This reaction can be described as D + T → He-4 + neutron + 17.6 MeV. The energy released by this reaction is about three times greater than the energy put in. However, before discussing the application of cold fusion to energy production, we need to discuss the challenges this technology poses and why it has been, and still is, considered a scientific ‘Wild West’.
Why did we stop investing in cold fusion?
Cold fusion is considered a pseudoscience and a fringe science. Unlike normal science, there are no clear goals, no general consensus and no way of assessing the quality of the experiments. The goals of cold fusion research are very vague, such as producing nuclear reactions at low temperatures. Such goals are clearly impossible to verify, and so anyone can claim to have achieved cold fusion.
There is no general consensus on what to investigate. Different teams have different research questions, so it is unclear whether they are pursuing the same goal, whether they are working together or whether they are aware of one another’s work. There is no way to assess the quality of the experiments. Theoretical explanations and experimental results are often difficult to compare. There is no standard scientific protocol used by all researchers.
Why is it back?
Cold fusion researchers have said that the time is right for a breakthrough thanks to the following developments: - The rise of renewable energy makes it necessary to find clean, cheap sources of energy. - New materials able to withstand high temperatures have been developed, making it possible to fuse atoms at lower temperatures. - Powerful computers able to model the interaction between atoms have been developed, making it possible to simulate the fusion process. - New materials, such as nanowires, able to produce large amounts of energy have been developed.
The new materials can be used as catalysts that increase the speed of reactions. In addition, the funding landscape has changed, making it easier to invest in research. Investors are likely becoming more open and more willing to take greater risks when it comes to new technologies. The internet, which connects people all over the world, makes it easier to collaborate and share knowledge.
In conclusion
Cold fusion is nothing new, but it has lain dormant for the past 30 years. It is one of the most studied energy sources in history, but it has not lived up to its promise. The main reason is that it has not been possible to replicate the experiments, there has been no information on the underlying theory, and no one has explained why it was able to produce more energy than was put in. These problems have now been addressed and the field is receiving more attention than ever. If cold fusion can be replicated and if we can understand its theory, it may be possible to use it as a new source of clean energy.
