Discover Magazine Finds Widom-Larsen LENR Theory

Oct. 6, 2012 – By Steven B. Krivit –

The latest issue of Discover magazine includes a two-page article by Mark Anderson that features the Widom-Larsen ultra-low-momentum neutron-catalyzed theory of low-energy nuclear reactions.

The title is “Bring Back the Cold Fusion Dream,” and the subtitle is “A new theory may explain the notorious cold fusion experiment from two decades ago, reigniting hopes of a clean-energy breakthrough.”

No other LENR theory is mentioned in the Discover article, although there are plenty. However, as Anderson wrote, none of the other theories has as much going for it as does the Widom-Larsen theory. Even Ephraim Fischbach, a Purdue University physicist, favored the Widom-Larsen theory over his Purdue colleague Yeong Kim’s “cold fusion” theory, according to Anderson.

“The Widom-Larsen theory is the best-formulated explanation of what’s going on,” Fischbach said.

Anderson wrote that scientists are warming to the idea that weak interactions are more likely to explain LENRs than is room-temperature deuterium-deuterium “cold fusion.”

“A growing cadre of scientists now suspects that Pons and Fleischmann’s observations were the result not of fusion but of more plausible physical processes,” Anderson wrote. “Some are even cautiously optimistic that those processes could be exploited to generate abundant amounts of clean energy.

“The man most responsible for the change of thinking is a technology and energy consultant with a background in physics named Lewis Larsen.”

New Energy Times has been tracking this theory since 2005, and we have a Web page that provides extensive reference material, including a summary of the theory, highlights of the claims, its relevance to Huizenga’s “Three Miracles of Cold Fusion,” and a simple explanation of the mechanics of the theory. In addition to the bibliography of the scientific papers for the theory, we also have an extensive collection of informal but useful articles and slides by Larsen.

Larsen’s company, Lattice Energy LLC, has been issued a U.S. patent based on the theory, and his groups’ papers have published in the peer-reviewed journals European Physical Journal C – Particles and Fields and Pramana – Journal of Physics.

Anderson wrote that NASA is looking at the Widom-Larsen theory. New Energy Times has published several articles (see below) about NASA’s interest in Larsen and Widom’s idea. NASA has even attempted to use the Widom-Larsen theory as the basis for its own LENR patent.

Larsen will make a rare public appearance and speak for the first time about his theory at the American Nuclear Society Winter national meeting in San Diego, Calif., on Nov. 14.

Related Articles:

High-Energy Meets Low-Energy: A First at CERN
CERN Recognizes LENRs, Widom-Larsen Theory
Jones Decries NASA’s Handling of Theory
NASA and Widom-Larsen Theory: Inside Story
LENR Gold Rush Begins — at NASA
LENR Panel Session at American Nuclear Society National Meeting