I have been pondering the energy release mechanisms associated with LENR
reactions extensively. For a long time I experienced mental block regarding
locating where the energy went that was required to overcome the coulomb
barrier during the addition of a proton to a nickel nucleus in a reaction of
the nature that Rossi has suggested for the ECAT. I think that I have found a
resolution to that block, but there are still issues to settle. I have found a
little helper that is in the form of a demon that reveals some interesting
insight.
My helper demon consists of a very tiny micrometer that has instrumentation
attached that can accurately measure distance moved and forces applied between
a single proton and a nickel nucleus. Energy can be applied or extracted by
means of the adjusting screw and it can operate at a very slow rate including
static movements and measurements.
Since both the nucleus and the proton are firmly connected to my device, there
is no free motion allowed among them that cannot be controlled. This prevents
the nucleus or proton from bounding away when the forces become extreme between
the two.
Behavior of my mental experimental device begins with a proton removed a long
distance from the nucleus such that the force measured on my demon is virtually
zero. As I turn the screw the proton approaches the nucleus and the force
measured between is mostly coulomb since it operates over vast distances as
compared to the strong force. Very tiny amounts of electromagnetic energy are
released since the motion is extremely slow for the test. The energy applied
by me to the screw is ramping up according to the integrated product of the
force and distance as the proton is forced toward the nucleus. The force is
proportional to the inverse second power of the distance so that I get the
usual voltage reading versus displacement as the distance is reduced toward
zero.
The force begins to increase strongly as the two elements approach each other
and thus the voltage rapidly increases. This process is continued as the force
becomes ever stronger resisting the motion and I continue to apply energy to
the system until a point is reached where the strong force equals the magnitude
of the electric coulomb force and a static no force point is reached. From
this point forth the force reverses and my demon now must resist a force that
draws the two parts together ever stronger with distance.
Under this condition, energy must be absorbed by my screw action and a point
will soon be reached where all of the coulomb energy I entered earlier has been
returned. Now, I find that I must take energy from the system at an ever more
rapid gradient with distance due to the overpowering strong force pulling on
the proton. Eventually the proton reaches a stable position within the nickel
nucleus and the force action upon it is reduced to zero and my demon can relax.
Now when the net energy associated with the above movements is determined I
hypothesize that the value is the calculated reduction in mass of the system
consisting of the nickel atom, a proton and an electron that makes the new
copper atom complete. When nickel 62 is subjected to this action I arrive at
copper 63 which is a stable element and 6.12232 MeV of energy have been
absorbed by the demon.
The most important aspect of this procedure is that all of the energy can be
released in the form of mechanical energy and there is no release of gamma
radiation whatsoever. The mass loss associated with binding energy is
converted entirely into a safe form that cannot be detected by a radiation
detection device. I contend that this might explain why LENR reactions of some
types behave in this manner.
Of course a demon of this nature is not going to be available, but perhaps the
implication is that all we require is a strong coupling mechanism that retards
the motion of the proton as it makes it path into the nucleus of the target
atom. The electric fields associated with the electron cloud could be a
factor, as could other electromagnetic couplings. Of course, the nucleus
itself would tend to slow down any proton heading in its direction until the
strong force intervenes. There is theory of strong interactions among
electrons that result in heavy electrons, why not give consideration to the
same type of activity related to protons? A heavy proton would most likely
radiate energy at a much lower rate than a lone proton as it is accelerated by
the strong force.
I have been searching for any type of mechanism that would reduce the high
energy radiation associated with nuclear reactions and maybe this can be
achieved since my demon suggests that a retardation effect would allow the
exact same amount of energy to be released over a longer period of time and
thus at lower frequencies.
The demon also works on neutrons as they are sucked in by a nearby nucleus.
The main problem is to locate a mechanism that can retard neutrons as they are
accelerated by the strong force. Perhaps others are aware a coupling mechanism
between neutrons and nearby atoms or each other that would perform this
function. If there is no way to slow them down then I suspect that it will be
impossible to eliminate the gamma radiation at the source.
This proposed mechanism appears to give a reaction such as the one proposed by
Mr. Rossi an advantage as compared to the W&L process with respect to gamma
radiation release. I also note that Rossi claims to be using nickel 62 and
nickel 64 which each are transformed into stable copper atoms that do not
undergo beta plus radiation. The lack of beta plus radiation prevents him from
loosing energy due to neutrino escape and the dangerous levels of 511 keV
gammas associated with the positron-electron annihilation. Some of the puzzle
pieces seem to fit nicely into place.
I do not know whether or not this hypothesis has already been suggested by
others and it would not surprise me if that is the case but it is original to
me. I derived my ideas based upon research upon a nuclide chart and a detailed
search for the missing coulomb barrier energy coupled with my tendency to look
at systems and problems from a simplistic point of view. I know the quantum
boys will be unhappy to entertain any mechanism that is not of a very
probabilistic nature, but it does not do harm to attempt to make a process
accessible to the classic concepts.
Dave
