How Does Nuclear Catalysis Differ from Traditional Catalysis?
Traditional catalysis primarily involves the use of chemical substances or enzymes to accelerate chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy. In contrast, nuclear catalysis leverages nuclear reactions to achieve similar or even more profound effects. For instance, the use of neutron bombardment can induce changes in the electronic structure of materials, making them more reactive. Additionally, since nuclear reactions can release large amounts of energy, they can drive endothermic reactions that would otherwise be non-spontaneous under normal conditions.
