Alberto Carpinteri

Abstract:

The present research is based on the ultra-sonic emissions from unstable local phenomena like fracture, turbulence and buckling, occurring in solids and fluids at different scales. At the tectonic scale, Acoustic Emission (AE) prevails, as well as Electro-Magnetic Emission (EME) at the intermediate scales, and Neutron Emission (NE) at the nano-scale. TeraHertz pressure waves are in fact produced at the last extremely small scale, and fracture experiments on natural rocks have recently demonstrated that these high-frequency waves are able to induce nuclear fission reactions with neutron emissions. The same phenomenon appears to have occurred in several different situations, in particular in the chemical evolution of Earth and Solar System through seismicity (rocky planets) and storms (gaseous planets). It can also explain puzzles related to the history of our planet like the ocean formation or the primordial carbon pollution, as well as scientific mysteries like the so-called cold nuclear fusion or the correct radio-carbon dating of organic materials. On the other hand, at the tectonic scale, the different forms of emission might be used as earthquake precursors. At the laboratory scale they could be accompanied by heat generation, whereas at the nano-scale they could explain some cell biology open problems. Therefore, the present proposal intends to apply recently discovered and interdisciplinary phenomena to the solution of open problems representing the following objectives: (i) the environmental protection against seismicity and carbon pollution, (ii) the heat generation from innovative and sustainable systems, and (iii) a better comprehension of some biological mechanisms at the cellular and protein levels.