Fusions, hot and Cold

Most recent answer: 12/09/2009

Q:
I've heard that cold fusion is dead as a science, but that some scientists have been trying to advance the idea. have there been any recent develompments in cold fusion, and is normal fusion viable
- Wesley McClintock (age 13)
fort collins co
A:
There are very strong basic reasons why the sorts of cold fusion which have been proposed won't work. We haven't heard of any reason to think otherwise.

Hot fusion of course continues to be essential when it occurs on the sun and dangerous when it occurs in hydrogen bombs. It's an open question whether controlled hot fusion on earth can be used as a power source. It certainly won't happen very soon, since the technical challenges remain huge.

Mike W.

(published on 12/09/2009)