Additional evidence of nuclear emissions during acoustic cavitation

Water can trigger nuclear reaction to produce energy and isotope gases

This paper reports the discovery that water can trigger a peculiar nuclear reaction and produce energy. Cavitation may induce unusual reactions through implosion of water vapor bubbles. Many of this research has been published formally or informally. We have conducted experiments using two reactor types made from multiple-pipe heat exchanger and found that the heat exchange process of water produces peculiar excess heat and abnormally high pressure leading to rupture of the reactor. Recently, we have tested another eight reactors. Interestingly, these reactors produce non-condensable gas. We suspected that they include 22Ne and CO2. We used a mass spectrometer (MS) to analyze 14 gas samples collected from 8 reactors, including ten samples showing a coefficient of performance COPx > 1.05 (with excess heat) and four having COPx < 1.05 (without excess heat). Several methods were adopted to identify the gas content. For CO2 identification, two methods are employed. For 22Ne identification, three methods are employed. All the results confirm that isotope 22Ne and regular CO2 really exist in the output gas from reactors determined to have excess heat. We conjecture a possible mechanism to produce 22Ne and CO2 and find out that 12C and isotope 17O are the intermediate. They finally form isotope gases containing 17O, including H2O-17 (heavy-oxygen water), isotope O2 (16O-17O), and isotope CO2 (12C-16O-17O). In the excess heat producing reactors, all these gasses were detected by MS in the absence of 20Ne and 21Ne. The observed isotope gases produced from reactors having excess heat verifies that water can trigger a peculiar nuclear reaction and produce energy.

Theoretical prediction of the scattering of spherical bubble clusters under ultrasonic excitation

Due to the nonlinear vibration of ultrasound contrast agent bubbles, a nonlinear scattered sound field will be generated when bubbles are driven by ultrasound. A bubble cluster consists of numerous bubbles gathering in a spherical space. It has been noted that the forward scattering of a bubble cluster is larger than its backscattering, and some studies have experimentally found the angular dependence of a bubble cluster's scattering signal. In this paper, a theory is proposed to explain the difference of acoustic scattering at different directions of a bubble cluster when it is driven by ultrasound, and predicts the angular distribution of scattered acoustic pressure under different parameters. The theory is proved to be correct under circumstances of small clusters and weak interactions by comparing theoretical results with numerical simulations. This theory not only sheds light on the physics of bubble cluster scattering, but also may contribute to the improvement of ultrasound imaging technology, including ultrasonic harmonic imaging and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography.

Comment on "Effect of liquid temperature on sonoluminescence"

It has been suggested that bubble-wall velocities cannot exceed the sound speed in the liquid at the bubble wall [K. Yasui, Phys. Rev. E 64, 016310 (2001).10.1103/PhysRevE.64.016310]. Here we show that this upper bound was derived omitting the partial derivatives with respect to time, i.e., assuming that the flow was in the steady state. For collapsing bubbles, however, the steady-flow assumption requires justification, as the partial time derivatives appear to have the same orders of magnitude as the other terms in Euler's and the continuity equations. Furthermore, numerical solutions of the hydrodynamic equations with a hyades hydrocode yielded supersonic velocities in the liquid at and near the collapsing bubble. We also show the spatial distributions of pressure, density, sound speed, and mass flux density around the supersonically collapsing bubble.

Could the study of cavitation luminescence be useful in high dilution research?

Cavitation in agitated liquids has been discussed for over five decades as a phenomenon that could play a role in the appearance of structural changes in the solvent of potentised dilutions. However, its lack of specificity as well as the absence of experimental confirmation have so far confined the idea to theory. The light emission associated with cavitational bubble collapse can be used to detect and study cavitation in fluids. The phenomenon has been extensively studied when driven by ultrasound, where it is called sonoluminescence. Sonoluminescence spectra reflect extremely high temperature and pressure in the collapsing bubbles and are parameter sensitive. This article tries to examine whether, despite objections and difficulties, the detection or the study of cavitational luminescence in solutions during potentisation could be useful as a physical tool in high dilution research.

