Earlier this month, Solid State Fusion (SSF) team members participated in the 16th International Workshop on Anomalies in Hydrogen Loaded Metals (IWAHLM-16) in Strasbourg, France. The Anthropocene Institute was a co-sponsor of this workshop. The workshop, held from September 2 to 4, honored the late Bill Collis, whose dedication and skilled leadership were instrumental in organizing many previous IWAHLM events and doing much work for the International Society of Condensed Matter Nuclear Science (ISCMNS).

On September 2, the first session began with a poignant remembrance of Bill Collis, with colleagues sharing fond memories of his passion and commitment to advancing cold fusion research. Jacques Ruer and Jean-Paul Biberian offered heartfelt reflections on Collis's contributions to the IWAHLM workshops and the broader LENR community. They emphasized his charm, humor, and unwavering dedication to the field. Lynn Bowen, Alan Smith, and Mike McKubre also spoke, and McKubre's message was delivered via a recorded speech. Their tributes honored Collis’s pivotal role in organizing the workshops, his leadership in advancing LENR research, and his lasting impact on the scientific community​. Collis was remembered for his generous spirit and tireless work, and his legacy continues to inspire the international community of researchers and innovators in this diverse field.

Reflecting this diversity, the event was packed with engaging scientific discussions and presentations. Among the notable presentations, David Nagel, a longtime expert in LENR, delivered an insightful review of the field’s history and prospects. He pointed out several promising areas of inquiry that could unlock new understandings of cold fusion phenomena. Nagel also emphasized the importance of moving from early experimental successes to more reproducible, reliable results, offering a roadmap for future research. Other scientists, like George Egely, echoed this goal in later presentations.

SSF’s Jonah Messinger followed with a presentation of his team’s model, which predicts observable LENR rates, building on Peter Hagelstein’s insights from previous research. His talk synthesized data across the field, providing a fresh taxonomy of LENR anomalies to help connect research projects and foster collaboration. SSF team member Matt Lilley also highlighted the utility of quantum simulations in LENR research, demonstrating the QuTiP software suite, supported by the Anthropocene Institute, as an open-source tool for advancing solid-state fusion research.

As the week progressed, researchers like Jirohta Kasagi, Yasuhiro Iwamura, and Frank Gordon explored anomalous effects observed during their experiments. Kasagi shared detailed measurements of anomalous heat effects. Yasuhiro Iwamura presented his research on anomalous heat generation in nanostructured nickel composites. His experiments also resulted in significant heat bursts, exceeding what could be explained by chemical processes. Kasagi and Iwamura’s research is part of a broader effort by Clean Planet, a Japanese company dedicated to pioneering quantum hydrogen energy technologies. Iwamura highlighted Clean Planet’s work in developing scalable solutions for clean energy production, particularly focusing on their vision of a decentralized energy future. By partnering with key universities and research institutions, Clean Planet is advancing LENR research and building a robust patent portfolio to ensure the technology is available for diverse global applications

Konrad Czerski and Rakesh Dubey from the University of Szczecin presented findings related to DD fusion reactions in metallic environments. Czerski discussed the role of electron screening effects, which have shown significant enhancement in materials with crystal lattice defects. His experiments at ultra-low energies demonstrated increased reaction rates, offering the potential for more efficient fusion processes. Discussing the material science aspects of the group’s work, Matthieu Valat shared his findings regarding crystal defect transformations in zirconium induced by deuterium implantation, which showed significantly enhanced electron screening effects, further increasing the nuclear reaction rates in their experiments​, and Natalia Targosz-Sleczka presented on their research using a UHV linear accelerator, also focusing on the role of crystal lattice defects and their effect on deuteron-induced reactions in metallic media. ​Rakesh Dubey, also part of the Szczecin team, expanded on these findings by sharing insights from their team's use of large-volume sodium iodide detectors, which are employed to re-examine fusion mechanisms and nuclear signatures. The Anthropocene Insitute continues to support this important research group’s investigations.

There were countless other thought-provoking presentations by researchers across Europe, Asia, and North America. In the spirit of making connections across this rich and varied research, Annasse Bari and David Nagel from NYU shared their experiences harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to advance LENR literature research. Their work includes creating an AI-driven platform to manage and analyze the vast amount of LENR data, ultimately aiding scientists, engineers, and investors in synthesizing information to catalyze and accelerate the commercialization of LENR. These varied approaches, research methodologies, and goals are complementary and contribute to energizing the field.

The SSF team also presented their work during the poster session, highlighting their efforts to build a supportive community for learners, scientists, and investors. Our poster outlined resources on the SSF website, including a scientific research database, educational tools, and interviews with leading figures in the field. The SSF platform aims to foster collaboration and bring fresh talent and investment into the burgeon ing field of solid-state fusion, helping to shape its future.

Throughout the week, the SSF team took the opportunity to network with researchers and explore the historic city of Strasbourg, further strengthening relationships with collaborators. This event fostered critical dialogue between committed scientists working in a dynamic, interdisciplinary, highly rewarding area of research.