Legitimate Cold Fusion Exists | Muon-Catalyzed Fusion

This video is about the original cold fusion: μ muon-catalyzed cold fusion of deuterium, tritium, hydrogen, into helium-3 and helium 4. The problems with it are the half-life of muons and the sticking of muons to alpha particles. Also involved are neutrons, protons, break-even, etc. This has nothing to do with fusion by capture in palladium electrodes.

REFERENCES:

The original papers: L.W. Alvarez 1957, F.C. Frank 1947, and J.D. Jackson 1957

A History of Muon Catalyzed “Cold” Fusion

Fusion rates

Cold Fusion

Muon Facilitated Fusion

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Minute Physics provides an energetic and entertaining view of old and new problems in physics -- all in a minute!

Created by Henry Reich

[MarkBrowning]

I'm a fracking nuclear engineer and I've never heard of muon catalysed fusion! This is amazing!

[gevmage]

This is brilliant. I worked on a muon-catalyzed fusion experiment as an undergrad in 1994. It was an experiment that had been going on for a while at TRIUMF in Vancouver.

Both the explanations and the rendering are absolutely perfect, and are exactly how I would have done this video but far better.

Thanks!

[quahntasy]

Minutephysics is back with muons. Long time no see, sixminutephysics.

[Platyfurmany]

Muon-catalyzed fusion was a favorite tool for Arthur C. Clarke in the space drives of several of his more famous novels.

[afwaller]

Imagine replacing all your electrons with muons. All your atoms would be around 200 times smaller! Interestingly, ants are also about 200x smaller than humans - with an average ant clocking in at around 10mm, and a human closer to 2m. This would make you a sort of ant-man. I think there’s a possibility for a movie here, it might be a fun story to explore.

[TheFroggynator]

That bass note after "It's not going to power the world anytime soon" is absolutely perfect.

[dougr.]

Muon induced fusion was mentioned by Arthur C. Clarke in “2061: odyssey three” in the “Addendum” Oct. 1987, referencing a Scientific American article by Sakharov. My graduate school colleague, Dr. Scott Chubb (deceased) organized “cold Fusion” seminars in the US

[RG-ztcn]

I'm sad that all of the interesting exotic particles and types of matter that scientists discover have a lifespan of few microseconds. It seems the universe really doesn't want us to have unobtainium armor :(

[PajamaMan]

I guess we just have to muon and try something else

[ggeasy]

He said Angular Momentum, not spin. Love it!

[wichjr]

So glad these aren't just a minute anymore

[electronicsNmore]

I remember all this "Cold Fusion" talk back in the late 80's - early 90's.

[TheFrostDrake]

Sounds like we need more efficient particle accelerators

[davidhanson]

I really like the breakdown of what 3 possible ways to overcome this are. You make it sound like it is quite forward, but of course each possible way is difficult in itself.

[professordanfurmanek]

Outstanding and wonderfully explained! Also very inspirational for further muon research!
Not only for energy production but also for space propulsion systems. A catalyzed muon drive is indeed a very promising engine!

[mediawolf]

1. Wow, never knew that.
2. That one graph with snow, the earth and the sun along the x axis, is my new favorite Edward R. Tufte-esque diagram. Visually conveys the concept being discussed in a simple compelling way.

[RamiShreds]

Perfectly explained. You should consider starting a science podcast.

[TechNed]

It's great how you explain the complexities, scribble on the whiteboard AND play the bass, all at the same time.

[BioniclesaurKingt]

Now show me the numbers for tau-aided fusion.

[johncassuri]

I just don't understand why there are over 300 dislikes, it's simple, precise and easy to understand even to people who don't like much physics, nice job