistance, however, indicates a much faster hydrogen diffusion rate along the film axis than that observed in bulk systems. One possible reason is likely the fast diffusion through grain boundaries that are abundant in sputtered thin metal films. This condition is considered favorable for the loading-flow rate desired to achieve proton reactions.

[W21.010] Thermal and Pressure Gradients in the Polarized Pd/D System, by J. Dea, P.A. Mosier-Boss, S. Szpak (SPAWAR Systems Center San Diego, San Diego, CA 92152)

It is known that negatively polarized Pd/D electrodes, prepared by the co-deposition technique, and immersed in heavy water, generate excess enthalpy at well defined spots randomly distributed in time and space. A natural consequence of localized heat sources is the development of associated pressure gradients. T he easiest way to display such gradients is to co-deposit the Pd/D system onto a pressure sensitive substrate. Indeed, in the course of the co-deposition, we have observed pressure spikes shortly after initiation of current flow. Two points of interest are discussed: First, the frequency of these spikes increases with time and with cell current; and second, in a fully charged system, they persist for hours upon termination of the cell current. The presence of pressure spikes during Pd/D co-deposition is consistent with excess enthalpy generation, which has been reported by us earlier. Furthermore, the occurrence of pressure gradients upon termination of current flow is expected in view of the heat-after-death effect, discussed by Fleischmann. A connection between excess heat generation, the presence of pressure gradients and the initiation of the Fleischmann-Pons effect is considered.

[W21.011] Finding the Missing \gamma in D+D\rightarrow ^4He Cold Fusion Excess Heat, by Scott Chubb (Research Systems, Inc., Burke, VA 22015)

The source of Cold Fusion (CF) Excess Heat is a novel form of D+D\rightarrow ^4He reaction in which no high energy \gamma rays are emitted (http://www.aps.org/meet/MAR01/baps/abs/S7640003.h tml) . An important source of confusion concerning this point is the apparent lack of consensus about known effects associated even with the conventional D+D\rightarrow^4He+\gamma reaction. In fact, although little information about D+D\rightarrow ^4He+\gamma appears in the conventional fusion literature, the photo-dissociation reaction ^4He+\gamma\rightarrowD+D not only has been widely studied but is known to occur through a quadrupolar (E2) transition in which the two particle wave function associated with the D-nuclei is required to preserve Bose symmetry, in the far field regions, where the Electromagnetic Interaction EMI is dominant. Also in this reaction coupling occurs between strong and EMI's that invalidates the separability requirements that are present in the remaining D+D fusion reactions. These facts lend credibility to the notion that coherent many-body effects, involving D-exchange can alter the reaction in such a way that \gamma ray emission is not required.

[W21.012] Evidence for D+D \rightarrow ^4He Without High Energy Paricles, via Cavitation, by Roger Stringham (First Gate, 84 Big Tree Rd, Woodside, CA 94062)

The collapse of a transient cavitation bubble in deuterium oxide produces a high density plasma jet containing 1010 deuterons. The jet experiences an inertial compression via the pinch effect to reach high densities in the order of 1025 gm/cc before implanting into a foil target. During the initial period of implantation of a few picoseconds, the high density deuterons in the target lattice experience reduced coulomb repulsion due to the high density charge screening. In this environment it is possible some DD fusion events occur as evidenced by 75 to 1000 nanometer diameter vents in the target lattice. Photos of the metal target foils show a unique population distribution of vents and analysis of the reactor gases show evidence of helium four production. Making some basic assumptions the smallest diameter and highest population vents are produced by events in the order of 20 Mev. When monitored there was no long range radiation detected.

[W21.013] Progress Toward a Sono-Fusion Demonstration Device, by Kenneth Rauen, Eugene Mallove (New Energy Research laboratory, PO Box 2816, Concord, NH 03302-2816)

New Energy Research Laboratory (NERL) has been developing a commercial demonstration device, based on the pioneering work of Roger Stringham (First Gate Energies). Stringham has shown how to produce excess heat from ultrasonic, cavitating bubbles, typically using D_2O, in contact with various metals. NERL has improved the power and heat measurements, by employing Seebeck envelope calorimetry. Nerl has also improved the design of these sono-cavitation reactors, and may make them available in 2002 to the public, in the form of research kits, which would be suitable for corporations and universities, as well as individual engineers and scientists who would like to obtain hands-on, concrete proof of phenomena connected with cold fusion particularly its primary signature: nuclear scale excess energy. Potentially, such kits may be useful for investigating anomalous by-products, such as helium-4. But the primary goal of the kit is to demonstrate significant excess energy beyond electro-acoustic input power. Prototype reactors here at NERL have already produced about 1.5 watts of continuous excess power for many hours.

