Nuclear fusion gets electrochemical shock to boost reaction rates

Scientists at the University of British Columbia (UBC) have developed a novel method to enhance nuclear fusion reaction rates at room temperature using a compact, bench-top reactor called the Thunderbird Reactor. This device combines a particle accelerator with an electrochemical cell to load deuterium fuel into a palladium metal target from two sides: a plasma field on one side and electrochemical loading on the other. The electrochemical process, which applies just one volt of electricity, effectively "squeezes" more deuterium into the metal, achieving what normally requires extremely high pressures. This dual-loading approach resulted in a 15% increase in deuterium–deuterium fusion events, marking the first demonstration of fusion using this combination of techniques, although the experiment did not achieve net energy gain. This research represents a significant shift from traditional fusion experiments that rely on large, high-temperature reactors, potentially democratizing fusion science by enabling smaller-scale, more accessible laboratory setups. The work builds on a 2015