Sonofusion Experiment Produces Results Without External Neutron Source

[bananas]

http://www.physorg.com/news10336.html

Sonofusion Experiment Produces Results Without External Neutron Source

Physics : January 27, 2006

A team of researchers from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Purdue University, and the Russian Academy of Sciences has used sound waves to induce nuclear fusion without the need for an external neutron source, according to a paper in the Jan. 27 issue of Physical Review Letters.
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In the new setup, the researchers dissolved natural uranium in the solution, which produces bubbles through radioactive decay. “This completely obviates the need to use an external neutron source, resolving any lingering confusion associated with the possible influence of external neutrons,” says Robert Block, professor emeritus of nuclear engineering at Rensselaer and also an author of the paper.
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As a cross-check, the experiments were repeated with the detectors at twice the original distance from the device, where the amount of neutrons decreased by a factor of about four. These results are in keeping with what would be predicted by the “inverse square law,” which provides further evidence that fusion neutrons were in fact produced inside the device, according to the researchers.
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The research team leaders are all well known authorities in the field of nuclear engineering. Lahey is a fellow of both the American Nuclear Society (ANS) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and is a member of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). Block is the longtime director of the Gaerttner Linear Accelerator (LINAC) Laboratory at Rensselaer, and he is also a fellow of the ANS and recipient of their 2005 Seaborg Medal, which recognizes an individual who has made outstanding scientific or engineering research contributions to the development of peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Taleyarkhan, a fellow of the ANS and the program’s director, is currently the Ardent Bement Jr. Professor of Nuclear Engineering at Purdue University. Nigmatulin is a visiting scholar at Rensselaer, a former member of the Russian Duma, and the president of the Bashkortonstan branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS).

Source: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)

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[formercia]

1. Does it produce more power than it consumes?

otherwise, it's just an expensive Helium generator.

[benburch]

2. Nope.

But this WILL make a very useful way to make fusion-energy neutrons.

Lots of ways to use them, from making isotopes to non-destructive inspecting of materials.

[formercia]

3. Neutron Generators are a mature technology

and not a complicated thing to produce if you have the correct materials. Neutron sources are useful for many things besides making weapons.

[bananas]

4. No, this was basic reasearch, not a commercial prototype

Apparently some are still not convinced that cold fusion occurs at all.
From the article:

The telltale sign that fusion has occurred is the production of neutrons. Earlier experiments were criticized because the researchers used an external neutron source to produce the bubbles, and some have suggested that the neutrons detected as evidence of fusion might have been left over from this external source.
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The experiment was specifically designed to address a fundamental research question, not to make a device that would be capable of producing energy, Block says. At this stage the new device uses much more energy than it releases, but it could prove to be an inexpensive and portable source of neutrons for sensing and imaging applications.

[formercia]

5. Left over Neutrons

Kev Neutrons?, real slow.:) Seriously, when you bombard elements with Neutrons, you produce short-lived isotopes that will decay,So there's your residual Neutrons. Neutron Activation Analysis does this to non-destructively analyse materials.

[formercia]

6. I wasn't trying to be negative

Cold Fusion would be a great thing if it would scale economically. I like the idea better than trying to contain a thermonuclear explosion inside a vessel.

[Orrex]

7. UPDATE

Here's the story.

Also of note: I opened a can of soda about ten minutes ago, and it bubbled quite vigorously. I hope I don't wind up flattening Pittsburgh...