David Nagel | The George Washington University (original) (raw)

Papers by David Nagel

Physical Review Letters, 1974

Physical Review A, 1992

Observation of density-enhanced dielectronic satellite spectra produced during subpicosecond lase... more Observation of density-enhanced dielectronic satellite spectra produced during subpicosecond laser-matter interactions. A. Zigler, VL Jacobs, DA Newman, PG Burkhalter, and DJ Nagel Condensed Matter and Radiation Sciences ...

MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical Systems) are a new frontier in miniaturization.

Introduction Asking questions is basic to many human functions. Without questions, the learning p... more Introduction Asking questions is basic to many human functions. Without questions, the learning process in schools and universities would be vastly more difficult and less effective. FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) are a standard part of many websites now. The posing of questions is also an activity fundamental to diverse planning activities, ranging from the formulation of programs to the design of cities. And, questions, commonly driven by " mere " curiosity, are the driving force behind science. So, one can ask: what questions are applicable to the field of low energy, or alternatively , lattice-enabled nuclear reactions (LENR)? That is one of the motivations behind this compilation of some questions , which are asked because they seem significant. The answers are largely the opinions of this author. There are many ways to organize a set of questions about LENR. One way is to use the sequence shown in Figure 1. It shows the steps in the progression of a knowledge-prod...

Since then, some of the conferences have also borne that title. ICCF18 retained the historical la... more Since then, some of the conferences have also borne that title. ICCF18 retained the historical label and numbering system, but employed a new conference title: " Applying the Scientific Method to Understanding Anomalous Heat Effects: Opportunities and Challenges. " This conference title emphasized an operational aspect of the research, rather than a name for the field. The focus on scientific methodology and understanding is entirely appropriate at this stage in development of the field. The science remains a vexing and challenging endeavor spanning several disciplines The variety of titles for the ICCF conferences reflects the evolution and present status of the field. Currently, there remain tensions in the field over terminology. This is due to two primary reasons, the first of which is personal and country predilections for various monikers. But, the more basic reason for the variety of names is the persistent lack of understanding of the fundamental mechanisms that pr...

Questions serve to focus discussions of research problems and engineering challenges. This is the... more Questions serve to focus discussions of research problems and engineering challenges. This is the first of three papers, which will pose and address technical ques- tions about Lattice Enabled Nuclear Reactions (LENR). It deals with theoretical mechanisms and key materials in LENR experiments and potential power generators.

Sixty years of research on hot fusion have cost more than $ 20 B. Only one of the dozens of exper... more Sixty years of research on hot fusion have cost more than $ 20 B. Only one of the dozens of experiments has barely reached breakeven, the point at which the energy produced is equal to the energy spent for its production. Twenty years of work on “cold fusion” cost less than $ 0.2 B. Energy amplifications exceeding 10 for the palladium–deuterium system, and more than 100 for the nickel–hydrogen system, have been reported, but not verified. Hot fusion is understood and may result in large power plants in several decades. “Cold fusion”, now called Low-Energy Nuclear Reactions (LENR), remains a scientific mystery. If adequately funded, LENR could lead to safe, non-radioactive, green, small, distributed nuclear energy sources in less than two or three decades, well before hot fusion can produce commercial power. © 2011 ISCMNS. All rights reserved.

During heavy-water electrochemical experiments in the 1980s, Fleischmann and Pons found that more... more During heavy-water electrochemical experiments in the 1980s, Fleischmann and Pons found that more thermal energy came out of their experiments with Pd cathodes than was put in electrically. The excess heat was greater than could be explained by any chemical reactions. Hence, they postulated that the excess energy was due to unexpected nuclear reactions. Now, it is well established experimentally that the amount of excess heat measured in many experiments greatly exceeds what can be attributed to chemistry [1]. For this reason, and also because of numerous reports of nuclear reaction products and energetic radiations, it is widely believed that excess heat is due primarily, and maybe exclusively, to nuclear reactions. Hence, the field is now often called Low Energy Nuclear Reactions.

