Cold Fusion Research Articles

Could new isotopes of superheavies with Z=112–118 be produced in 48Ca-induced cold fusion reactions?

The excitation functions of the production of new heaviest isotopes of superheavy nuclei with charge numbers 112–118 are predicted in the 1n− and 2n−evaporation channels of the 48Ca-induced actinide-based complete fusion reactions for future experiments.

TDHF and a Macroscopic Aspect of Low-Energy Nuclear Reactions

Time-dependent Hartree--Fock (TDHF) method has been applied to various low-energy nuclear reactions, such as fusion, fission, and multinucleon transfer reactions. In this Mini Review, we summarize recent attempts to bridge a microscopic nuclear reaction theory, TDHF, and a macroscopic aspect of nuclear reactions through nucleus--nucleus potentials and energy dissipation from macroscopic degrees of freedom to microscopic ones obtained from TDHF in various colliding systems from light to heavy mass regions.

On a Possible Wave Mechanism for an Increase in the Yields of Low-Energy Nuclear Reactions in Crystal Structures

The possibility of using one of the properties of wave propagation in periodic structures is considered to explain the known effect of an increase in the yields of nuclear DD reactions in crystalline films. The effect is observed under the bombardment of deuterated metal foil targets with an oxide film by low-energy deuterons (less than 100 keV) in the majority of metals: the yield increases many times as compared with the expected yield when extrapolating the data obtained for high-energy deuterons. Proceeding from the analogy between equations describing the propagation of a light wave in a photonic crystal and that of a particle in a crystal, the conclusion that the properties of the wave functions of particles in a crystal and of the light field in a photonic crystal are analogous is drawn. Forbidden bands with transparency windows can exist in the spectrum of the particles; their properties are also analogous to those of the windows in a photonic crystal. The amplitude of the wave function of a massive particle incident on a crystal can increase in them, which must be taken into account when considering the increase in the yields of nuclear reactions with the participation of moving particles.

Collective Inertial Masses in Nuclear Reactions

Towards the microscopic theoretical description for large amplitude collective dynamics, we calculate the coefficients of inertial masses for low-energy nuclear reactions. Under the scheme of energy density functional, we apply the adiabatic self-consistent collective coordinate (ASCC) method, as well as the Inglis' cranking formula to calculate the inertias for the translational and the relative motions, in addition to those for the rotational motion. Taking the scattering between two $\alpha$ particles as an example, we investigate the impact of the time-odd components of the mean-field potential on the collective inertial masses. The ASCC method asymptotically reproduces the exact masses for both the relative and translational motions. On the other hand, the cranking formula fails to do so when the time-odd components exist.

From cold fusion to cold storage: A comparative case study of how organizational champions caused two scientific megaprojects to fail

ABSTRACT“Big science” has prompted scientific collaboration, ultimately leading to multidisciplinary, co-operative science. This has paved the way for organizational “champions”, leading experts with the ability of driving organizational change. This study investigates the involvement of how “champions” contributed to the rapid failures of the 1980s case of the cold fusion initiative NCFI in Utah, and the 2000s case of BBMRI.se, the Swedish node of a biobank harmonization initiative, and how these two examples would become “failed scientific megaprojects”. This descriptive comparative case study has utilized available literature and documents covering the two megaprojects, with some supplemental interviews. The study shows that “champions” indeed enable research but simultaneously also risk becoming the downfall of the collaborative endeavors that have been set up. Moreover, this study has been able to uncover and analyze some of the most common types of organizational failure found in the two failed scientific megaprojects investigated. The common lesson inferred from both cases is that the unquestionable trust placed into some of the “champions” led to a lack of procedural transparency and professional candidness, ultimately leading to a loss of trust from their respective funding bodies.

Status of CRYRING@ESR and preparations for first experiments

SynopsisCRYRING was moved from Stockholm to Darmstadt, modernized and integrated into the GSI/FAIR beamline topology behind ESR. As CRYRING@ESR, it will receive and store heavy, highly charged ions from all species the present accelerator chain is capable of producing. An extensive research program on low-energy atomic collisions, spectroscopy and nuclear reactions was proposed. The facility is gradually completing commissioning, ion beams from the local injector branch have already been stored and prototype experiments performed. We present the machine status and highlight some planned experiments.

