The NASA Aeronautics Research Institute (NARI) held a ‘Seedling Seminar’ during the last week of February to consider ‘potentially revolutionary’ innovative ideas in aviation. One presentation was by Doug Wells, a systems analyst at the Aeronautics Systems Analysis Branch, NASA Langley Research Center, and on February 25th he gave a presentation on ‘Low Energy Nuclear Reaction Aircraft’.

The presentation was recorded and can now be viewed at this link: https://connect.arc.nasa.gov/p1zygzm2h3i/?launcher=false&fcsContent=true&pbMode=normal

The presentation deals with what kinds of aircraft could be feasible if LENR became available, and what the technology’s impact might be on aviation. The presentation deals with possibilities such as planes with almost infinite range and vertical takeoff capabilities, and the possibility of LENR powering micro UAVs.

Wells also discusses some of the technical issues that would need to be addressed if LENR was used as a power source for aircraft. He talks about the possibility of using heat exchange engines, sterling engines, and using jet engines using nickel powder as a fuel.

At the beginning of the presentation, Doug Wells cites the Levi et al. study on the E-Cat (even showing pictures of the glowing hot cat) and said that the big takeaway from the study was that they were claiming to get more energy out than in.

At the end of the presentation the those evaluating the presentation brought up the topic of whether LENR is indeed a real effect. The answer was that they weren’t really sure yet, but the consensus among them seems to be that it is a good idea that NASA should start thinking about ‘what if’ scenarios, and prepare for future technologies. It’s interesting, and I think encouraging, that the people discussing the topic here are not dismissive, and seem have some interest in the possibility of LENR having an important impact at some future point.

UPDATE (March 1): I put a comment on the Journal of Nuclear Physics, informing Andrea Rossi that the NASA presentation above cited the Levi study, and included an image of the hot cat.

Rossi responded:

Frank Acland:

Extremely interesting. Soon we will learn from NASA something important.

Warm Regards,

A.R.

Soon after making this comment, however, Rossi edited it, and it now reads only: “Extremely interesting.” The orginal comment can be seen at www.rossilivecat.com