ICCF16 was held in Chennai, India from February 6-11, 2011. The conference was heavily impacted b... more ICCF16 was held in Chennai, India from February 6-11, 2011. The conference was heavily impacted by a demonstration in Italy, about three weeks before it began, of a 10 kW boiler with an energy gain exceeding 10. Significant theoretical and experimental progress was reported in about 50 papers at ICCF16. There was also early interest in the engineering aspects of practical sources of power based on low energy nuclear reactions (LENR). This conference was distinguished by a set of three satellite meetings. The first was a pre-conference tutorial school. And, there were two postconference workshops. One of those was on materials for LENR experiments, which was held in a nearby resort city. The other was at a university in Chennai. It focused on biologically-induced nuclear transmutations. About 500 people participated in the conference and other meetings. Many were Indian scientists, who are considering the possibility of joining the field. Over half of the attendees were students from...

Small craters have been observed frequently in the surfaces of cathodes from electrochemical LENR... more Small craters have been observed frequently in the surfaces of cathodes from electrochemical LENR experiments. They are generally 1–100 μm in size. The craters vary widely in shape and areal distribution. Two methods were used to determine the energies needed to produce such craters. The resulting energies range from nJ to mJ, depending on the crater size. If craters are caused by LENR, then many nearly simultaneous MeV-level energy releases would have to occur in a very small volume. There are numerous open basic questions regarding the formation and characteristics of craters in LENR cathodes. It remains to be seen if craters will be helpful in understanding the origin and nature of LENR. But already, the existence and features of craters seriously challenge theories that seek to understand LENR. © 2013 ISCMNS. All rights reserved. ISSN 2227-3123

Storms' view of where and how low energy nuclear reactions (LENR) occur has been called a the... more Storms' view of where and how low energy nuclear reactions (LENR) occur has been called a theory, so we begin with an examination of the character of a scientific theory. A compact summary about theory in any science is available in Wikipedia: " A scientific theory is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world, based on a body of facts that have been repeatedly confirmed through observation and experiment. Scientists create scientific theories from hypotheses that have been corroborated through the scientific method, then gather evidence to test their accuracy. As with all forms of scientific knowledge, scientific theories. . .aim for predictive and explanatory force. " The Wikipedia article continues, " The strength of a scientific theory is related to the diversity of phenomena it can explain, which is measured by its ability to make falsifiable predictions with respect to those phenomena. Theories are improved as more evidence is gathe...

— Technical questions about the science of Lattice Enabled Nuclear Reactions (LENR) are posed and... more — Technical questions about the science of Lattice Enabled Nuclear Reactions (LENR) are posed and addressed. Factors relevant to the experimental study of LENR are dealt with first. They include the variety of stimuli applied to, and results measured from, LENR experiments. Experimental reproducibility, controllability and reliability are considered, as are new parametric studies and the use of new laboratory tools. Theoretical and computational opportunities, which are closely related, are discussed. An approach to assessing existing LENR theories is outlined. Computational tools to evaluate rates and energies from LENR theories, and to quantify the characteristics and properties of materials for LENR are surveyed. Analysis and mining of data from LENR experiments are touted.

We examined published evidence for power production by LENR, which occurred too fast to be captur... more We examined published evidence for power production by LENR, which occurred too fast to be captured by calorimeters. That evidence includes observations of craters in materials, measurements of sound emission, recordings of radio-frequency, infrared and X-ray emissions, measurements of neutrons and charged particles and micro-explosions. The energy emission times, some below 1 ms, are tabulated. © 2014 ISCMNS. All rights reserved. ISSN 2227-3123

