Re:Cold Fusion

[Rodney Bauman <rodney_bauman@wssrap-host.wssrap.com>]

RadSafers:

I was an undergrad at Georgia Tech when the cold fusion hysteria hit.  During
initial testing of the cold fusion technique, Ga Tech erroneously validated the
claims as being legitimate.  From what I understand (which isn't much), the
neutron monitor used in the validation process employed a heat-sensitive BF3
detector.  Upon observing clicks on the neutron monitor, the experimenters got a
little caught up in the moment and shouted, "neutrons!"  By the time they
realized that they were only detecting heat from the exothermic chemical
reaction, it was too late - the press was already out.

I remember somebody involved being quoted in the press saying something like,
"It was like being around when fire was first discovered."  Of course, the "cold
fusion" rendered no neutrons, just heat.  And that is where it all ended.

Go Jackets!!!

Rodney Bauman, CHP, RRPT
rodney_bauman@wssrap-host.wssrap.com

"Everybody's private motto: It's better to be popular than right" - Mark Twain

____________________Reply Separator____________________
Subject:    Cold Fusion 
Author: <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
Date:       08/15/2000 9:44 AM

Group,

Just what was the verdict on cold fusion?  I got the impression that the
bulk of that branch of the scientific community felt it was sloppy
technique.  But information just kind of receded into the back ground, I
assume as the efforts to replicate the experiments failed.

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