Electrochemically induced nuclear fusion of deuterium; The existence of negatively charged deuteride ions

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1990 · Fusion Technology; (United States)

OSTI ID:5005932

Jorne, J ^[1]

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1. Rochester Univ., NY (United States). Dept. of Chemical Engineering

In this paper cold fusion of deuterium by electrolysis of heavy water onto a palladium (or titanium) cathode is reported. Contrary to the assumption of Fleishmann and Pons that electrochemically compressed D{sup +} exists inside the palladium cathode, the observations of Jones et al. can be partially explained by the simultaneous presence of deuteride D{sup {minus}} and the highly mobile positive deuterium ion D{sup +}. The opposite charges reduce the intranuclear distance and enhance the tunneling fusion rate. Furthermore, alloying of lithium with palladium can stabilize a negatively charged deuteride ion due to the salinelike character of lithium deuteride. The enormous pressure (or fugacity), achieved by the applied electrochemical potential (10{sup 30} atm), is a virtual pressure that would have existed in equilibrium with palladium deuteride (PdD{sub x}). It is speculated that nuclear fusion occurs at the surface, and the PdD{sub x} serves as a reservoir for the supply of deuteride ions.

• OSTI ID: 5005932
• Journal Information: Fusion Technology; (United States), Journal Name: Fusion Technology; (United States) Vol. 18:3; ISSN 0748-1896; ISSN FUSTE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400400 -- Electrochemistry
640302 -- Atomic
Molecular & Chemical Physics-- Atomic & Molecular Properties & Theory
651220* -- Nuclear Properties & Reactions
A=1-5
Experimental
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700000 -- Fusion Energy
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS
74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
CATHODES
CHARGED PARTICLES
COLD PLASMA
DEUTERIDES
DEUTERIUM
DEUTERIUM COMPOUNDS
DEUTERIUM IONS
ELECTRODES
ELECTROLYSIS
ELEMENTS
HEAVY WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN ISOTOPES
IONS
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
LYSIS
METALS
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
NUCLEI
NUCLEOSYNTHESIS
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PALLADIUM
PLASMA
PLATINUM METALS
STABLE ISOTOPES
SYNTHESIS
THERMONUCLEAR REACTIONS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
WATER