I n the last issue of this magazine, an introduction to ICCF20 was provided.1 It acknowledged the... more I n the last issue of this magazine, an introduction to ICCF20 was provided.1 It acknowledged the two scientists who organized the conference, Professors Jirohta Kasagi and Yasuhiro Iwamura, both from Tohoku University in Sendai, Japan. Figure 1 provides images of them. In that first part of the conference summary, roughly half of the papers given at ICCF20 were reviewed in detail. The rest of the review follows below. This part starts with a long discussion of the many theoretical ideas advanced at the conference. Theory is one of the most important and most complex parts of the field of LENR. After the review of theoretical papers at ICCF20, papers on applications, some diverse topics and policies relevant to LENR will be summarized. Other activities associated with ICCF20 are noted, prior to a few general comments on the field. The section numbers in this Part 2 are a continuation of those in Part 1 of the conference review.

Thousands of lattice-enabled nuclear reaction (LENR) experiments involving electrochemical loadin... more Thousands of lattice-enabled nuclear reaction (LENR) experiments involving electrochemical loading of deuterium into palladium have been conducted and reported in hundreds of papers. But, it appears that the first commercial LENR power generators will employ gas loading of hydrogen onto nickel. This article reviews the scientific base for LENR in the gas-loaded Ni-H system, and some of the tests of pre-commercial prototype generators based on this combination.

Some theories of the mechanisms active in producing Lattice Enabled (or Low Energy) Nuclear React... more Some theories of the mechanisms active in producing Lattice Enabled (or Low Energy) Nuclear Reactions (LENR) predict the formation of compact objects with binding energies and sizes intermediate between those of atoms and nuclei. The existence of compact objects remains unproven. But, if such objects exist and are formed during what are now called LENR experiments, they might release substantial energy without any nuclear reactions. Because of the small size of hypothetical compact objects, it is thought that the protons or deuterons at their centers might subsequently participate in nuclear reactions, producing more energy, transmutation products or energetic quanta. Such a two-step sequence could explain the relatively low production rates of nuclear reaction products, and also difficulties in correlating excess heat with the amounts of such products. c ⃝ 2015 ISCMNS. All rights reserved. ISSN 2227-3123

Physical Review Letters, 1974

Physical Review A, 1992

Observation of density-enhanced dielectronic satellite spectra produced during subpicosecond lase... more Observation of density-enhanced dielectronic satellite spectra produced during subpicosecond laser-matter interactions. A. Zigler, VL Jacobs, DA Newman, PG Burkhalter, and DJ Nagel Condensed Matter and Radiation Sciences ...

MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical Systems) are a new frontier in miniaturization.

Introduction Asking questions is basic to many human functions. Without questions, the learning p... more Introduction Asking questions is basic to many human functions. Without questions, the learning process in schools and universities would be vastly more difficult and less effective. FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) are a standard part of many websites now. The posing of questions is also an activity fundamental to diverse planning activities, ranging from the formulation of programs to the design of cities. And, questions, commonly driven by " mere " curiosity, are the driving force behind science. So, one can ask: what questions are applicable to the field of low energy, or alternatively , lattice-enabled nuclear reactions (LENR)? That is one of the motivations behind this compilation of some questions , which are asked because they seem significant. The answers are largely the opinions of this author. There are many ways to organize a set of questions about LENR. One way is to use the sequence shown in Figure 1. It shows the steps in the progression of a knowledge-prod...

Since then, some of the conferences have also borne that title. ICCF18 retained the historical la... more Since then, some of the conferences have also borne that title. ICCF18 retained the historical label and numbering system, but employed a new conference title: " Applying the Scientific Method to Understanding Anomalous Heat Effects: Opportunities and Challenges. " This conference title emphasized an operational aspect of the research, rather than a name for the field. The focus on scientific methodology and understanding is entirely appropriate at this stage in development of the field. The science remains a vexing and challenging endeavor spanning several disciplines The variety of titles for the ICCF conferences reflects the evolution and present status of the field. Currently, there remain tensions in the field over terminology. This is due to two primary reasons, the first of which is personal and country predilections for various monikers. But, the more basic reason for the variety of names is the persistent lack of understanding of the fundamental mechanisms that pr...

