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Cold fusion expert to deliver ISA Expo 2008 Rimbach Lecture

07/09/2008

Research Triangle Park, N.C., July 8 - Dr. David J. Nagel, research professor at The George Washington University, will present the ISA EXPO 2008 Keynote/Rimbach Lecture on 15 October at ISA EXPO 2008 in Houston,Texas.

Dr. Nagel will discuss the potential for a new sensing and instrumentation market with the continued exploration and evolution of cold fusion technology in his Wednesday keynote address entitled, "Instrumentation for Low-Energy Nuclear Reactions," at 9:00 a.m.
 
An excerpt from his presentation abstract focuses on the history of cold fusion: "Two chemists announced in 1989 that they could produce nuclear reactions and energy under ordinary conditions of temperature and pressure. These reactions were termed 'cold fusion,' even though no one really knew then what nuclear reactions might be occurring. In the years since 1989, hundreds of experiments have been done on what is now called low-energy nuclear reactions, or the Fleischmann-Pons Effect. The total body of experimental evidence shows that it is indeed possible to produce nuclear reactions at low-input energies. However, the field remains controversial and poorly understood. There is no satisfactory theory now for what has been observed."

Past and current experiments require sophisticated instrumentation, including both multiple sensors and automated control of relevant conditions. Many people, including those in several start-up companies, believe that understanding, control, optimization and commercial exploitation of this new means to trigger nuclear reactions will follow in the coming years. If the anticipated advances occur, including significant scaling up in power levels, a new nuclear reactor industry will emerge. Sensing and control instrumentation will be as critical inthat industry as they are in current energy production and process control industries.

For 36 years, Dr. Nagel has held positions of increasing responsibility at the Naval Research Laboratory. As a Division Superintendent for 13 years, he was a member of the Senior Executive Service and managed the experimental and theoretical research and development efforts of 150 government and contractor personnel. Dr. Nagel has written or co-authored over 150 technical articles, reports, book chapters and encyclopedia articles. In 1998, he became a research professor of The George Washington University. He is General Chairman of the 14th International Conference on Cold Fusion in Washington DC.

Dr. Nagel's R&D career has paralleled developments in MEMS and nano-technology. He is widely recognized as an authority in MEMS and nano-technology-based sensors and wireless sensor systems. Dr. Nagel graduated (magna cum laude) with a BS in Engineering Science in 1960, and later completed an MS in Physics and PhD in Engineering Materials.

The Rimbach Lecture honors Richard Rimbach (1885-1979), long considered the Father of ISA, for his lifetime of service to the industry and for his leadership in founding the Society. The Rimbach Lecture, presented annually during ISA's annual conference and exhibit, reflects Rimbach's vision in technology advances, training and motivation.