Researchers solve the 35 -year -old merging puzzle with a bench reactor

Fusion is always 10 years away, apparently. To accelerate the development, some scientists have turned into the possibility of cold fusion – a virtual technique that seeks to achieve fusion at room temperature with simpler machines. Needless to say, no one has achieved this outstanding goal, but a team of chemists believe that they are approaching.

A paper published today in nature Thunderbird serves: Almost particle accelerator the size of the beer refrigerator. The seat reactor works on plasma science to integrate dotirium-hydrogen ions-to operate nuclear fusion. By employing an electrochemical cell to produce “fuel” simultaneously, the team strengthened 15 % fusion rates, according to the paper. It is the first real demonstration of a “reliable link” between electrical chemistry and integration science – an idea that was presented and then rejected 35 years ago, and it is the author of the senior study Cortis Berlinjuet Tell Gizmodo in a video call.

Berlinjout, a specialized chemist added Carbon removal At the University of Colombia (UBC) in Canada. He said that ambition is to “explore unknown science”, in the hope of making the engineering side of integration research “much easier to expand (to) translating this technology much faster and easier.”

Contracting Thunderbird, low -budget fusion reactor

Thunderbird consists of three main parts. First, the plasma gas loaded with diotyrium gas weakens the gas, which sends the dotirium ions towards a metal target with iddium. Over time, palladium is filled with ions of dotirium, and eventually collides with each other. Berlinjout explained that the interaction leads to an event of integration and release of neutrons, which works as a “solid nuclear signature”, indicating that the fusion has already happened.

More importantly, the electrochemical cell is located on the other side. When this cell is operated, heavy water molecules are divided to produce and supply dietyrium ions into the target of palladium – which raises the fuel density in the reactor, and as a result, the possibility of the success of the fusion.

No cold merger miracles, but they are still progressing

Thunderbird does not depend on tritium, A rare and free counterpart It is commonly used with dotirium for fusion experiences. However, the team that stands behind the Thunderbird does not demand any power miracles, nor is it anywhere close to replacing what is already exist. In principle, it makes sense to use tritium to increase the possibility of fusion events.

Perlingwitte explained that Thunderred was designed “only to look at (fusion reactions) from a completely different perspective from ever,” noting that there is a long-term controversy in the field about the effectiveness of the nuclear fusion electrochemical methods-a discussion due to the potential of cold fusion.

He said: “What we have done is to provide a repeated experimental verification that explains how we can use electrical chemistry to increase nuclear fusion rates.” Accordingly, the focus of the paper was to determine whether the presence of the electrochemical cell produced by the domaium will significantly affect nuclear fusion rates.

“This experience shows that it is clear that the answer is yes,” said Berlinjuet.

Secondary products for nuclear fusion

“These are exciting improvements, but the energy-saving nuclear fusion is still a challenge,” wrote Amy McChyun-Jerene and Jennifer Dion, researchers in Stanford not involved in the new work, in an article accompanying news and opinions. The use of electrical chemistry to improve fusion rates is a “great improvement”, but it is important to note that “although electrical chemistry was used to prepare the target, it does not produce fusion in itself – decisive discrimination, given the early history of the field.”

However, MCKEOWN-Green and Dionne agree with Berlinguette that Thunderbird’s approach provides saved opportunities for “a more widespread achievement in the low-energy fusion of accessible nuclear reactors.”

But Thunderbird has provided unexpected applications for non -fair research. For example, the techniques they used can be useful for engineers who work with highly connected minerals, and there may also be the possibility of medical applications in stabilized travel medications. Once again, we will have to see, but this last work shows the power of multidisciplinary methods for long -term problems.

“I really think it is to achieve major breakthroughs, you want to bring people from different fields,” Berlinjuweth added. “I hope this reactor will help achieve this.”

Grant, the fusion may still be 10 years. It may also be 10 years after that. However, the most common thing for me is the extent of the wonderful science that branches from these different attempts to fusion (Call me biased, but seriouslyand Scientists come with all kinds of sick things). So, if Fusion News makes you feel comfortable or inconvenient, the celebration may be progressing so far as an acceptable treatment.