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Updated: Jul 21, 2026
14:22
Activating Molecules, Ions, and Solid Particles with Acoustic Cavitation
Published on: April 11, 2014
Evidence for nuclear emissions during acoustic cavitation
R P Taleyarkhan1, C D West, J S Cho
1Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA. zrt@ornl.gov
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|March 9, 2002
Summary
Researchers detected tritium and neutrons from cavitation in deuterated acetone, suggesting deuterium-deuterium fusion. Control experiments with normal acetone showed no such activity, supporting the fusion findings.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear physics
- Acoustic cavitation research
Background:
- Cavitation experiments can create extreme conditions within bubbles.
- Deuterium-deuterium fusion is a potential energy source that requires high temperatures and pressures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the possibility of nuclear fusion reactions occurring during acoustic cavitation.
- To analyze the byproducts of cavitation in deuterated acetone.
Main Methods:
- Performing cavitation experiments using deuterated acetone.
- Detecting tritium decay activity and neutron emissions.
- Conducting control experiments with normal acetone.
- Utilizing hydrodynamic shock code simulations.
Main Results:
- Tritium decay activity above background levels was detected in deuterated acetone experiments.
- Neutron emissions near 2.5 MeV, consistent with deuterium-deuterium fusion, were observed.
- Control experiments with normal acetone yielded no tritium or neutron signals.
- Simulations indicated bubble implosion conditions reaching 10^6 to 10^7 K.
Conclusions:
- The results provide evidence for nuclear fusion reactions during cavitation in deuterated acetone.
- The findings suggest that cavitation can create conditions suitable for fusion.
- Further research into cavitation-induced fusion is warranted.
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