Cold fusion

: This article is about the nuclear reaction. For the computer programming language, see ColdFusion.

Introduction

There are a number of suggested processes by which this may occur, although currently none of these has been shown to release more energy than is required to sustain the reaction (see breakeven): a requirement for the process to be useful for producing power. This does not rule out other uses, such as for compact, desktop neutron generation.

Related Topics:
Breakeven - Power

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The term is often used in a more narrow sense: that is, a phenomenon observed in electrolytic cells in which a small (table-top) apparatus near room temperature and standard atmospheric pressure has been suggested to be the fusion of hydrogen (specifically deuterium) atoms into helium.

Related Topics:
Electrolytic cell - Room temperature - Standard atmospheric pressure - Hydrogen - Deuterium - Helium

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Additional claims are now made in the cold fusion field, in addition to the fusion reaction. For this reason, the terms "Low Energy Nuclear Reactions" and "Condensed Matter Nuclear Science" are also used to describe work in this field.

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Nuclear fusion using deuterium (an isotope of hydrogen) yields large amounts of energy, uses an abundant fuel source, and produces only small amounts of radioactive waste. Therefore, a cheap and simple process of nuclear fusion would have great economic impact. As of 2005, however, hot fusion cannot be achieved in a controlled and sustained way, and proven cold fusion methods do not seem to yield more energy than is put into them. If cold fusion in electrolytic cells were shown to work, it might become a cheap and simple means of power generation.

Related Topics:
Deuterium - Isotope - Hydrogen - Energy - Radioactive waste - Economic - As of 2005

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