Cold fusion ‘breakthrough’ heralds clean nuclear power

The Sunday Times (UK) ^ | March 03, 2002 | Jonathan Leake, Science Editor

[waspguy]

Conceding the extremely remote possibility that it's actually "fusion", there is one major hitch:

COLD = LOW ENERGY

((((yawn))))

Ummm- not necessarily. Cold Fusion just means that the temperature at which the fusion is occuring is much lower than that traditionally expected. The fusion process can be used to heat something up - like say boil water to steam. (A nice conventional use.)

If this pans out - it's a very big deal. But I wouldn't sell that Enron stock just yet...

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

To find all articles tagged or indexed using above index words

Go here: OFFICIAL BUMP(TOPIC)LIST

and then click the topic to initiate the search! !

[blam]

"The scientists are, however, extremely cautious at this stage, saying only that they have detected all the signs of fusion rather than categorically confirming it."

If they're wrong, it's off to the Gulag!!

[tubebender]

Every time I hear the term "cold fusion" it's always followed shortly by "fraud" "dissapointment" and "let down"

...and their auditors are Arther Andersen?

[Willie Green]

The fusion process can be used to heat something up - like say boil water to steam. (A nice conventional use.)

Well give me a ping when one of these cold-fusion researchers boils enough water to make a decent cup of coffee.

[stands2reason]

I do not buy it.

[Erasmus]

COLD = LOW ENERGY

Depends on your scale of "cold."

In this context, "cold" means significantly less than 100 million degrees C.

All you need to do is make steam at 3 or 400 C, maybe, without melting down your fuel cells or elements, and there's your power source.

That's as hot as we know how to make anything that makes steam, but still cold by traditional fusion standards.

[lawdude]

"((((yawn))))"

And just what course in atomic physics taught you that tidbit of techno-babble? You really should study up on your fizix a bit better.

[Ahban]

Let's ping da' Man

[RightWhale]

The science of acoustics is just beginning.

[Ole Okie]

Don't think this is correct. The WWII bombs were fision bombs. H-bombs came later.

You're right. The hydrogen bomb was tested in 1950, as I recall.

Hope the rest of the article is a little more accurate.

[FreeperinRATcage]

Ctually...the "cold" references the differences in technique. The only previously proven way to attempt controlled fusion was in a "tokomak", basically a circular magnetic confinement system that contained a extremely hot plasma under great pressure. THile fusion has been attained, its still taken more energy to create the fusion than you get from it...no "break even".

"Cold" fusion is supposed to initiate at near room temperature, and the act of fusion generates great amount of heat. Theoretically, the heated solution would be passed through a heat exchanger/genorator system much like todays fission reactors.

Fusion is also supposed to cause NO radioactive byproducts, thus nuetering the anti-nuke whackos. Both the actual "hot" fusion and theoretical "cold" fusion models I know of are also NOT self sustaining, meaning no big BOOM in an accident.

[FReepaholic]

>>...Until now the only way to achieve fusion has been through nuclear weapons ...<<

I thought weapons used nuclear FISSION.

[blam]

"You're right. The hydrogen bomb was tested in 1950, as I recall."

Edward Teller's baby.

[aculeus]

There's no fusion like cold fusion
Like no fusion I know
Everything about it is appealing
...

You take it from there.

[mvpel]

It's been 30-50 years away for the last 30-50 years.

[50sDad]

Imagine...Arabs in the backwaters of the world, suddenly sitting on nothing more than useless oil. Saddam? Beat it, pinhead! Saudi Arabia? You are SOOOOO 20th Century!

I heard a few months ago that the crown prince of SA was advising his country to *diversify* their investments. That is secret code for "Before long, we are going to be swept into the dustbin of history."

Man, this is going to be sweet.

[aculeus]

I do not buy it.

I do not sell it.

[Hagrid]

The first group from Utah couldn't replicate their own experiments. Other scientists were right to jump on them. If you can replicate these experiments, then this is science, not a hunch.

[Free the USA]

Interesting thanks for the ping