Joseph Zawodny, NASA Langley Research Center – Energetics, had a presentation at NASA Aviation Unleashed where he looked at low energy nuclear reactions and other possible game changing technologies.
Lewis G. Larsen developed a theory of LENRs (WLT) that explains ALL the evidenceand along with Dr. Alan Widom published their theory in Eur. Phys. J. C (2006)
• WLT is the 1st theory to not require “New Physics”.
• It relies on the Weak Nuclear force which:
* Produces a neutron via electron capture
* Does not have a Coulomb barrier to overcome
• The theory combines QED, Condensed Matter, Nuclear, and Plasma Physics
LENR (low energy nuclear reactions) IS NOT “COLD FUSION”
Widom Larsen Theory Overview
p + e* ⇒n +⎯υe Inhibited by 0.78MeV
• e* is a “heavy electron” allowed by QED -requires high electric fields (~10^11V/m or 10V/Å)
• High fields result from a breakdown of the Born-Oppenheimer Approximation via a coupling of Surface Plasmon Polaritons to a collective proton resonance in the metal hydride.
• The result is an Ultra Low Momentum Neutron which is rapidly absorbed by nearby nuclei.
• Subsequent decays release significant energy.
• Select impurities/catalysts determine the overall energetics
New Aviation Design Metrics with Successful LENR
• Fuel mass and volume are negligible:
* Mass is essentially constant from take-off to landing
* Increase in payload as percentage of TOW
* Optimizations for increased landing weight
• Increase in performance
* Energetics favorable for supersonic cruise
* Greatly extended range/capacity for rotorcraft
• Overall reduction in mass opens up the micro and nano vehicle design space
New Aviation Missions with Successful LENR
• Increase in capability results in new applications
Mini -Micro -Nano air vehicles
• Sensor swarms/meshes
• Package delivery
• Huge implications for ATC
Personal Air Vehicles
• Performance equates to increased safety
• Performance fully enables true point-to-point
• Greatly extended range (Local -> Global!)
• Huge implications for ATC
Military
• Unlimited loiter
• Enhanced mobility with a reduction of supply logistics
• Horizontal take-off access to orbit
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Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
A frequent speaker at corporations, he has been a TEDx speaker, a Singularity University speaker and guest at numerous interviews for radio and podcasts. He is open to public speaking and advising engagements.