Questions serve to focus discussions of research problems and engineering challenges. This is the... more Questions serve to focus discussions of research problems and engineering challenges. This is the first of three papers, which will pose and address technical ques- tions about Lattice Enabled Nuclear Reactions (LENR). It deals with theoretical mechanisms and key materials in LENR experiments and potential power generators.

Sixty years of research on hot fusion have cost more than $ 20 B. Only one of the dozens of exper... more Sixty years of research on hot fusion have cost more than $ 20 B. Only one of the dozens of experiments has barely reached breakeven, the point at which the energy produced is equal to the energy spent for its production. Twenty years of work on “cold fusion” cost less than $ 0.2 B. Energy amplifications exceeding 10 for the palladium–deuterium system, and more than 100 for the nickel–hydrogen system, have been reported, but not verified. Hot fusion is understood and may result in large power plants in several decades. “Cold fusion”, now called Low-Energy Nuclear Reactions (LENR), remains a scientific mystery. If adequately funded, LENR could lead to safe, non-radioactive, green, small, distributed nuclear energy sources in less than two or three decades, well before hot fusion can produce commercial power. © 2011 ISCMNS. All rights reserved.

During heavy-water electrochemical experiments in the 1980s, Fleischmann and Pons found that more... more During heavy-water electrochemical experiments in the 1980s, Fleischmann and Pons found that more thermal energy came out of their experiments with Pd cathodes than was put in electrically. The excess heat was greater than could be explained by any chemical reactions. Hence, they postulated that the excess energy was due to unexpected nuclear reactions. Now, it is well established experimentally that the amount of excess heat measured in many experiments greatly exceeds what can be attributed to chemistry [1]. For this reason, and also because of numerous reports of nuclear reaction products and energetic radiations, it is widely believed that excess heat is due primarily, and maybe exclusively, to nuclear reactions. Hence, the field is now often called Low Energy Nuclear Reactions.

ICCF16 was held in Chennai, India from February 6-11, 2011. The conference was heavily impacted b... more ICCF16 was held in Chennai, India from February 6-11, 2011. The conference was heavily impacted by a demonstration in Italy, about three weeks before it began, of a 10 kW boiler with an energy gain exceeding 10. Significant theoretical and experimental progress was reported in about 50 papers at ICCF16. There was also early interest in the engineering aspects of practical sources of power based on low energy nuclear reactions (LENR). This conference was distinguished by a set of three satellite meetings. The first was a pre-conference tutorial school. And, there were two postconference workshops. One of those was on materials for LENR experiments, which was held in a nearby resort city. The other was at a university in Chennai. It focused on biologically-induced nuclear transmutations. About 500 people participated in the conference and other meetings. Many were Indian scientists, who are considering the possibility of joining the field. Over half of the attendees were students from...

Small craters have been observed frequently in the surfaces of cathodes from electrochemical LENR... more Small craters have been observed frequently in the surfaces of cathodes from electrochemical LENR experiments. They are generally 1–100 μm in size. The craters vary widely in shape and areal distribution. Two methods were used to determine the energies needed to produce such craters. The resulting energies range from nJ to mJ, depending on the crater size. If craters are caused by LENR, then many nearly simultaneous MeV-level energy releases would have to occur in a very small volume. There are numerous open basic questions regarding the formation and characteristics of craters in LENR cathodes. It remains to be seen if craters will be helpful in understanding the origin and nature of LENR. But already, the existence and features of craters seriously challenge theories that seek to understand LENR. © 2013 ISCMNS. All rights reserved. ISSN 2227-3123

Storms' view of where and how low energy nuclear reactions (LENR) occur has been called a the... more Storms' view of where and how low energy nuclear reactions (LENR) occur has been called a theory, so we begin with an examination of the character of a scientific theory. A compact summary about theory in any science is available in Wikipedia: " A scientific theory is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world, based on a body of facts that have been repeatedly confirmed through observation and experiment. Scientists create scientific theories from hypotheses that have been corroborated through the scientific method, then gather evidence to test their accuracy. As with all forms of scientific knowledge, scientific theories. . .aim for predictive and explanatory force. " The Wikipedia article continues, " The strength of a scientific theory is related to the diversity of phenomena it can explain, which is measured by its ability to make falsifiable predictions with respect to those phenomena. Theories are improved as more evidence is gathe...

