Viewpoint: Yes, the experiments of Martin Fleischmann and Stanley Pons offered legitimate proof that cold fusion exists, and subsequent efforts by other scientists have supported their claim.

Viewpoint: No, Fleischmann and Pons did not utilize proper control experiments, failed to address errors, and incorrectly used significant figures. Properly conducted experiments by other scientists have not supported their claims.

Nuclear fusion is the coming together of two smaller atomic nuclei to form a larger one, with the release of energy. Nuclei, which consist of protons and neutrons, are positively charged. They tend to repel one other, and it is difficult to get a fusion reaction started.

If the nuclei can be forced very close together, the attractive nuclear force, which is effective only at close range, overcomes the repulsive electro-static force. This is what happens in the hot core of a star, where...