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Science

Rare Nuclear Fusion Detected 6

Pooua writes "Scientists at the Indiana University Cyclotron Facility in Bloomington have detected a rare fusion process that employs a critical charge asymmetry. "'Scientists have searched for this rare fusion process since the 1950s,' said IU physicist Edward Stephenson, the leader of the research team. "
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Rare Nuclear Fusion Detected

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  • by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 07, 2003 @07:55AM (#5677900)
    It's about neutrons decaying into protons when isolated, and an assimetry of electrical charges. Hey, i've read it, not assimilated it! ;)
  • by pr0ntab ( 632466 ) <pr0ntab AT gmail DOT com> on Monday April 07, 2003 @09:17AM (#5678266) Journal
    It has nothing to do with alternative types of fusion to create energy. Rather, they found experimental evidence that backs up some of the theories in particle physics (the relationship between protons and their slightly heavier cousins the neutrons).

    It may seem like a so-what type moment, but apparently they were getting five of these events a day, with dozens of recorded events. So scientists will have a lot of new experimental evidence to chew on, and maybe there will be some refinement in various theories or models used in quantum chromodynamics (study of quarks, basically).
    Then, I could be wrong... Anyone who follows this stuff know of any other more significant studies that regularly contribute evidence to those working in q.c.d?
  • I read the article, but it doesn't make and sense to me. Is this useful for stuff or just good to know? Either way it's still pretty cool.
    • It is good to know because it is useful for the theory. If you do not test hard theory predictions with experimental data, or you cannot progress with the theory.

      Understanding quarks is useful for learning about how world realy works on a very small scale, and about the origins of universe; do not expect antigravity machine and time travel discovery.

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