Use of CR-39 Detectors Heats up "Cold Fusion"

Discussion in 'General Science & Technology' started by erich_knight, Nov 11, 2006.

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  1. erich_knight Erich J. Knight Registered Senior Member

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    The Navy Heats up "Cold Fusion" with Use of CR-39 Detectors in LENR Experiment:

    Extraordinary Evidence - "Cold Fusion"

    The field of low energy nuclear reactions, historically known as cold fusion, has never had simple physical evidence of the claimed nuclear processes to physically place in the hands of doubters.

    Until now.

    Scientists at the U.S. Navy’s San Diego SPAWAR Systems Center have produced something unique in the 17-year history of the scientific drama historically known as cold fusion: simple, portable, highly repeatable, unambiguous, and permanent physical evidence of nuclear events using detectors that have a long track record of reliability and acceptance among nuclear physicists.

    Using a unique experimental method called co-deposition, combined with the application of external electric and magnetic fields, and recording the results with standard nuclear-industry detectors, researchers have produced what may be the most convincing evidence yet in the pursuit of proof of low energy nuclear reactions.

    New Energy Times, issue #19
    "Extraordinary Evidence"
    http://newenergytimes.com/news/2006/NET19.htm#ee
     
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  3. MetaKron Registered Senior Member

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    This Wikipedia article says that typical fusion reactions emit protons and neutrons in the range of about 3 to 18 MEV. The article says that a 32 MEV proton can only travel 10 millimeters in the liquid in the cells. It doesn't seem to say how far a neutron can be expected to travel. Is it likely that the neutrons that they are looking for don't show up because of the shielding factor of the water, the chemicals in the water, and the containers?

    Tragically, as I found out when I was looking up "borosilicate glass", Pyrex is no longer Pyrex, the famous glass that could withstand molten lead being poured into a dish that was sitting on ice. The makers now warn that it can't be used over a flame, etc. That's truly messed up because borosilicate glass is what made the Pyrex name and now it's just cheap soda glass.

    Borosilicate glass is a staple of laboratories everywhere. It is the heat resistant glass that is used in beakers and flasks. I don't know that any glass other than borosilicate glass has ever been used in a cold fusion experiment.

    Most of the readers who have studied the subject already know where this is heading. Boron captures neutrons. Maybe this makes a significant difference. The subject of neutron shielding is fairly complex because trace elements in the moderators of nuclear reactors stop chain reactions by absorbing neutrons. A bit of borax in the heavy water may mean no power tonight. You wouldn't believe how some of the workers at nuclear plants screw around. Does anyone know if borax is strictly forbidden for use around nuclear plants? Boron could be a major source of trouble with the experiments, too, if some of it gets into the electrodes. One of the things that makes nuclear plants so expensive is the purity that is necessary for the working materials.
     
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  5. Walter L. Wagner Cosmic Truth Seeker Valued Senior Member

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    Metakron:

    Thanks for the heads up on "Pyrex"

    Also, please note that U-238 (DU or straight) also gives off high energy electrons (Beta) in addition to the alphas, due to the presence of radiodaughters. These are quite copious. They have not been shown to not be responsible for the tracks in the CR-39; this needs to be cleared up before it is definitive proof.

    The track etch method (pioneered by P Buford Price at Berkeley) works because the plastic (Lexan, CR-39) or other material suffers damages to the bonds in the plastic by charged particles. The plastic itself will slowly dissolve in caustic NaOH or other harsh alkali, but dissolves even faster along the damage. Hence, initially a pin-hole is created along the damage, which is widened by the subsequent slower normal dissolution, leaving behind a conical shaped pit. Alpha particles will leave such etch pits, but so too might beta particles. I'm not familiar enough with CR-39 to know its comparative response. That needs to be discussed in the article, in order to eliminate that as a possibility.

    Neutrons travel far distances (cm to m) in most materials, simply bouncing off the nuclei; in a few such as boron they are readily absorbed into the Boron nucleus.

    Regards,



    Walter
     
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  7. spidergoat pubic diorama Valued Senior Member

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    Perhaps the effects seen start as imperfections in the original plastic detectors.
     
  8. MetaKron Registered Senior Member

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    Walter, there was no U-238 in the cells being tested. That would show that the tracks did not come from U-238, and there were too many for such a low intensity source. High energy electrons aren't going to come from just charging up the electrodes or exposing them to high voltages.

    That hypothetical hydronium might explain a particle that cannot make it far in a cold fusion cell.
     
  9. Steven Krivit Registered Member

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    Hi Metakron,

    The SPAWAR researchers were not looking for neutrons at this time, only charged particles.

    Hi Walter,

    That's a good question about dissolving. I believe we will have a reply to a similar question posted on our FAQ (http://www.thegalileoproject.org/FAQ.htm) within a few days.

    Thanks for your interest and good questions.

    Steven Krivit
    Editor, New Energy Times
    http://www.newenergytimes.com
     
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