Pairing Dynamics in Low-energy Nuclear Collisions

Superfluidity is a generic feature of various quantum systems at low temperatures and it is in particular important for the description of dynamics of low energy nuclear reactions. The time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) is, to date, the only microscopic method which takes into account in a consistent way far from equilibrium dynamics of pairing field and single-particle degrees of freedom. The local version of TDDFT, so called TDSLDA, is particularly useful for the description of nuclear reactions and is well suited for leadership class computers of hybrid (CPU+GPU) architecture. The preliminary results obtained for collisions involving both medium-mass and heavy nuclei at the energies around the Coulomb barrier are presented.

Novel Consequences of Coexistence of Matter and Antimatter in Nature

In the present letter we discuss novel possible applications and implications of the formation of exotic atomic and molecular structures composed of particles and antiparticles. Particularly, we argue that huge amount of energy could be produced as a result of matter-antimatter cold fusion. Crucial questions raised concerning the fate of particles and antiparticles produced by the big bang are addressed. Assumptions of possible existence of two kinds of gravity and masses of different signs are proposed.

An increase in the 12C+12C fusion rate from resonances at astrophysical energies

Carbon burning powers pivotal scenarios that influence the fate of stars, such as the late evolutionary stages of massive stars (exceeding eight solar masses), superbursts from accreting neutron stars and progenitors of Type Ia supernovae. It proceeds through the 12C+12C fusion reactions that produce an \( \alpha \) particle and neon-20 or a proton and sodium-23 —that is, 12C(12C, \( \alpha \) )20Ne and 12C(12C, \( p \))23Na— at temperatures greater than \( 0.4 \cdot 10^9 \) K, corresponding to astrophysical energies exceeding a megaelectronvolt (MeV), at which such nuclear reactions are more likely to occur in stars. The cross-sections for those carbon fusion reactions (probabilities that are required to calculate the rate of the reactions) have never been measured below 2 MeV because of exponential suppression arising from the Coulomb barrier (the Coulomb barrier is around 6 MeV). The reference rate at temperatures below \( 1.2\cdot 10^9 \) K relies on extrapolations that ignore the effects of possible low-lying resonances. In Tumino et al. (2018), we report the measurement of the 12C(12C, \( \alpha_{0,1} \)) 20Ne and 12C(12C, \( p_{0,1} \)) 23Na reaction rates (where the subscripts 0 and 1 stand for the ground and first excited states of 20Ne and 23Na, respectively) at centre-of-mass energies from 2.7 to 0.8 MeV using the Trojan Horse method and the deuteron in 14N. This is an indirect technique aiming at measuring low-energy nuclear reactions unhindered by the Coulomb barrier and free of electron screening. The deduced cross-sections exhibit several resonances that are responsible for a very large increase of the reaction rate at the relevant temperatures. In particular, around \( 5\cdot 10^8 \) K, the reaction rate is more than 25 times larger than the reference value. This finding may have significant implications such as lowering the temperatures and densities required for the ignition of carbon burning in massive stars and decreasing the superburst ignition depth in accreting neutron stars in the direction to reconcile observations with theoretical models.

A Tribute to Richard M. Crooks on the Occasion of His 65th Birthday

A Tribute to Richard M. Crooks on the Occasion of His 65th Birthday

Analysis of 113In(α,n)[formula omitted]Sb reaction at astrophysically interesting center-of-mass energies and synthesis of 117Sb⁎ within the Dynamical Cluster-decay Model