To the non-local theory of cold nuclear fusion

In this paper, we revisit the cold fusion (CF) phenomenon using the generalized Bolzmann kinetics theory which can represent the non-local physics of this CF phenomenon. This approach can identify the conditions when the CF can take place as the soliton creation under the influence of the intensive sound waves. The vast mathematical modelling leads to affirmation that all parts of soliton move with the same velocity and with the small internal change of the pressure. The zone of the high density is shaped on the soliton's front. It means that the regime of the 'acoustic CF' could be realized from the position of the non-local hydrodynamics.

Formulation of multibubble cavitation

With the appropriate approximation, we have formulated the equation of multibubble motion for two cases: a filament of bubbles and a small spherical cluster of bubbles. Our results have yielded a collective mode of bubble motion in which individual bubbles of similar size expand and compress almost simultaneously. Each vibrating bubble radiates sound waves and originates the radiation sound pressure, which affects the motion of the other bubbles. The numerical simulation has revealed that this interaction suppresses single-bubble motion and tends to homogeneously spread the energy of the acoustic standing wave to each individual bubble.

The chemistry of acetone at extreme conditions by density functional molecular dynamics simulations

Density functional molecular dynamics simulations have been performed in the NVT ensemble (moles (N), volume (V) and temperature (T)) on a system formed by ten acetone molecules at a temperature of 2000 K and density ρ = 1.322 g cm(-3). These conditions resemble closely those realized at the interface of an acetone vapor bubble in the early stages of supercompression experiments and result in an average pressure of 5 GPa. Two relevant reactive events occur during the simulation: the condensation of two acetone molecules to give hexane-2,5-dione and dihydrogen and the isomerization to the enolic propen-2-ol form. The mechanisms of these events are discussed in detail.

Ultrasound ionization of biomolecules

To date, mass spectrometric analysis of biomolecules has been primarily performed with either matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) or electrospray ionization (ESI). In this work, ultrasound produced by a simple piezoelectric device is shown as an alternative method for soft ionization of biomolecules. Precursor ions of proteins, saccharides and fatty acids showed little fragmentation. Cavitation is considered as a primary mechanism for the ionization of biomolecules.

Diagnosing temperature change inside sonoluminescing bubbles by calculating line spectra

With the numerical calculation of the spectrum of single bubble sonoluminescence, we find that when the maximum temperature inside a dimly luminescing bubble is relatively low, the spectral lines are prominent. As the maximum temperature of the bubble increases, the line spectrum from the bright bubble weakens or even fades away relative to the background continuum. The calculations in this paper effectively interpret the observed phenomena, indicating that the calculated results, which are closely related to the spectrum profile, such as temperature and pressure, should be reliable. The present calculation tends to negate the existence of a hot plasma core inside a sonoluminescing bubble.

Acoustic multibubble cavitation in water: A new aspect of the effect of a rare gas atmosphere on bubble temperature and its relevance to sonochemistry

Acoustic cavitation generates transient microbubbles with extremely high temperatures and high pressures, which can provide unique reaction routes. The maximum bubble temperature attained is widely known to be dependent on the polytropic index and thermal conductivity of the dissolved gas. Here, we show for the first time experimental evidence that the bubble temperature induced by a high frequency ultrasound is almost the same among different rare gases and the chemical efficiency is in proportion to the gas solubility of rare gases, which would be closely related to the number of active bubbles.

Upper bound for neutron emission from sonoluminescing bubbles in deuterated acetone

An experimental search for nuclear fusion inside imploding bubbles of degassed deuterated acetone at 0 degrees C driven by a 15 atm sound field and seeded with a neutron generator reveals an upper bound that is a factor of 10 000 less than the signal reported by Taleyarkhan et al. The strength of our upper bound is limited by the weakness of sonoluminescence, which we ascribe to the relatively high vapor pressure of acetone.

Observation of fluorescence emissions from single-bubble sonoluminescence in water doped with quinine

Sonoluminescence is a phenomenon involving the transduction of sound into light. The detailed mechanism as well as the energy-focusing potentials are not yet fully explored and understood. So far only optical photons are observed, while emissions in the ultra-violet range are only inferred. By doping the fluorescent dye quinine into water with dilute sulphuric acid, the high energy photons can be converted into the optical photons with slower decay constants. These sonoluminescence and fluorescent emissions were observed in coincidence, and the emitted signals of the two modes can be differentiated by their respective timing profiles. Plans for using this technique as a diagnostic tool to quantitatively study ultra-violet and other high energy emissions in sonoluminescence are discussed.

