Mixed-layer illite/smectite (I/S) was formed by reacting the Chambers or Polkville montmorillonite hydrothermally at 270° and 350°C from several hours to more than 15 weeks. Reactions were conducted in closed vessels containing K or mixed K-Na, K-Ca, or K-Mg solutions of varying concentrations. The reaction rate and the rate of ordering of I/S for the reaction smectite + K+ → mixed-layer I/S + SiO2 was inhibited by the addition of Na+ Ca2+, and Mg2+; the inhibitory strength of Na+, Ca2+ and Mg2+, on an equivalent basis, increased approximately in the ratio 1:10:30. The first order reaction-rate constants for the reactions at 270° and 350°C indicate an activation energy of about 30 kcal/mole.

In the experimental system studied, the reaction smectite → mixed-layer I/S appeared to proceed by solid state transformation, as suggested by: (1) rapid dissolution of large amounts of silica, probably creating an Al-enriched residue; (2) similarity of particle size and morphology of the mixed-layer products to those of the original montmorillonite, implying no extensive dissolution of Al3+; and (3) relatively high activation energy compared to published values for silicate dissolution.

One of the best methods to investigate and calculate a desired quantity using available limited data is the Bayesian statistical method, which has been recently entered the field of nuclear astrophysics and can be used to evaluate the astrophysical S-factors, the cross sections and, as a result, the nuclear reaction rates of Big Bang Nucleosynthesis. This study tries to calculate the astrophysical S-factor and the rate of reaction T(d,n)4He as an important astrophysical reaction with the help of this method in energies lower that electron repulsive barrier, and for this purpose, it uses the R-Software, which leads to improved results in comparison with the non-Bayesian methods for the mentioned reaction rate.

Studies of the paragenesis of authigenic illite in arkosic sandstones of various regions and ages have revealed that the illitization of kaolinite is an important reaction accounting for the formation of authigenic illite in sandstones during burial diagenesis. The illitization of kaolinite takes place at an intermediate burial depth of 3–4 km, where pressure can reach values of 100 MPa (≈ 1000 bars). The purpose of the present study was to analyze the effect of pressure on the rate of kaolinite illitization in alkaline conditions. Hydrothermal reactions were conducted on KGa-1b kaolinite in KOH solution at 300°C and under pressures of 500, 1000, and 3000 bars for 1 to 24 h. The visual examination of the X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns indicated a notable influence of pressure on the reaction rate. Molar percentages of muscovite/illite formed at each time interval were calculated from the analysis of two diagnostic XRD peaks, representing the 060 reflections of kaolinite and muscovite/illite. The data were modeled to obtain the initial rate of conversion at each pressure. The results indicated that the initial rate of kaolinite to muscovite/illite conversion is one order of magnitude greater at 3000 bars than at 500 or 1000 bars. Comparison of these data with those in the literature show a faster conversion rate (several orders of magnitude) in an initially high-alkaline solution than in a near-neutral solution.

Földes and Pokol in their letter “Inertial fusion without compression does not work either with or without nanoplasmonics” criticized our works. Here, we refute their argumentation. Our proposed improvement is the combination of two basic research discoveries: (i) the possibility of detonations on space-time hypersurfaces with time-like normal (i.e., simultaneous detonation in a whole volume) and (ii) to increase the ignition volume to the whole target, by regulating the laser light absorption using nanoantennas. These principles can be realized in an in-line, one-dimensional configuration, in the simplest way with two opposing laser beams as in particle colliders.