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Yes, AI can be a practical accelerator for LENR Research
LENR/LANR/SSF “Cold Fusion” experiments often realign on materials details in Condensed Matter Science more than any single “reactor concept”: hydrogen/deuterium uptake, defect densities, grain boundaries, surface chemistry, and how microstructure evolves under cycling. Machine Learning (ML) can help the community turn that complexity into testable design rules—without replacing careful calorimetry or replication.
How ML can help right now
- Smarter candidate selection: Use open materials databases to shortlist alloy/hydride systems and property trends worth fabricating and loading (and access them programmatically via APIs). Materials Project+1
- Faster microstructure-sensitive modeling: Modern equivariant ML interatomic potentials (e.g., NequIP-class) can approximate quantum-informed forces efficiently, enabling larger/longer simulations for H/D diffusion, trapping, and defect interactions than direct ab-initio methods alone. Nature+1
- Better surface/interface intuition: Catalyst ML efforts (e.g., Open Catalyst Project) provide tools and datasets relevant to adsorption, surface relaxation, and interface chemistry—useful for electrode and gas-loading surfaces. Open Catalyst Project+1
- From papers to data: A practical first step is extracting structured variables (material, treatment, protocol, impurities, microscopy, outcomes) from the LENR literature (LENR-CANR, JCMNS) into a dataset ML can learn from. LENR-CANR+1
- Closed-loop optimization: “Self-driving lab” methods (active learning + Bayesian optimization + automation) can explore huge parameter spaces efficiently and reduce human bias in trial selection. American Chemical Society Publications+1
Links to Sources to explore
Materials Project (ML): https://next-gen.materialsproject.org/ml
Materials Project API: https://next-gen.materialsproject.org/api
Matbench Discovery leaderboard: https://matbench-discovery.materialsproject.org/
NequIP (Nature Communications): https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-022-29939-5
NequIP (arXiv): https://arxiv.org/abs/2101.03164
Open Catalyst Project: https://opencatalystproject.org/
Self-driving labs review (Chem. Rev. 2024): https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.chemrev.4c00055
LENR-CANR library: https://lenr-canr.org/
JCMNS: https://jcmns.org/
The use of LLMs for constructive criticism with researchers is the low hanging fruit, but is dependent on how the LLMs are trained. Machine Learning is a tool that has massive potential to progress the field of what was once called “Cold Fusion” more into public purview.
The difference in even subtle training improvements for LLMs are showcased here:
The use of ChatGPT 5.2 Flagship model reviews other papers from JCMNS Vol. 40 – Physics – LENR Forum
The use of ChatGPT 5.2 with RAG (Retrieval Augmented Generation) and Preference Tuning for the Brown Paper as an example.
Commercial LENR News:
1.) Prometheus (sponsor of the upcoming IWAHLM17) in the Italian news again: Prometheus, the “light” nuclear power made in Italy ready to produce energy from water and salt – Newsroom Italy
2.) NASA has been quietly working with Astral Systems LTD for some time. How long we don’t know. As we have reported before, Astral even claims on their website to have developed what they describe, and has been speculated on the forum, as the first LENR derived product. Here is something new to us, although over a year old: Lattice-Confinement-Fusion-and-Astral-Systems
3.) Biaco latest: News & Updates – Biaco Energy
4.) Clean Planet appoints Prof. Hiroshi Toki as Advisor: NEWS | CLEANPLANET Inc.
5.) ENG8 reports Jean-Paul Biberian has completed “another” validation of an EnergiCell: Independent Validation Confirms Self-Sustaining EnergiCell Operation | ENG8
6.) Brilliant Light Power claims they are close to commercialization: Electromagnetic Pumps | Brilliant Light Power
Papers:
1.) Last month we featured Ed Storm’s: The History of Cold Fusion -no appendix Unfortunately, for many of you the link did not open. Here he explains his reasoning for writing the paper: https://www.lenr-forum.com/forum/thread/7344-is-agreement-about-how-cold-fusion-works-and-its-application-possible/?postID=216773#post216773 Definitely a worthwhile read from the perspective of a pioneer in the field of LENR.
2.) Micro-Raman study of H(l) precursor states of ultra-dense hydrogen H(0)
Leif Holmlid a, Linnéa Gunnarsson b
We show that micro-Raman spectroscopy is useful for studying hydrogen Rydberg Matter of the type H(l) at the generating catalyst surface. The excited hydrogen atoms comprising the H(RM) materials are observed in the anti-Stokes range, in the same way as the excited potassium atoms in potassium Rydberg Matter K(RM) were previously observed (Alpermann and Holmlid 2007). Atomic hydrogen transitions are observed at 320 K. This gives strong evidence for the formation of Rydberg Matter of atomic hydrogen on the potassium containing catalyst. Adsorbed hydrogen H2 molecules and other hydrogen containing molecules are observed in the Stokes range at shifts up to 4239 cm−1.
