ABSTRACT

New energy technology (NET) is a short name appropriate for any power-generation concept that is not yet in widespread use. One of these NET concepts is called cold fusion (CF). Within the traditional narrative of Physics, only so-called hot fusion (HF), i.e., thermonuclear fusion, is understood, attempted, and somewhat developed. CF is an even newer idea. It is presently surrounded with secrecy, hype, and doubt. One often-cited reason for doubt is the lack of neutrons produced in any claimed CF reaction. One thing that is known to be helpful is leaving heavy water to rest undisturbed for a long time before inserting electrodes and attempting to provoke CF events. It seems clear that CF is an engineering problem, rather than a science problem per se, but it does reflect some light back onto Physics. Any eventual success with CF engineering will surely stimulate some kind of review and renewal in Physics.