— Technical questions about the science of Lattice Enabled Nuclear Reactions (LENR) are posed and... more — Technical questions about the science of Lattice Enabled Nuclear Reactions (LENR) are posed and addressed. Factors relevant to the experimental study of LENR are dealt with first. They include the variety of stimuli applied to, and results measured from, LENR experiments. Experimental reproducibility, controllability and reliability are considered, as are new parametric studies and the use of new laboratory tools. Theoretical and computational opportunities, which are closely related, are discussed. An approach to assessing existing LENR theories is outlined. Computational tools to evaluate rates and energies from LENR theories, and to quantify the characteristics and properties of materials for LENR are surveyed. Analysis and mining of data from LENR experiments are touted.

We examined published evidence for power production by LENR, which occurred too fast to be captur... more We examined published evidence for power production by LENR, which occurred too fast to be captured by calorimeters. That evidence includes observations of craters in materials, measurements of sound emission, recordings of radio-frequency, infrared and X-ray emissions, measurements of neutrons and charged particles and micro-explosions. The energy emission times, some below 1 ms, are tabulated. © 2014 ISCMNS. All rights reserved. ISSN 2227-3123

I n the last issue of this magazine, an introduction to ICCF20 was provided.1 It acknowledged the... more I n the last issue of this magazine, an introduction to ICCF20 was provided.1 It acknowledged the two scientists who organized the conference, Professors Jirohta Kasagi and Yasuhiro Iwamura, both from Tohoku University in Sendai, Japan. Figure 1 provides images of them. In that first part of the conference summary, roughly half of the papers given at ICCF20 were reviewed in detail. The rest of the review follows below. This part starts with a long discussion of the many theoretical ideas advanced at the conference. Theory is one of the most important and most complex parts of the field of LENR. After the review of theoretical papers at ICCF20, papers on applications, some diverse topics and policies relevant to LENR will be summarized. Other activities associated with ICCF20 are noted, prior to a few general comments on the field. The section numbers in this Part 2 are a continuation of those in Part 1 of the conference review.

Thousands of lattice-enabled nuclear reaction (LENR) experiments involving electrochemical loadin... more Thousands of lattice-enabled nuclear reaction (LENR) experiments involving electrochemical loading of deuterium into palladium have been conducted and reported in hundreds of papers. But, it appears that the first commercial LENR power generators will employ gas loading of hydrogen onto nickel. This article reviews the scientific base for LENR in the gas-loaded Ni-H system, and some of the tests of pre-commercial prototype generators based on this combination.

Some theories of the mechanisms active in producing Lattice Enabled (or Low Energy) Nuclear React... more Some theories of the mechanisms active in producing Lattice Enabled (or Low Energy) Nuclear Reactions (LENR) predict the formation of compact objects with binding energies and sizes intermediate between those of atoms and nuclei. The existence of compact objects remains unproven. But, if such objects exist and are formed during what are now called LENR experiments, they might release substantial energy without any nuclear reactions. Because of the small size of hypothetical compact objects, it is thought that the protons or deuterons at their centers might subsequently participate in nuclear reactions, producing more energy, transmutation products or energetic quanta. Such a two-step sequence could explain the relatively low production rates of nuclear reaction products, and also difficulties in correlating excess heat with the amounts of such products. c ⃝ 2015 ISCMNS. All rights reserved. ISSN 2227-3123