The Quantum Mechanical Fragmentation Theory (QMFT)-based Dynamical Cluster-decay Model (DCM) analysis of compound nucleus (CN) 117Sb⁎, formed in 4He+113In reaction is done at some astrophysically important energies, which is found to decay via 1n-emission to ground state (g.s.) and metastable state (m.s.) of 116Sb. It is for the first time DCM has been applied to analyze decays to metastable states in a “cold fusion” reaction. The DCM cross sections σ1n are calculated at various astrophysically relevant center-of-mass energies (Ec.m.=9.66–13.64 MeV) corresponding to available experimental data for α-induced reaction with the odd-Z, proton-rich (p-) nuclide 113In, measured with the activation method where, in addition to the radioactive alpha-capture (α,γ), some other reaction channels such as (α,n) and (α,p) of the same isotope can be measured at the same time. The only parameter of DCM is the neck-length parameter ΔR, that is optimized to best fit the experimental data for g.s. to g.s. and g.s. to m.s. decay of 117Sb⁎ CN and predict the cross sections for evaporation-residue (ER), intermediate mass fragments (IMFs) and fusion-fission (ff) fragments. For a best fit to the experimentally observed σ1n (ground and metastable states), we find that, ΔR-values vary smoothly with CN excitation energy ECN⁎ and thus is useful for making predictions at energies where experimental data is unavailable. Possible synthesis of this medically important radionuclide 117Sb⁎ is also studied via all the possible “cold” target-projectile (t–p) combinations, identifying 6Li+111Cd as the best possibility.

About cold fusion possibilities in frame of the waveguide-resonance propagation of radiation fluxes

The work proposes the original possible approach for the nuclear synthesis execution on base of radiation fluxes waveguide-resonance propagation phenomenon consequences. The experimental data set obtained in frame of quasimonochromatical X-ray radiation fluxes early and the corpuscle-wave dualism conception allowed for us to suggest the principle solution of cold fusion problem going round the Coulomb barrier impeding to nuclear interaction. Short characteristics of radiation fluxes waveguide-resonance propagation phenomenon and its consequence connected with independent radiation fluxes interaction through mutual influence of radiation standing waves uniform interference fields excited by these fluxes are presented.

Materials advances result from study of cold fusion

Materials advances result from study of cold fusion

Low energy nuclear fusion observation due to dineutron formation in the [formula omitted] nuclear reaction

Low energy nuclear fusion reactions (LENFR) are considered at possible occurrence owing to dineutron formation in the outgoing channel of a neutron induced nuclear reaction on Tb159. Due to dineutron presence and disintegration, the dineutron or it's decay products may interact with Tb158 nuclei to transform them into Tb160 or directly to Dy160. We assumed that accumulation of Tb160/160Dy activity results from weak-strong or purely strong processes via nuclear reactions at room temperature. The theoretical estimates, experimental measurements and observations of terbium sample radioactivity versus time are presented and discussed to prove a transformation of Tb158 into Tb160/160Dy, showing the surplus difference between accumulated and expected activity of Tb160/160Dy in more than 5 times after 2.5 years since irradiation completion.

Skyrme forces and isotopic dependence of evaporation residue cross-section in the decay of 252,254−256No∗ formed in 204,206,207,208Pb+48Ca reactions

The fusion evaporation residue (ER) cross-sections [Formula: see text] for the decay of compound nucleus (CN) [Formula: see text]No[Formula: see text] via 1[Formula: see text]–4[Formula: see text] decay channels, synthesized in [Formula: see text]Pb[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]Ca reaction, are studied, including deformations [Formula: see text] for cold-optimum orientations [Formula: see text] at various [Formula: see text]Ca excitation energies of [Formula: see text] to 45[Formula: see text]MeV. For the nuclear interaction potentials, we use the Skyrme energy density functional (SEDF)-based on semi-classical extended Thomas Fermi (ETF) approach under frozen density approximation on our earlier study of fusion ER cross-section for the decay of [Formula: see text]No[Formula: see text], via 1[Formula: see text]–4[Formula: see text] decay channels synthesized in [Formula: see text]Pb[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]Ca reaction based on the Dynamical cluster-decay model (DCM) using the pocket formula for nuclear proximity potential in which the above reaction was investigated by using hot-optimum orientations. In this work the above reaction has been investigated in two parts, in the first part, [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]MeV is used for cold elongated configurations and in the second part, [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]MeV is used for hot compact configurations. The Skyrme forces used here are the old SIII, and new GSkI and KDE0(v1) given for both normal and isospin-rich nuclei, with densities added in frozen density approximation. Interestingly, independent of the Skyrme force used, the DCM gives an excellent fit within one-parameter fitting of [Formula: see text] to the measured data on fusion ER for cold fusion. Of all the three Pb-isotopes and three [Formula: see text] considered, at each [Formula: see text], the [Formula: see text] is largest for compound system with mass numbers 256 and 254, and smallest for 252, which means that the neutrons emission occur earliest for 256, then 255 followed by 254 and finally for 252, in complete agreement with experimental data. The possible fusion–fission (ff) and quasi-fission (qf) mass-regions of fragments on DCM are also predicted. The DCM with Skyrme forces is further used to look for all the possible target-projectile ([Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text]) combinations forming the “cold” CN [Formula: see text]No[Formula: see text] at the CN excitation energy of [Formula: see text] for “optimum cold” configurations. The fusion ER cross-sections, for the proposed new reactions in synthesizing the CN [Formula: see text]No[Formula: see text], are also estimated for the future experiments.