Theory of light emission in sonoluminescence as thermal radiation

Based on the model proposed by Hilgenfeldt [Nature (London) 398, 401 (1999)], we present here a comprehensive theory of thermal radiation in single-bubble sonoluminescence (SBSL). We first invoke the generalized Kirchhoff's law to obtain the thermal emissivity from the absorption cross section of a multilayered sphere (MLS). A sonoluminescing bubble, whose internal structure is determined from hydrodynamic simulations, is then modeled as a MLS and in turn the thermal radiation is evaluated. Numerical results obtained from simulations for argon bubbles show that our theory successfully captures the major features observed in SBSL experiments.

Nuclear emissions during self-nucleated acoustic cavitation

A unique, new stand-alone acoustic inertial confinement nuclear fusion test device was successfully tested. Experiments using four different liquid types were conducted in which bubbles were self-nucleated without the use of external neutrons. Four independent detection systems were used (i.e., a neutron track plastic detector to provide unambiguous visible records for fast neutrons, a detector, a NE-113-type liquid scintillation detector, and a NaI gamma ray detector). Statistically significant nuclear emissions were observed for deuterated benzene and acetone mixtures but not for heavy water. The measured neutron energy was <or=2.45 MeV, which is indicative of deuterium-deuterium (D-D) fusion. Neutron emission rates were in the range approximately 5x10(3) n/s to approximately 10(4) n/s and followed the inverse law dependence with distance. Control experiments did not result in statistically significant neutron or gamma ray emissions.

Power ultrasound in organic synthesis: moving cavitational chemistry from academia to innovative and large-scale applications

Ultrasound, an efficient and virtually innocuous means of activation in synthetic chemistry, has been employed for decades with varied success. Not only can this high-energy input enhance mechanical effects in heterogeneous processes, but it is also known to induce new reactivities leading to the formation of unexpected chemical species. What makes sonochemistry unique is the remarkable phenomenon of cavitation, currently the subject of intense research which has already yielded thought-provoking results. This critical review is aimed at discussing the present status of cavitational chemistry and some of the underlying phenomena, and to highlight some recent applications and trends in organic sonochemistry, especially in combination with other sustainable technologies. (151 references.).

Plasma line emission during single-bubble cavitation

Emission lines from transitions between high-energy states of noble-gas atoms (Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe) and ions (Ar(+), Kr(+), and Xe(+)) formed and excited during single-bubble cavitation in sulfuric acid are reported. The excited states responsible for these emission lines range 8.3 eV (for Xe) to 37.1 eV (for Ar(+)) above the respective ground states. Observation of emission lines allows for identification of intracavity species responsible for light emission; the populated energy levels indicate the plasma generated during cavitation is comprised of highly energetic particles.

Plasma formation and temperature measurement during single-bubble cavitation

Single-bubble sonoluminescence (SBSL) results from the extreme temperatures and pressures achieved during bubble compression; calculations have predicted the existence of a hot, optically opaque plasma core with consequent bremsstrahlung radiation. Recent controversial reports claim the observation of neutrons from deuterium-deuterium fusion during acoustic cavitation. However, there has been previously no strong experimental evidence for the existence of a plasma during single- or multi-bubble sonoluminescence. SBSL typically produces featureless emission spectra that reveal little about the intra-cavity physical conditions or chemical processes. Here we report observations of atomic (Ar) emission and extensive molecular (SO) and ionic (O2+) progressions in SBSL spectra from concentrated aqueous H2SO4 solutions. Both the Ar and SO emission permit spectroscopic temperature determinations, as accomplished for multi-bubble sonoluminescence with other emitters. The emissive excited states observed from both Ar and O2+ are inconsistent with any thermal process. The Ar excited states involved are extremely high in energy (>13 eV) and cannot be thermally populated at the measured Ar emission temperatures (4,000-15,000 K); the ionization energy of O2 is more than twice its bond dissociation energy, so O2+ likewise cannot be thermally produced. We therefore conclude that these emitting species must originate from collisions with high-energy electrons, ions or particles from a hot plasma core.