In reply to ny....@aol.com's message of Tue, 5 Jun 2012 00:14:05 -0400 (EDT): Hi, [snip] >http://sire.com/fusion.htm
This page talks about "gaps", but you don't need gaps. In fact almost all elements have isotopes that work. Odd numbered elements however tend to make better starting material because there are almost always fewer stable isotopes of the odd numbered elements than of the even numbered ones. That means that the element following the odd one is likely to have quite a few stable isotopes, which are likely to include the ones that would form by addition of a proton to the odd numbered nucleus. In short, if you start with an odd numbered element, you almost always get a stable isotope as end product. e.g. H + Na23 (100%) => Mg24 (stable) + 11.69 MeV H + Al27 (100%) => Si28 (stable) + 11.58 MeV H + P31 (100%) => S32 (stable) + 8.86 MeV H + Cl35 (75%) => Ar36 (stable) + 8.5 MeV H + Cl37 (25%) => Ar38 (stable) + 10.24 MeV H + Cu63 (69%) => Zn64 (stable) + 7.7 MeV H + Cu65 (31%) => Zn66 (stable) + 8.93 MeV etc. Each of these reactions also has a less energetic alternative where an alpha particle is emitted, also producing stable isotopes. Both Na and Al are particularly attractive as they are very common. (The 1 lb packet of salt you have in the cupboard would supply your home with energy for well over 100 years, not counting the Chlorine reactions! ;) Regards, Robin van Spaandonk http://rvanspaa.freehostia.com/project.html