Cold Fusion Science Projects

The concept of cold fusion creates a lot of debate. Many scientists do not believe in its existence or that it can be widely and usefully applied. According to Science Frontiers, some researchers were still working on cold fusion in 1991, particularly outside the United States. However, cold fusion is only a proposed form of nuclear fusion with no known mechanism, so any project must highlight this balance.

Principles of Cold Fusion

Because of its high budget and specialist technology requirements, realistic cold fusion cannot be demonstrated adequately in a school laboratory, so most cold fusion science projects must be based on research and writing. Start by encouraging your students to discuss the proposal of cold fusion itself, explaining the theory of what it is and how it works. Cold fusion uses metal hydride solutions saturated with deuterium (heavy hydrogen) as the reaction environment. Deuterium molecules are then forced into such close proximity that they fuse and produce heat.

Practical Implications

Consider the possibility that a cold fusion system can solve the world's energy problems. As Infinite Energy explains, a team of researchers at the University of Illinois was awarded a U.S. Department of Energy contract to study electrolytic techniques to remediate radioactive nuclei. Although other scientists disputed the contract, it is worth looking at the original proposal. The idea was to use cold fusion to reduce nuclear waste, produce limitless energy and convert harmful byproducts into harmless ones.

Cold Fusion Myths

Design a myth-buster for the principles of cold fusion. Ask the students to form groups and start building up as many reasons why cold fusion cannot work as an energy source or as part of a nuclear waste disposal facility in the way supporters of the theory describe. As Claire Dillow at Popsci explains, good science is rooted in good data, so focus on the lack of proven research and quantifiable information about successful cold fusion experiments. Back up every opposing claim against cold fusion with scientific reasoning so that each argument holds up.

Mini Experiment

A science fair experiment using a tungsten rod, a stainless steel scrubber pad and a potassium carbonate solution in a large beaker brings the theory behind cold fusion into practice. Keep it simple and safe. The only drawback is that to make the reactor work, you will need to hook up 15 car batteries in series, to use as a power source. This is probably impractical, but it can be done. According to Duane Diestelkamp, the experiments' designer, it works well as a producer of 100-degree temperatures with little drain on power supplies.