Dynamical Approach for Synthesis of Superheavy Elements: Fusion Mechanism and Nuclear Structure

To synthesis of superheavy elements, the shell structure is very important not only in the stability of nuclei, but also the fusion process, especially the cold fusion reaction. We employ the Langevin equation with the microscopic transport coefficients and calculate the fusion cross section for the reaction 70 Zn+ 208 Pb→ 278 Cn. In the dynamical process, the effect of nuclear structure is discussed.

Online Booking Systems for Managing Queues at The Road Transport Department

In Malaysia, the Road Transport Department (RTD) is one of the public sectors facing the issue of having excessive waiting times at their service counter. Various alternatives have been proposed to address this problem, such as implementing an e-government service via the official RTD portal and creating other units so that the demand can be segregated, which also involves the creation of other agencies including myEG and UTC. However, the problem has persisted and has even become one of the most urgent policy issues that plague the RTD. Thus, this study aims to propose an online system that will help manage queue during the service and therefore optimise the waiting time. Several methods were employed to achieve the objectives, including conducting semi-structure interview, observation, and time study at RTD Bukit Katil, Melaka, developing the online system with Adobe Dream Weaver, Oracle SQL Developer software, and Adobe Cold Fusion, and validating and verifying the system using usability studies and questionnaires. The first online system involves an online queue number booking system. With this developed system, clients can use an online system to book their queue number. Furthermore, this system provides clients with the duration of the waiting time so that they can be present at the counter in time before their assigned service. The second proposal involves utilising an online queue booking system. With this system, clients can book their appointment according to the specific time with the RTD staff. This system also makes it possible for the client to come and to be serviced on time. This system aims to optimise the waiting time at the RTD, improve customer satisfaction, and serve as a reference for other government agencies so that their services can be improved

Mechanisms Suppressing Superheavy Element Yields in Cold Fusion Reactions.

Superheavy elements are formed in fusion reactions which are hindered by fast nonequilibrium processes. To quantify these, mass-angle distributions and cross sections have been measured, at beam energies from below-barrier to 25% above, for the reactions of ^{48}Ca, ^{50}Ti, and ^{54}Cr with ^{208}Pb. Moving from ^{48}Ca to ^{54}Cr leads to a drastic fall in the symmetric fission yield, which is reflected in the measured mass-angle distribution by the presence of competing fast nonequilibrium deep inelastic and quasifission processes. These are responsible for reduction of the compound nucleus formation probablity P_{CN} (as measured by the symmetric-peaked fission cross section), by a factor of 2.5 for ^{50}Ti and 15 for ^{54}Cr in comparison to ^{48}Ca. The energy dependence of P_{CN} indicates that cold fusion reactions (involving ^{208}Pb) are not driven by a diffusion process.

Features of Correlated States and a Mechanism of Self-Similar Selection of Nuclear Reaction Channels Involving Low-Energy Charged Particles

Features of the Robertson–Schrodinger coordinate–momentum and energy–time uncertainty relations and connection between them have been considered. A method has been proposed to determine the duration of giant energy fluctuations of particles in a correlated coherent state. This method makes it possible to justify both a huge (many orders of magnitude) increase in the probability of the tunnel effect with the subsequent low-energy nuclear reaction and the automatic selection of low-energy reaction channels involving charged particles and the exclusion of the production of radioactive daughter isotopes. It has been shown that the same mechanism of formation of correlated coherent states explains a very significant suppression of gamma radiation observed in such reactions stimulated by the virtual energy as compared to similar reactions proceeding at a high “real” energy of particles.

Podcast: Cold fusion, gender parity in universities, and studying wildfires

Podcast: Cold fusion, gender parity in universities, and studying wildfires