[W21.014] Extracting Compact dd State Energies from the Kasagi Experiment, by Peter Hagelstein (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Research Laboratory of Electronics, Cambridge, MA 02139)

Kasagi has reported on the observation of 17 MeV protons and 6 MeV alpha particles from 100 KeV deuterons incident on metal deuteride targets. As the fast proton and alpha signals have a large spread in energy, Kasagi has conjectured that these products may be due to a three-body ddd-fusion reaction process. We have previously described a model in which coupling between nuclei and the lattice leads to the development of compact dd-states as a consequence of site-other-site interactions. The model indicates that the compact dd-states can have a spread of energies as a consequence of the different nuclei/phonon coupling strength associated with different sites. The impact of a spread in dd-state energies on the proton and alpha energy distributions is discussed.

The primary source is http://www.aps.org/meet/MAR02/baps/abs/S7810.html. As you can see from the text below, this is not a joke.

They had one more presentation than last year At least they're now allowed to call it "cold fusion" instead of "Palladium-Deuteron" and "Palladium Electrochemistry" as they had to before 2001.

Session W21 - Cold Fusion.
FOCUS session, Friday morning, March 22
139, Indiana Convention Center

[W21.001] Quantum Delocalized Interfacial Deuterium as Cold Fusion Heat Source, by Talbot Chubb (Research Systems, Inc., 5023 N. 38th St., Arlington, VA 22207)

Work is underway to test: 1) whether radiationless deuteron cold fusion occurs in quantum delocalized deuterium band-state matter on the interface between a metal surface and a polarizable electrolyte, and 2) whether quantum delocalized deuterium can be produced by overpotential electrolysis in a reactant-starved electrolytic cell. Puska and Nieminen (M. J. Puska and R. M. Nieminen, Surf. Sci. 157, 413 (1985).) showed that D on Ni(111) exists in Bloch function form when in an excited state. Modeling of exchange-symmetrized Bloch-function deuterium in D+ ion band states in a periodic lattice indicates(T. A. and S. R. Chubb,Fus.Tech.20, 93 (1991) and later papers.) that many-body effects can mitigate the normal Coulomb barrier. Liaw et al.(B. Y.Liaw et al, J. Electroanal. Chem. 318, 161, (1991).)showed that nuclear heat release occurred during D-starved electrolysis at a 1.7-Volt overpotential in the Al/KCl,LiCl,LiD/Pd system. Clarke et al. (W. B. Clarke et al, Fus.Sci. Tech. 40, 152 (2001).) showed nuclear reactions had occurred in an Arata-style cathode, containing wet Pd-black, which had been subject to Pt/D_2O,LiOD/Pd electrolysis. H_2O-starved behavior is shown in Pt/KOH,NaOH/Ag electrolysis.

[W21.002] Progress on the SRI/ENEA Collaboration to Investigate Gaseous D_2 / Pd Nuclear Effects, by Michael C.H. McKubre, Francis L. Tanzella (SRI International, Menlo Park, CA), Paolo Tripodi, Vittorio Violante (ENEA, 00044 Frascati, Rome, Italy)

A collaborative effort has been established formally between SRI and ENEA researchers to test and demonstrate the cross-laboratory replicability of gas phase Pd/D_2 excess heat, helium and tritium observations. Similar facilities are being established in both countries to allow on-line determination of heat effects correlated with helium-4, and ultimately helium-3 measurements from so called "Case" experiments involving the application of modest temperatures and D_2 gas pressures to a packed bed of palladium on carbon catalyst and other finely divided palladium materials. The results of experiments performed under similar protocols will be examined and compared. A second facet of this collaboration is the joint attempt to replicate the production of tritium in an "Arata-Zhang" hollow, double-structured cathode. Two massive hollow palladium electrodes were manufactured at ENEA and sealed to contain palladium black within the enclosed void. These electrodes presently are being operated at SRI as electrolytic cathodes in LiOD electrolyte. On experiment termination these will be sectioned and the contents examined for helium-4, helium-3 and evidence of tritium.