Micro-Raman study of H(l) precursor states of ultra-dense hydrogen H(0) – ScienceDirect
3.) The Effect of Electrode Materials on the Fusion Rate in Multi-State Fusion Reactors
by Mahmoud Bakr 1,2,3,*,Tom Wallace-Smith 2,Keisuke Mukai 4,5,Edward Martin 1,Owen Leighton Thomas 2,Han-Ying Liu 2,Dali Lemon-Morgan 2,Erin Holland 2,Talmon Firestone 2 and Thomas B. Scott 1
This study assesses how different anode materials influence neutron production rates (NPRs) in multi-state fusion (MSF) reactors, with a particular focus on the effects of deuterium (D) pre-loading on the anode surface. Three types of mesh anodes were assessed: stainless steel (SS), zirconium (Zr), and D pre-loaded zirconium (ZrD). MSF operates using two electrodes to confine ions to various fusion reactions, including D-D and D-T. The reactor features a negatively biased central cathode and a grounded anode within a vacuum vessel. Neutrons and protons are produced through the application of high voltage (tens of kV) and current (tens of mA) on the system to spark the plasma and start the fusion.
Assessments at voltages up to 50 kV and currents up to 30 mA showed that Zr mesh anodes produced higher NPRs than SS ones, reaching 1.912 at 30 kV. This increased performance is attributed to surface fusion processes occurring in the anode. These processes were further modified by the deuterium pre-loading in the ZrD anode, as compared to SS and Zr with 1.832 at 30 kV. The findings suggest that material properties and deuterium pre-loading play significant roles in optimizing the efficiency of MSF reactors and the NPR. Future research may explore the long-term stability and durability of these anode materials under continuous operation conditions to fully harness their potential in fusion energy applications.
The Effect of Electrode Materials on the Fusion Rate in Multi-State Fusion Reactors
Note: LENR Forum members discovered a minor flaw in this paper and the author responded: https://www.lenr-forum.com/forum/thread/6358-nasa-s-lattice-confined-fusion-lcf/?postID=216971#post216971
4.) Analysis of Trigger Input for Nuclear Reactions Using SUS Alloys
Tadahiko Mizuno /Hydrogen Engineering Development & Application Ltd., Japan
The authors tested various metals and alloys as reactants. Since 2020, we have investigated numerous phenomena that occur when a cylindrical container machined from a stainless-steel container is heated. Using this method, we have confirmed abnormal heat generation (thermal output – thermal input > 0), neutron generation, electromagnetic wave generation, and, when a collecting electrode is installed in the container, electromotive force generation. We analyzed the input power that triggers these phenomena and reported the results here.
5.) Schenkel et al. 2025 Enhanced nuclear fusion in the sub-keV energy regime.
http://arxiv.org/abs/2512.06212
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/398474770_Enhanced_nuclear_fusion_in_the_sub-keV_energy_regime
6.) Creating Completely Clean Energy Through New Principles of Nuclear Fusion Akito Takahashi https://www.researchgate.net/publication/398970852_Creating_Completely_Clean_Energy_Through_New_Principles_of_Nuclear_Fusion
In the media:
1.) Steven Krivit writes about Mizuno’s new paper: An Extraordinary LENR Reactor Design – New Energy Times – News Site
2.) Steven Krivit reports ChemRxiv chemistry preprint server will be “more receptive” to LENR manuscripts: ChemRxiv Opens Doors to LENRs – New Energy Times – News Site
YouTube/Video:
Francesco Celani gives an update on his latest progress:
Community Notices and Events:
1.) Second Announcement for abstract submissions and registration for workshops, among other things: The 17th International Workshop on Anomalies in Hydrogen Loaded Metals, March 24-26, Bergamo, Italy – ISCMNS
*A reminder that this workshop is held at the Kilometro Rosso, in Bergamo, Italy, headquarters of Prometheus Energy, and co-sponsor of the event.
2.) Bryan Chris White has updated the LENR.Academy with new features to explore.
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DISCLAIMER Mentions of any investment funds or private business do not indicate endorsement by the Authors or LENR-forum members. LENR-forum supports metal-hydrogen energy and solid state fusion as a zero-carbon solution to global energy needs. By publicizing community activity, we do not intend or seek to promote any one entity over any other. We do not give investment advice or suggestions. Due diligence is required before investing in any venture. Information is provided solely for educational and research purposes.
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