President Jim Madder welcomed members as well as guest Rita Komandent.
O Canada was rendered from CBC Archives and was very attractive (thanks to K.Holloway)
Jim Madder acknowledged the land we are situated on and then introduced our speaker
FEATURE PRESENTATION
Rotarian Dr. Dimiter Alexandrov: PhD, Technical University of Sofia, Bulgaria is Head of the Semiconductor Research Laboratory at Lakehead University. He has a number of high profile research interests and has recently been acknowledged for his (published) work on Low Energy Nuclear Reactions (LENR).
Setting the stage for his work on an emerging novel prototype for a controlled, practical energy source devoid of both radiation release and radioactive waste, he reviewed the basics on nuclear energy physics: first nuclear fission, second, nuclear fusion.
The early experiments led to uncontrolled massive energy release, typified by explosion bombs (eg the Manhattan project-1945, by fission reaction) and later the hydrogen bomb ( by fusion-1956), which of course had very adverse effects on the planet and humanity. More controlled fission technologies (eg CANDU reactors) still have the disadvantages we hear about every day.
In Dr. Alexandrov's lab, he found that by fusing deuterium with a solid metal eg palladium) he could get helium and energy release (demonstrated by a glowing coil in his video). This is low energy in scale but sufficient for commercial application, in theory.
Down the line he foresees a new fossil free (thus carbon emission free), radioactive free, radioactive, waste free, scalable, portable, source of clean energy. This might even be a godsend for remote communities and importantly would be controllable. Very exciting technology in the offing!
This is important work and it is being developed right here at Lakehead University.
Jim Madder thanked Dr. Alexandrov for this remarkable research and attendees responded enthusiastically as well.
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ANNOUNCEMENT HIGHLIGHTS (see also President Madder's communique)
1.Salvation Army Kettles: A few openings remain for December 11th (contact Bill Green)
2. Dew Drop Inn: a fulsome day assisting 370 people was held November 25th (D. Silliman)
3. Catch the Ace: Albert Brulé extols this important activity in support of 4 worthy recipients
4. The O Christmas tree project has been modified: unfortunately the pop up market will be deferred til next year. Our club is still decorating a tree that will be auctioned on line by United Way Thunder Bay (Shelley Crawford). Drop off depot for decorations is Econo Lodge with thanks to Leslie Savitsky).
5. Jim Madder presented a cheque for $2500 from the club (to be matched) to Mark Tilbury (LU and PA Rotary) for a student named award.
6. Our club is issuing a media release relating to our Rotary district awards, tomorrow. Stay tuned.
7. Wilderness Discovery Camp is blanketed by light snow, but the staff quarters have been recently painted (B. Tomlinson).
8. Past-president Laurie Tulloch is recovering from major surgery at TBRHSC...let him know you are thinking of him (emails a good route to go).
9. Rotary Radio Day ad sales are picking up steam. Keep up the good work (Matt Villella).
10. Mark Tilbury askes all members to fill out the bio survey asap and email to Shelley Crawford (shelley_crawford@rogers.com).
O Canada was rendered from CBC Archives and was very attractive (thanks to K.Holloway)
Jim Madder acknowledged the land we are situated on and then introduced our speaker
FEATURE PRESENTATION
Rotarian Dr. Dimiter Alexandrov: PhD, Technical University of Sofia, Bulgaria is Head of the Semiconductor Research Laboratory at Lakehead University. He has a number of high profile research interests and has recently been acknowledged for his (published) work on Low Energy Nuclear Reactions (LENR).
Setting the stage for his work on an emerging novel prototype for a controlled, practical energy source devoid of both radiation release and radioactive waste, he reviewed the basics on nuclear energy physics: first nuclear fission, second, nuclear fusion.
The early experiments led to uncontrolled massive energy release, typified by explosion bombs (eg the Manhattan project-1945, by fission reaction) and later the hydrogen bomb ( by fusion-1956), which of course had very adverse effects on the planet and humanity. More controlled fission technologies (eg CANDU reactors) still have the disadvantages we hear about every day.
In Dr. Alexandrov's lab, he found that by fusing deuterium with a solid metal eg palladium) he could get helium and energy release (demonstrated by a glowing coil in his video). This is low energy in scale but sufficient for commercial application, in theory.
Down the line he foresees a new fossil free (thus carbon emission free), radioactive free, radioactive, waste free, scalable, portable, source of clean energy. This might even be a godsend for remote communities and importantly would be controllable. Very exciting technology in the offing!
This is important work and it is being developed right here at Lakehead University.
Jim Madder thanked Dr. Alexandrov for this remarkable research and attendees responded enthusiastically as well.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANNOUNCEMENT HIGHLIGHTS (see also President Madder's communique)
1.Salvation Army Kettles: A few openings remain for December 11th (contact Bill Green)
2. Dew Drop Inn: a fulsome day assisting 370 people was held November 25th (D. Silliman)
3. Catch the Ace: Albert Brulé extols this important activity in support of 4 worthy recipients
4. The O Christmas tree project has been modified: unfortunately the pop up market will be deferred til next year. Our club is still decorating a tree that will be auctioned on line by United Way Thunder Bay (Shelley Crawford). Drop off depot for decorations is Econo Lodge with thanks to Leslie Savitsky).
5. Jim Madder presented a cheque for $2500 from the club (to be matched) to Mark Tilbury (LU and PA Rotary) for a student named award.
6. Our club is issuing a media release relating to our Rotary district awards, tomorrow. Stay tuned.
7. Wilderness Discovery Camp is blanketed by light snow, but the staff quarters have been recently painted (B. Tomlinson).
8. Past-president Laurie Tulloch is recovering from major surgery at TBRHSC...let him know you are thinking of him (emails a good route to go).
9. Rotary Radio Day ad sales are picking up steam. Keep up the good work (Matt Villella).
10. Mark Tilbury askes all members to fill out the bio survey asap and email to Shelley Crawford (shelley_crawford@rogers.com).