Hot off the press! Not sure is this is relevant to LENR, but think it could be.
When ions get closer: New physical attraction between ions in quantum plasmas Quantum plasmas extend the area of application to nano-scales, where quantum-mechanical effects gain significance. This is the case when, in comparison to normal plasmas, the plasma density is very high and the temperature is low. Then the newly discovered potential occurs, which is caused by collective interaction processes of degenerate electrons with the quantum plasma. Such plasmas can be found, for example, in cores of stars with a dwindling nuclear energy supply (white dwarfs <http://www.physorg.com/tags/white+dwarfs/> ), or they can be produced artificially in the laboratory by means of laser irradiation <http://www.physorg.com/tags/laser+irradiation/> . The new negative potential causes an attractive force <http://www.physorg.com/tags/attractive+force/> between the ions, which then form lattices. They are compressed and the distances between them shortened, so that current can flow through them much faster. The findings of the Bochum scientists open up the possibility of ion-crystallization on the magnitude scale of an atom. They have thus established a new direction of research that is capable of linking various disciplines of physics. Applications include micro-chips for quantum computers, semiconductors, thin metal foils or even metallic nano-structures. More information: P. K. Shukla and B. Eliasson (2012): Novel Attractive Force Between Ions in Quantum Plasmas, Physical Review Letters 108, in press. Gee, you mean there are still new things to discover? Science still has things to learn? I'm being sarcastic here. This is why when anyone, especially a scientist, states that something isn't possible because it contradicts laws of physics, they are just flat-out wrong. ALL one is justified in ever saying in that situation is that it's very unlikely. if they don't speak in probabilities, then they are probably wed to their theories as much as any person is to their religion. it's ok to 'not know'. -Mark
