>> PYROFUSION: A ROOM-TEMPERATURE, PALM-SIZED NUCLEAR FUSION
 >> DEVICE has been reported by a UCLA collaboration, potentially
 >> leading to new kinds of fusion devices and other novel
 >> applications such as microthrusters for MEMS spaceships.

 MvdV> Another cold fusion story? Is this a hoax?

A good question!

 >> a copper disc which itself is surmounted by a tungsten probe.
 >> They cool and then heat the crystal, which creates an electric
 >> potential energy  of about 120 kilovolts at its surface.

 MvdV> There we have it: Eenrgy isn't expressed in Volts!

Perhaps a typo?  They meant to say an electric potential of 120 kV?

 >> The electric field at the end of the tungsten probe tip is so
 >> high (25 V/nm) that it strips electrons from nearby deuterium
 >> atoms.

 MvdV> 25 V/m is not a strong field. Certainly not enough to strip
 MvdV> electrons.

No.  But 25 V/nm is nine orders of magnitude larger than 25 V/m.

:-)

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