Cold Fusion
This was a really freaky article:
https://www.quantamagazine.org/is-there-anything-left-in-the-dream-of-cold-fusion-20261102/
I'd never considered the concept of replacing electrons orbiting an atom's nucleus with heavier negatively charged particles like a muon (200 times the mass of an electron) or even an anti-proton (1800 times the mass of an electron). If done with hydrogen the resulting atoms are much smaller (and apparently not very stable). They can be used to fuse with regular hydrogen at normal temperatures and pressures, thus the "real" cold fusion is also known as muon-catalyzed fusion. This isn't of immediate practical benefit but it is interesting.
The 1989 publicity extravaganza and subsequent deflation of cold fusion sorta poisoned the field. Cold fusion was the Theranos of it's day:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_fusion
This brought to mind the old TV show: Fringe :) As I recall the show was on Fox, channel 11 in the Green Bay area. But I kinda lost interest - it was really complicated and unclear - this video explains things up to season 4:
source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-xXosVJHXc
But really, it's the thing my Dad used to detest: a soap opera ! the continuing story of photogenic and interesting people who although portrayed as intelligent and good, never resolve anything ! :)
Best Regards,
Chuck, WB9KZY
http://wb9kzy.com/ham.htm
https://www.quantamagazine.org/is-there-anything-left-in-the-dream-of-cold-fusion-20261102/
I'd never considered the concept of replacing electrons orbiting an atom's nucleus with heavier negatively charged particles like a muon (200 times the mass of an electron) or even an anti-proton (1800 times the mass of an electron). If done with hydrogen the resulting atoms are much smaller (and apparently not very stable). They can be used to fuse with regular hydrogen at normal temperatures and pressures, thus the "real" cold fusion is also known as muon-catalyzed fusion. This isn't of immediate practical benefit but it is interesting.
The 1989 publicity extravaganza and subsequent deflation of cold fusion sorta poisoned the field. Cold fusion was the Theranos of it's day:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_fusion
This brought to mind the old TV show: Fringe :) As I recall the show was on Fox, channel 11 in the Green Bay area. But I kinda lost interest - it was really complicated and unclear - this video explains things up to season 4:
source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-xXosVJHXc
But really, it's the thing my Dad used to detest: a soap opera ! the continuing story of photogenic and interesting people who although portrayed as intelligent and good, never resolve anything ! :)
Best Regards,
Chuck, WB9KZY
http://wb9kzy.com/ham.htm
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