Testing Gamma Shielding, Per Widom-Larsen Theory
(Source: New Energy Times) x
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The following message exchange took place in response to our article "LENR Gold Rush Begins — at NASA."
(Also see this letter)
Michael Ellis says:
January 14, 2012 at 14:14

Steve,

So here’s one of my biggest concerns with W-L theory: One of the earliest of the W-L papers (from 2005) concerns gamma ray shielding by heavy electrons. That was almost 7 seven years ago.

Gamma shielding would seem to be an eminently testable prediction, conceptually at least. So why are there no published reports (that I can find) of anyone, anywhere, putting it to the test. It would seem well within the capability of any well-equipped university lab to prepare a thin slice of Ni or Pd, aim a collimated beam from a gamma ray source at one side and measure the absorption before, during, and after saturation with H2 and whatever else (laser illumination?) the W-L recipe calls for.

It can’t be an IP concern for Lattice Energy, since they obtained what seems to be a fairly comprehensive patent for gamma shielding early last year.

Am I misunderstanding the theory? Are there published papers I’ve overlooked? Is there any chance Larsen or Zawodny would be willing to offer a comment on this?

Thanks,
Mike Ellis
 
Steven B. Krivit says:
January 14, 2012 at 15:36

Hi Mike,

Excellent question.

Of course one answer is that there have been 23 years of LENR experiments with no appreciable gamma emitted from the cells. But I know your question is deeper than that.

Let’s begin with what we know about the reaction sites.

Take a look at Larsen’s slides #32-34 from his “Nickel-seed LENR Networks” presentation from April 20 2011.
http://www.slideshare.net/lewisglarsen/lattice-energy-llcnickelseed-lenr-networksapril-20-2011

Note in particular page 34, there are photomicrographs of craters where reactions have taken place. They are tiny and have a non-uniform distribution.

Next, consider their size: a couple of nanometers to around 100 microns.

Next, take a look at the SPAWAR infrared video. You’ll see how the active sites come alive and die quite rapidly.

Now consider the beam and the target.

First, consider the nature of LENR reactions as the technology presently exists. You would have to have a lot of control – location, density, timing and other parameters – of the active sites. I don’t know anybody who has such control yet. I don’t even think Larsen does because if he did, we’d be buying his products already.

Second, you would have to be able to collimate your beam very tightly within the limitations of the best active LENR sites you can create.

Knowing all of this, and what you know of beam capabilities, what do think?

Best regards,
SBK