The first fruits of our project on Low Energy Nuclear Reactions.
Current day science and NDT will be highly benefited by a compact neutron source of moderate intensity and costs. During the last months we have been researching what such a neutron production would look like, based on Low energy nuclear reactions (LENR).
Typical neutron production relies on fission or fusion. The former requires a high-cost nuclear reactor, and fusion requires a high kinetic energy of the fusing particles to overcome the Coulomb barrier (hot-fusion). However, there are other ways to overcome the Coulomb barrier. Formerly known as cold-fusion, nowadays as LENR, experiments show that this type of fusion can be used to create neutrons. Even though the method is more complex, the equipment needed is much simpler and thus more cost-effective in comparison to hot-fusion or fission reactors.
Through an extensive literature review in the first phase of this project, different routes were investigated to produce neutrons with LENR. A list of the known methods, such as fusion by means of accelerators, discharges, sound, and lasers, was established including (dis)advantages. The chosen methods were deemed theoretically sound, but not all were based on established nuclear theories. In the latter case, they were based on verifiable alternatives.
As the ultimate goal of this project is to identify a way to create a relatively affordable and simple LENR neutron source, and taking into account the results from the literature review, we chose to develop a particle simulator. (See screenshots below) This simulator enables the full electrodynamic simulation of an electrostatic fusor. It is also capable of tracking the positions of electrons and ions in an arbitrary geometry and potential. Which in turns leads to the opportunity to examine whether certain potentials produce exotic ion/ charge structures, which may amplify fusion.
In this simulation the fusion rate is calculated using a simple Bosch-Hale model, the fusion cross section is based on empirical observations of the fusion rate against Centre of Mass energy. As a result, the simulator is able to detect: exotic charge structures / destinies and energetic anomalies. A separate simulation will be required to calculate the modified fusion cross section in the case that an exotic structure is identified.
Now we can work with the simulator, we will test and calibrate it against known geometries. After that we can optimize geometries with the help of this simulation suite, bringing us yet another step closer to the identification of a non-complex, well-affordable LENR neutron source with market potential.
I, Victor, would like to thank all contributors to the BonPEC progress meeting we had last monday. It was nice to exchange past experiences and future possibilities. 
