Whatever happened to cold fusion?
According to Einstein’s famous
equation E=mc^2 , if two small atomic nuclei
can be fused together, the resulting mass
change is released as energy. Scientists
have achieved such ‘nuclear fusion’ inside
fusion reactors generating temperatures
hotter than the core of the Sun. But in
1989 chemists Martin Fleischmann in the
UK and Stanley Pons in the US created
a sensation by claiming to have triggered
fusion at room temperature using simple
laboratory equipment.
Scientists raced to replicate their claim,
with mixed results. Despite the simplicity
of the equipment involved – comparable
to that used for electroplating engine
parts and jewellery – measuring just how
much energy was released proved tricky.
Most scientists concluded the positive
results were due to faulty measurements,
and abandoned cold fusion research.
Some have continued to pursue the
idea, however. In 2011, researchers in
Italy claimed to have built a cold fusion-
powered device called the Energy
Catalyser that produced over 30 times
more power than it consumed. But the
results have yet to be published in a
scientific journal, let alone replicated.
Some may argue this is because of
deliberate suppression by the scientific
community or the energy industry. But
after 25 years of effort, the most plausible
explanation for the lack of unequivocal
evidence must surely be that cold fusion
simply doesn’t work. RMWhat happens to the debris released by a comet?
The gas and dust that is released
by passing comets generally remains
in orbit around the Sun, forming a trail
of debris dispersed along the comet’s
orbit. If during its annual journey aroundthe Sun the Earth then happens to cross
such a debris trail, we may experience
a spectacular shower of meteors, or
‘shooting stars’, as the debris enters the
Earth’s atmosphere. Notable examplesof meteor showers include the Perseids
in August and the Leonids in November.
These are associated with debris from
comets 109P/Swift-Tuttle and 55P/
Tempel-Tuttle, respectively. AGComet debris is the cause of
most meteor showersStanley Pons at work in his laboratory in 1993. His claim of
having achieved cold fusion is disputed by many scientistsd to cold fusion?
Most scientists concluded the positive
esults were due to faulty measurements,
nd abandoned cold fusion research.
Some have continued to pursue the
dea, however. In 2011, researchers in
aly claimed to have built a cold fusion-
powered device called the Energy
Catalyser that produced over 30 times
more power than it consumed. But the
esults have yet to be published in a
cientific journal, let alone replicated.
Some may argue this is because of
eliberate suppression by the scientific
ommunity or the energy industry. But
fter 25 years of effort, the most plausible
xplanation for the lack of unequivocal
id t l b th t ld f i