[W21.003] The Impact of Heavy Water (D_2O) Doping, by Mitchell Swartz (JET Energy Technology, Inc., Welleslley,MA)

Heavy water (D_2O) yields significant increases in the excess heat observed for nickel light water systems for all input electrical power levels examined (250 to 1500 mW). Gas-free spiral-wound, cold-worked nickel cathodes [volume 0.47 cm^3, area 6.39 cm^2] with an anodic platinum plate en face were examined near the peak of their optimal operating point (OOP) manifold. The peak power gain for light water [1.25^+/-.15] increased with the addition of 3.7% D_2O to 1.7 ^+/-0.2. The rate of peak excess energy generated by the nickel light water system increased from 0.25 ^+/-.05 Joules per second with H_2O, to 0.36 ^+/-0.1 with 3.7D_2O. The volume specific rate of excess energy accumulation as a function of the deuteron population is 6.0 [D/H] + 0.45 Joules/sec per cubic centimeters nickel. The surface specific rate of excess energy accumulation is 0.44 [D/H] + 0.03 Joules/sec per cubic centimeters nickel area. The form of the OOP-manifold remains similar to that for light water. We report that "overdrive" loading of deuterons into these materials, especially at > 4% D _2 O, and at >700 mW, produce irreversible changes in the nickel, characterized both by gross loss of performance and synchronous irreversible lowering of the nickel electrode's specific electrical resistivity when examined by the four-probe technique [ \approx 8-9.6% ].

[W21.004] The Elevation of Boiling Points in H_2O and D_2O Electrolytes, by M.H. Miles, H.D. Arman, J.D. Carrick, C.K. Gren, K.A. Haggerty, H.Y. Kim, A.G. Ky, J.E. Markham, C.F. Meeks, D.E. Noga (Middle Tennessee State University, Department of Chemistry, Murfreesboro, TN 37132, USA)

The excess enthalpy effect in cold fusion experiments for Pd/D_2O systems is subject to positive feedback, i.e., increasing the cell temperatureincreases the excess enthalpy . Therefore, the largest excess enthalpy effects are often observed near or at the boiling point corresponding to that of the electrolyte solution in the cell(M.H. Miles, M. Fleischmann and M.A. Imam, "Calorimetric Analysis of a Heavy Water Electrolysis Experiment Using a Pd-B Alloy Cathode", Naval Research Lab Mem. Rep.,#6320-01-8526, pp. 27-30 (2001).). However, the actual boiling point increases as the D_2O content of the cell decreases. The purpose of this project will be to compare experimental values of the change in temperature \DeltaT obtained using H_2O and D_2O solutions with theoretical values of \DeltaT calculated by assuming ideal solutions. The emphasis will be on higher concentrations as well as on saturated solutions where \DeltaT values may be quite large. Preliminary results for LiOH in H_2O show reasonable agreement with ideal solution \DeltaT values up to LiOH concentrations of 1.0 molal (m).

[W21.005] In-situ Long-range Alpha Particles and X-ray Detection for Thin-film Pd Cathodes During Electrolysis in Li_2SO_4/H_2O, by A.G. Lipson (Univ. of Illinois, Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, Urbana, IL 61801, USA), A.S. Roussetski (P.N. Lebedev Physics Institute Russian Academy of Sciences, 51 Leninsky Prospect, Moscow 117924 Russia), C.H. Castano, Kim S-O., G.H. Miley (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, Urbana, IL 61801, USA)

Measurements of long-range alpha and soft X-ray emissions have been performed using cyclotron calibrated CR-39 plastic track and LiF/Al_2O_3:C-Thermo-Luminescent (TLD) detectors. Application of CR-39 and TLD detectors to the surface of the thin Pd film-cathodes sputtered on the insulator substrate (glass, Al_2O_3, PMMA) allows detection of both alpha and soft X-ray emissions simultaneously with excess heat measurements during electrolysis using 1 Molar Li_2SO_4/H_20 electrolyte. The alpha particles in the range of 8.0 < E< 30.0 MeV (which produced alpha tracks with diameters d, in the range, 7.6> d> 6.0 \mum) were detected upon the electrolysis. Those alpha-tracks are quite unique, never having been observed during CR-39 exposure with trans-uranium alpha -sources (Am^241, Pu^239). The TLD measurement shows generation of the low intensity 5.0-10.0 keV X-ray quanta (\Phi_x < 5.0 s ^-1*cm^-2) accompanying the alpha emission.

