Google, since 2015, has been involved in the funding of cold fusion experiments, a controversial science that involves the theory whereby the process used to power the sun, nuclear fusion, can produce energy at room temperature. The initial claim about cold fusion was made by two scientists nearly thirty years ago. They promised it could create an endless supply of energy however, the results of their experiments were non-conclusive, and the theory was put to rest.
The project funded by Google has, to date, not found any evidence cold fusion is even possible, however, through its funding, developed some advancements in materials-science techniques and in measurement that could be a benefit in future research on energy . The hope is, through the research, it will motivate others in science to revisit what was once, a taboo subject, even if it still fails.
The team behind the Google funded experiment looked at three different proposed set ups which could produce cold fusion. One of those involved hydrogen and metallic powders, the others involved hydrogen and palladium. Neither of the experiments showed any signs of fusion. Those results have been extensively published, and that has seen some in the field of science still turning its back on the topic as no one to date has been able to reproduce the same findings as noted in the published articles.
Frank Close, a University of Oxford, a theoretical physicist in the U.K who was part of the team that attempted to replicate the original experiment stated that there is not a theoretical reason that would expect the possibility of cold fusion and the sheer volume of established science tells us it is, in theory, not possible.
In 1989, American scientists Martin Fleischmann and Stanley Pons conducted experiments and announced that they has seen signs of nuclear fusion through excess heat and fusion-reaction products after running a current across two palladium plates that were laden with water deuterium. That resulted in others in the field of science addressing issues surrounding their experimental procedure, and since, the two reviews by the US Department of Energy reviews found there is no evidence of the phenomenon.
Today, cold fusion is more often identified as low-energy nuclear reactions. Even though it is, by most, believed to not be possible, it still retains a following by those who claim they have evidence of success. The project by Google saw thirty researchers testing those claims, and in doing so, shared all test results and data so as to allow for each team member to review the others results.
The research team followed three different experimental strands which were identified to have sufficient credibility. One of those saw researchers attempting to load specific amounts of deuterium into hypothesized palladium to trigger fusion. However, even with high concentrations, researchers were not successful in creating stable samples.
The second of the strands was based on results from the US physicists claiming they generated anomalous levels of tritium. This is another isotope heavy with hydrogen that can only be created through nuclear reactions. The researchers used pulses of hot deuterium ions to bombard the palladium, but results showed there was not any production of tritium production.
The third and final stand saw researchers heating metallic powders in an environment that was hydrogen-rich and again, it failed to produce results. While it would be ideal for mankind to achieve success in the creation of cold fusion, it clearly is not a task many believe will find success, unlike those who focus energies towards the understanding of statistical information in order to generate results such as those with interests in sports betting or those with an interest in the android mobile app for Bet365 by Silentbet as it offers higher than average betting odds and proven returns for those with a strong understanding towards sports betting and the principles used in collecting decision data.
While it is expected that at some point in the future that experiments will continue by proponents of cold fusion, the reality is to date, over 400 tests have been carried by the team funded by Google and to date, success has not been forthcoming. That said, many in the research team believe additional palladium experiments need to be studied further as current equipment may not be capable accurately measuring test results.