Projects / Programmes
Electron Screening in Metals and Alloys
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.02.05 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Physics |
Medium- and high-energy physics |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| P220 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Nuclear physics |
electron screening, low energy nuclear reactions
Researchers (4)
Organisations (1)
| no. |
Code |
Research organisation |
City |
Registration number |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
0106 |
Jožef Stefan Institute |
Ljubljana |
5051606000 |
90,682 |
Abstract
Nuclear reaction cross sections decrease rapidly when the beam energy is lowered below the Coulomb barrier. When the electrons, screening the nuclear charge, are present, the reaction probability remains higher than in reactions between bare nuclei. The electron screening effect is much higher in metals than in isolators or gases. Reaction cross sections at low energies are then several orders of magnitude higher in metals than in other materials. This observation promises that nuclear reactions will be possible without acceleration of the ions, which could possibly lead to an alternative source of clean energy. However, processes responsible for cross section enlagment in metals need to be understood, first. Cross section elargements measured until now can be well explained using the Drude-Debye plasma model. This model predicts a decrease of half lives of some nuclei due to electron screening. This prediction is very interesting for nuclear waste storage, that could be reduced from hundreds to only a few years.
Significance for science
Studying electron screening in nuclear reactions is a relatively young field of nuclear physics. Because it is usually studied with hydrogen in metallic foils, its understanding can have a large impact on our knowledge of hydrogen-metal interactions, for example in hydrogen storage, or for the well known failure of steel constructions upon contact of iron with hydrogen, especially since we discovered large electron screening in metals under stress.
The results of the project will strongly influence our understanding of electron screening in nuclear reactions in metals. We managed to find the reasons for different values of screening potential in various metals. Two theories were trying to explain this phenomenon before our work, but both of them turned out to be inadequate. Electron screening could be connected to our understanding of cold fusion that could possibly become the main energy source of humankind in the future.
Significance for the country
Electron screening research was started in Slovenia due to the availability of necessary knowledge and equipment, which is not cheap. This would enable Slovenia to contribute its share of research that could lead to a decrease of greenhouse gas emissions. Such research also enables us to educate nuclear experts that will be needed in our existing and planned nuclear power plants.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2008,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2008,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