[W21.006] Thermal Measurement during Electrolysis of Pd-Ni Thin-film -Cathodes in Li2SO4/H2O Solution, by C.H. Castano, A.G. Lipson, Kim S.-O., G.H. Miley (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, Urbana, IL 61801, USA)

Using LENR - open type calorimeters, measurements of excess heat production were carried out during electrolysis in Li_2SO_4/H_2O solution with a Pt-anode and Pd-Ni thin film cathodes (2000-8000 thick) sputtered on the different dielectric substrates. In order to accurately evaluate actual performance during electrolysis runs in the open-type calorimeter used, considering effects of heat convection, bubbling and possible H_2+O_2 recombination, smooth Pt sheets were used as cathodes. Pt provides a reference since it does not produce excess heat in the light water electrolyte. To increase the accuracy of measurements the water dissociation potential was determined for each cathode taking into account its individual over-voltage value. It is found that this design for the Pd-Ni cathodes resulted in the excess heat production of \sim 20-25 % of input power, equivalent to \sim300 mW. In cases of the Pd/Ni- film fracture (or detachment from substrate) no excess heat was detected, providing an added reference point. These experiments plus use of optimized films will be presented.

[W21.007] Preparation of Pd-Ni Thin-film Electrodes using Magnetron Sputtering, by S.-O. Kim, C.H. Castano, A.G. Lipson, N. Luo, G.H. Miley (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, Urbana, IL 61801, USA)

This study fabricated Pd-Ni thin film on Macor and Alumina substrate using magnetron sputtering in order to develop optimized cathodes for electrolysis experiments. The surface morphology of palladium-Nickel thin films on the different substrates showed completely distinct structures. Figures of merit for the cathodes include maximum excess heat production and lifetime. The quality of the film has been studied as a function of surface preparation, deposition rate, adhesion, hydrogen transport properties, and operational lifetime. This involves extensive analysis prior to and after annealing and after electrolytic runs.

[W21.008] Sub-surface Separation of Pd Isotopes in Cold-worked Palladium Foils as a Result of Deuterium Loading, by E.I. Saunin, A.G. Lipson (Institute of Physical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 31 Leninsky Prospect, Moscow 117915, Russia), G.H. Miley (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, Urbana, IL 61801, USA), V.I. Savenko (Institute of Physical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 31 Leninsky Prospect, Moscow 117915, Russia)

Symmetric separation of Pd isotope pairs of Pd^108-Pd^105 and Pd^110-Pd^104 taking place in the sub-surface layer down to 500 depth in the cold worked Pd foil loaded with deuterium has observed by a high-resolution SIMS technique. It is established that the Pd isotope separation is solely defined by a strong plastic deformation (mechanical strain), induced by deuterium loading in Pd-matrix. Possible mechanisms for the sub-surface Pd isotope separation include (a) Pd atom self-diffusion through Pd-vacancy/Pd-lattice interfaces and (b) Pd atom "centrifugation" within the dislocation sources/loops.

[W21.009] Resistance Measurement of Sputtered Pd Thin-Films During Electrolysis N. Luo, C.H. Castano, Kim S-O., A.G. Lipson, T.H. Woo, G.H. Miley (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, Urbana, IL 61801, USA)

We report the real-time resistance measurement of Pd thin films during electrolysis. The result confirms the typical resistance-loading curve obtained in the bulk Pd/H(D) system(M.C.H. McKubre et al., Proc. ICCF3, 5 (1993).)^,(G. Selvaggi, Master Degree Thesis, University of Illinois, (2001).). The time dependent resistance, however, indicates a much faster hydrogen diffusion rate along the film axis than that observed in bulk systems. One possible reason is likely the fast diffusion through grain boundaries that are abundant in sputtered thin metal films. This condition is considered favorable for the loading-flow rate desired to achieve proton reactions.

[W21.010] Thermal and Pressure Gradients in the Polarized Pd/D System, by J. Dea, P.A. Mosier-Boss, S. Szpak (SPAWAR Systems Center San Diego, San Diego, CA 92152)

It is known that negatively polarized Pd/D electrodes, prepared by the co-deposition technique, and immersed in heavy water, generate excess enthalpy at well defined spots randomly distributed in time and space. A natural consequence of localized heat sources is the development of associated pressure gradients. T he easiest way to display such gradients is to co-deposit the Pd/D system onto a pressure sensitive substrate. Indeed, in the course of the co-deposition, we have observed pressure spikes shortly after initiation of current flow. Two points of interest are discussed: First, the frequency of these spikes increases with time and with cell current; and second, in a fully charged system, they persist for hours upon termination of the cell current. The presence of pressure spikes during Pd/D co-deposition is consistent with excess enthalpy generation, which has been reported by us earlier. Furthermore, the occurrence of pressure gradients upon termination of current flow is expected in view of the heat-after-death effect, discussed by Fleischmann. A connection between excess heat generation, the presence of pressure gradients and the initiation of the Fleischmann-Pons effect is considered.

