<i>&gt; Cold fusion IS theoretically impossible</i><p>I think that&#x27;s a bit strong. Nuclear theory does not say the energy isn&#x27;t there (as the subject article of this comment thread points out). It also does not say it is impossible for the potential barrier between the nuclei (which is what makes it necessary to have high temperatures for conventional fusion to work) to be lowered somehow; someone upthread posted a reference to a conversation with Edward Teller where he basically said that&#x27;s how he would explain cold fusion if it turned out to be true--the nuclear analogue of a chemical catalyst, lowering the activation energy required. It only says we don&#x27;t currently know of any mechanism for lowering the potential barrier.