NASA Lattice Confinement Fusion Gas Cycling Experiments

ARPA-E Workshop on Low-Energy Nuclear Reactions ^ | October 21–22, 2021 | Theresa L. Benyo, PhD

[Kevmo]

Lattice Confinement Fusion Gas Cycling Experiments ARPA-E Workshop on Low-Energy Nuclear Reactions October 21–22, 2021

Theresa L. Benyo, PhD Principal Investigator, Lattice Confinement Fusion Project

Analytical Physicist NASA Glenn Research Center

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- J-M Gas Cycling Experiments: Description High flux of D through Pd/Ag hydride system:

• Test Article: Johnson-Matthey (JM) hydrogen purifier

• Hydrogen purification accomplished by gas diffusion across Pd/Ag Tube

• Inspired by electrolytic wet cell experiments and LENR claims, G. Fralick (1989) used JM purifier to load Pd with D2 since it’s easier than loading D2 during a wet cell experiment; looked for neutrons and heat release

• Very little neutrons above background observed

• Observed temperature rise of 17 °C in 15 sec unloading D2 but not with H2

• Experiments in 2014 & 2018: pressurized cycling of D2 gas produces heat & surface transmutations on PdAg tubing; evidence of LENR

• Experimental protocol:

• Heat JM purifier tube bundles to < 400°C (ideally between 375°C & 400°C) to maintain structural integrity of Pd/Ag tubing and heal cracks on the tube

• Load with D2 gas to given pressure on inner/outer sides of Pd/Ag coils

• Unload: Rapidly evacuate to vacuum sink, resulting in high flux of trapped D

• Inputs/Outputs:

• Resistance heater used to raise temperature of the Pd/Ag tubing

• Thermocouples placed on parts of PdAg coil, the inner SS can, and heater

• Pyrometer aimed at sapphire window to monitor overall temperature

• Materials analyses of unexposed and exposed PdAg tubing

Expt. Reacted Gas J. Biberian and N. Armanet, “Excess Heat during Diffusion of Deuterium Through Palladium”, Proc. ICCF13, Sochi, Russia (2007) pp. 170-180

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Initial work during original 1989 gas cycling experiments inspired other researchers such as Bin Liu and J. P. Biberian to investigate the excess heat anomaly.

• B. Liu excess heat (2006): 3.5 W

• Biberian excess heat (2007): 3 W (calorimeter) B. Liu, X.-Z. Li, Q.M. Wei, N. Mueller, P. Schoch, H. Oehre, “Excess Heat Induced by Deuterium Flux in Palladium Film”, Condensed Matter Nuclear Science, pp. 75-79 (2006). J-M Gas Cycling Experiments: Data (2014) High flux of D through Pd/Ag hydride system:

• Thermocouples showed anomalous heat release during experiment

• During D2 cycling, temperature rise occurred almost 100% present

• During H2 cycling, temperature rise less often than during D2 cycling

• During He cycling, temperature rise never occurred

• Scanning Electron Microscopy showed areas of molten looking spots and craters

• Palladium melts at 1560 °C and silver melts at 962 °C yet system heater was kept under 425 °C

G. Fralick, R. Hendricks, W. Jennings, T. Benyo, F. VanKeuls, D. Ellis, B. Steinetz, L. Forsley, C. Sandifer, “Transmutations observed from pressure cycling palladium silver metals with deuterium gas," International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 45, no. 56, pp. 32320-32330, 2020.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Scanning Electron Microscope/Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) 11/3/2021 4 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Observed areas that look melted or crystalized. J-M Gas Cycling Experiments: Data (2018) J-M Gas Cycling Experiments: Data (2018) High flux of D through Pd/Ag hydride system:

• ICP-AES: Elemental bulk analysis of PdAg tubing

• Elevated levels of Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn detected in the exposed PdAg tubing

• SEM/EDS: Elemental surface analysis of PdAg tubing

• Spots of Fe, Cr and Cu on top of the PdAg alloy with overall spread of Zn on exposed PdAg tubing compared to unexposed PdAg tubing with mostly Pd, Ag and trace of Fe present.

• ToF SIMS: Isotopic surface analysis of PdAg tubing

• Areas of 63Cu, 64Zn, 56Fe, and 52Cr

SEM/EDS National Aeronautics and Space Administration • Need to rule out contamination of PdAg tubes with other materials within the JM gas cycling system; stainless steel being transferred?

• JM system really designed for hydrogen purification

• Need pressurized system specifically designed to track material changes and allow for other materials to be cycled with reaction gases

• Need more data of before vs after condition of PdAg

• Continue ICP-AES (bulk), SEM/EDS (surface), and ToF-SIMS (isotopic)

• Need better measurement of excess heat

• Run with calorimetry in addition to thermocouples.

• Repeatability and Scalability

• Need to have multiple runs with same conditions

• When repeatability mastered, begin scaling up

• Further investigation of d-Pd fusion-fission theory

• Gas analysis of captured/cycled D2 gas

• Additional SEM/EDS and ToF analysis of samples

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Assessment of needs B. Liu, Z. M. Dong, C.L. Liang, and X. Z. Li, “Nuclear Transmutation of a Thin Pd Film in a Gas-loading D/Pd System”, J. Condensed Matter Nucl. Sci. 13 (2014) pp. 311-318 National Aeronautics and Space Administration

• Need to rule out contamination of PdAg tubes with other materials within the JM gas cycling system; stainless steel being transferred?

• JM system really designed for hydrogen purification

• Need pressurized system specifically designed to track material changes and allow for other materials to be cycled with reaction gases • Need more data of before vs after condition of PdAg

• Continue ICP-AES (bulk), SEM/EDS (surface), and ToF-SIMS (isotopic)

• Need better measurement of excess heat

• Run with calorimetry in addition to thermocouples.