[W21.011] Finding the Missing \gamma in D+D\rightarrow ^4He Cold Fusion Excess Heat, by Scott Chubb (Research Systems, Inc., Burke, VA 22015)

The source of Cold Fusion (CF) Excess Heat is a novel form of D+D\rightarrow ^4He reaction in which no high energy \gamma rays are emitted (http://www.aps.org/meet/MAR01/baps/abs/S7640003.h tml) . An important source of confusion concerning this point is the apparent lack of consensus about known effects associated even with the conventional D+D\rightarrow^4He+\gamma reaction. In fact, although little information about D+D\rightarrow ^4He+\gamma appears in the conventional fusion literature, the photo-dissociation reaction ^4He+\gamma\rightarrowD+D not only has been widely studied but is known to occur through a quadrupolar (E2) transition in which the two particle wave function associated with the D-nuclei is required to preserve Bose symmetry, in the far field regions, where the Electromagnetic Interaction EMI is dominant. Also in this reaction coupling occurs between strong and EMI's that invalidates the separability requirements that are present in the remaining D+D fusion reactions. These facts lend credibility to the notion that coherent many-body effects, involving D-exchange can alter the reaction in such a way that \gamma ray emission is not required.

[W21.012] Evidence for D+D \rightarrow ^4He Without High Energy Paricles, via Cavitation, by Roger Stringham (First Gate, 84 Big Tree Rd, Woodside, CA 94062)

The collapse of a transient cavitation bubble in deuterium oxide produces a high density plasma jet containing 1010 deuterons. The jet experiences an inertial compression via the pinch effect to reach high densities in the order of 1025 gm/cc before implanting into a foil target. During the initial period of implantation of a few picoseconds, the high density deuterons in the target lattice experience reduced coulomb repulsion due to the high density charge screening. In this environment it is possible some DD fusion events occur as evidenced by 75 to 1000 nanometer diameter vents in the target lattice. Photos of the metal target foils show a unique population distribution of vents and analysis of the reactor gases show evidence of helium four production. Making some basic assumptions the smallest diameter and highest population vents are produced by events in the order of 20 Mev. When monitored there was no long range radiation detected.

[W21.013] Progress Toward a Sono-Fusion Demonstration Device, by Kenneth Rauen, Eugene Mallove (New Energy Research laboratory, PO Box 2816, Concord, NH 03302-2816)

New Energy Research Laboratory (NERL) has been developing a commercial demonstration device, based on the pioneering work of Roger Stringham (First Gate Energies). Stringham has shown how to produce excess heat from ultrasonic, cavitating bubbles, typically using D_2O, in contact with various metals. NERL has improved the power and heat measurements, by employing Seebeck envelope calorimetry. Nerl has also improved the design of these sono-cavitation reactors, and may make them available in 2002 to the public, in the form of research kits, which would be suitable for corporations and universities, as well as individual engineers and scientists who would like to obtain hands-on, concrete proof of phenomena connected with cold fusion particularly its primary signature: nuclear scale excess energy. Potentially, such kits may be useful for investigating anomalous by-products, such as helium-4. But the primary goal of the kit is to demonstrate significant excess energy beyond electro-acoustic input power. Prototype reactors here at NERL have already produced about 1.5 watts of continuous excess power for many hours.

[W21.014] Extracting Compact dd State Energies from the Kasagi Experiment, by Peter Hagelstein (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Research Laboratory of Electronics, Cambridge, MA 02139)

Kasagi has reported on the observation of 17 MeV protons and 6 MeV alpha particles from 100 KeV deuterons incident on metal deuteride targets. As the fast proton and alpha signals have a large spread in energy, Kasagi has conjectured that these products may be due to a three-body ddd-fusion reaction process. We have previously described a model in which coupling between nuclei and the lattice leads to the development of compact dd-states as a consequence of site-other-site interactions. The model indicates that the compact dd-states can have a spread of energies as a consequence of the different nuclei/phonon coupling strength associated with different sites. The impact of a spread in dd-state energies on the proton and alpha energy distributions is discussed.