Updated · Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (.gov) · Jul 23
UC Davis, Berkeley Lab Boost Fusion Rates by a Quintillion at Below 2.5 keV
Updated
Updated · Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (.gov) · Jul 23
UC Davis, Berkeley Lab Boost Fusion Rates by a Quintillion at Below 2.5 keV
3 articles · Updated · Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (.gov) · Jul 23
Summary
Samples loaded with deuterium in palladium and titanium foils produced fusion rates up to roughly a quintillion times higher than bare reactions, with the biggest gains appearing below 2.5 keV.
The experiments showed the boost depended on both the surrounding material and how deuterium was packed into it, challenging the expectation that fusion rates should plunge at those low energies.
Researchers suspect electrons and crystal defects partly shield the repulsive force between deuterium nuclei, potentially making fusion easier inside solids, though the mechanism is still unconfirmed.
The July 18 Nature Communications study frames “materials-driven fusion” as a new research path that could help engineer more compact neutron generators for cargo screening, planetary science, and medical uses.