• Repeatability and Scalability

• Need to have multiple runs with same conditions

• When repeatability mastered, begin scaling up

• Further investigation of d-Pd fusion-fission theory

• Gas analysis of captured/cycled D2 gas

• Additional SEM/EDS and ToF analysis of samples 11/3/2021

[Kevmo]

NASA is seeing evidence of LENR. Their preferred term for it is Lattice Confined Fusion.

[Kevmo]

The Cold Fusion/LENR Ping List

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/coldfusion/index?tab=articles

Keywords: ColdFusion; LENR; lanr; CMNS
chat—science

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http://lenr-canr.org/

Vortex-L
http://tinyurl.com/pxtqx3y

Acronyms:
LENR: Low Energy Nuclear Reactions. [Also Lattice Enabled Nuclear Reactions, but seldom used]
CANR: Chemical Assisted Nuclear Reactions [fallen into disuse along with LANR/Lattice Assisted Nuclear Reactions]
CMNS: Condensed Matter Nuclear Science
LCF: Lattice Confined Fusion [NASA’s term for it]
AHE: Anomolous Heating Effect. Also PFAHE, for the Pons-Fleischmann AHE.

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Best book to get started on this subject:
EXCESS HEAT
Why Cold Fusion Research Prevailed by Charles Beaudette

https://www.abebooks.com/9780967854809/Excess-Heat-Why-Cold-Fusion-0967854806/plp

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Updated No Internal Trolling Rules for FR per Jim Robinson

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3928396/posts

If someone says stop, then stop. Do not enter onto a thread on a topic you don’t like just to disrupt, rattle cages, poke sticks, insult the regulars, or engage in trolling activities, etc. ~Jim Robinson

The issue isn’t whether we allow skepticism, it is whether we allow hyperskeptics and skeptopaths to ruin the scientific dialog. Such FReepers who persist in polluting these threads have been asked to leave, and we are asking that they open their own threads if they have comments.

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https://freerepublic.com/focus/chat/3977426/posts?page=19#19

Comment #13 Removed by Moderator

Comment #14 Removed by Moderator

Comment #16 Removed by Moderator

Comment #17 Removed by Moderator

Comment #18 Removed by Moderator

This topic has a following, people who wish to learn and discuss the materials presented.

Please refrain from posting anything that doesn’t legitimately address the issue.

Something is going on in this segment of science. There are a considerable number of research groups studying the matter.

19 posted on 7/19/2021, 6:45:09 PM by Sidebar Moderator

[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies | Report Abuse]

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[Nifster]

That’s not what that said

[Kevmo]

Sure it is. It’s just a followup of previous NASA Lattice Confinement Fusion findings
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3964274/posts

[DoughtyOne]

NASA is like dirty four letter word to me these days.

They should rename it NIYL.

not in your lifetime

I am glad to see they have been working on this though,
although I’m somewhat surprised they would be working on it.

Although it may or probably would have a place in space
exploration later on, you’d think some of our nation’s
labs would be a much more fitting place for this type of
study at this point.

It’s almost like NASA will work on anything other than
getting us into space.

[Alas Babylon!]

I am a skeptic, too, but I think working on nuclear power—to include fusion—would be in their charter.

We’re not going to flourish in space without fusion power, in my humble opinion.

[x]

NASA Lattice Confinement Fusion Gas Cycling Experiments

Great band name, but don't you think it's a little too long?

[A Voice]

“We’re not going to flourish in space without fusion power, in my humble opinion.”

We can’t even flourish on this planet without the constant bickering and fighting. Not hopeful about any type of space exploration in my lifetime and I grew up a “Trekkie”.

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks for the replay.

We have to have something better than what we have. That’s
for sure.

[Wonder Warthog]

"Not hopeful about any type of space exploration in my lifetime and I grew up a “Trekkie”."

Not by government, certainly. SpaceX??

[Kevmo]

I think SpaceX has their eyes on the prize, which is that they’ll be the first to mine an asteroid.

[Wonder Warthog]

"I think SpaceX has their eyes on the prize, which is that they’ll be the first to mine an asteroid."

I think Musk has his eye on a lot of prizes. Mining an asteroid is probably one, but small potatoes compared to others.

[Kevmo]

Mining an asteroid would bring in a cool $Trillion. Then we’ll have a true space race.

[Wonder Warthog]

"Mining an asteroid would bring in a cool $Trillion. Then we’ll have a true space race."

Small potatoes compared to powersats, which would yield many, many trillions.....Musk's internet satellite system is already laying the technological groundwork to make powersats practical, along with SpaceX and Tesla.

[Kevmo]

Powersats?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powersat_(novel)

� 5.12.1 The Solar Power Satellite (SPS) Concept
The Solar Power Satellite (SPS) concept would place solar power plants in orbit above Earth, where they would convert sunlight to electricity and beam the power to ground-based receiving stations.
https://www.permanent.com/solar-powersat-satellite-concept.html

When I was a teenager there was a congressional vote on some project just like this one. The vote was sumthin like 434-1. I was so intrigued that anyone would be against such a project that I looked into it — how could anyone be that anti-solar? It turned out to be a congressman who was so PRO-solar that he felt it was safe to vote against this project because solar power was all about DEcentralization of power. It opened my eyes to looking at both sides of every situation as much as possible.

[Wonder Warthog]

I prefer Jerry Pournelle’s take on powersats over Bova’s (non-fiction science vs fiction).

I find it less than coincidental that the “pieces” of Musks various enterprises just fortuitously also provide exactly the technological base for a powersat industry.