Session B16: Cold Fusion

Electrodynamic Component of Pd Electrical Conductivity

The electrical resistance of Pd$_1$$_-$$_x$D$_x$, [$\rho_P$$_d$] has been used to estimate loading\footnote{Bambakidis, G., et al, Phys. Rev. 177, 1044 - 1048, 1969}$^,$\footnote{McKubre, M. et al, ICCF-1, 1990.}. We discuss with experimental evidence that $\rho_P$$_d$ has electrodynamic components; some may trigger Lattice Assisted Nuclear Reactions (LANR). Type ``B'' (anode plate) Pd/D2O/Pt Phusor$^T$$^M$ LANR devices\footnote{Swartz, M, Fusion Technology, 31, 228-236, 1997.}$^,$\footnote{Swartz, M, Fusion Technology, 31, 228-236, 1997.} (excess heat $\approx$ 175 percent, 1.99 watts) demonstrate two time constants of $\rho_P$$_d$(t). The first ($<$ 5 seconds) is not from deuteron loading. Also, at high loading, Type ``B'' systems produce an instability oscillation. These possible electrodynamic effects, and the supralinear rise of $\rho_P$$_d$, may trigger, or maintain, LANR.   

Study Of The Palladium Hydrogen - Deuterium System

Electrochemical deposition of metals from hexagonal lyotropic liquid crystalline phases produces metal films with a unique ordered nanostructure in which the cylindrical pores of 1.7 to 3.5 nm running through the film are arranged in hexagonal array\footnote{Attard, G. S, el al, Mesoporous Science 1997, 278, (31), 838- 840.}$^,$\footnote{Attard, G. S, et al, Langmuir 1998, 14, 7340- 7342.}$^,$\footnote{Attard, G. S.; Goeltner, C. G.; Corker, J. M.; Henke, S.; Templer, R. H., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 1997, 36, 1315-1317.}. Nanostructured Pd films were deposited electrochemically from the template mixture of either C$_{16}$EO$_8$ or Brij56. Electrochemical studies showed that the metal films have a high electroactive surface area with the specific surface area of the order of 91 m$^2$/g. These values together with the TEM and X-ray data are consistent with the expected H$_1$ nanostructure. The hydrogen region of nanostructured Pd in the cyclic voltammetry in 1 M H$_2$SO$_4$ was more resolved than that of plain Pd because of the thin walls of the nanostructure and the high surface area. We could distinguish the hydrogen adsorption and absorption processes. The permeation of hydrogen into the Pd metal lattice occurs with fast kinetics when the Pd surface is blocked by either crystal violet or Pt.   

Investigation of the Cold Fusion Phenomenon in the Surface Region of Hydrogen Non-occlusive Metal Catalysts; W, Pt, and Au

There are several experimental data sets showing occurrence of the cold fusion phenomenon (CFP) in such contact metallic catalysts which do not occlude hydrogen isotopes such as tungsten (W), platinum (Pt) and gold (Au). These metals do not occlude hydrogen isotopes and are different from such hydrogen occlusive transition metals usually used in the cold fusion (CF) experiments such as Ti, Ni, and Pd. The non-occlusive isotopes and give us precious information about mechanisms facilitating formation of specific matter for the CFP (CF matter) in the cold fusion material. In the electrolysis experiments with these metals as electrodes and with several electrolytes in light or heavy water, transmuted nuclides were observed in the surface layer of the electrodes. The generated nuclides were localized in areas with a diameter of around a few $\mu$m in the surface layer of thickness less than 103 nm. These specific nuclides observed in the host metals, W, Pt and Au, depend on the composition of the electrolyte.   

Sonofusion: Squeezed Deuteron Clusters, With Small Size, High Energy Density but No High Energy Particles

Inertial confined fusion when viewed as a natural process compares with sonofusion's electromagnetically squeezed deuteron cluster. Sonofusion capitalizes on its very small size and its higher energy densities. It is a relatively cool process, with the endothermic removal of heat, 13.6 ev, from a target implanted with clusters of deuterons; the fusion environment. The energy densities approach those of the deuteron sepaaration in muon DD fusion. This helps explain sonofusion's experimental results of heat and helium four.   

Time-Dependent Changes in Morphology and Composition of Solid Particles Collected From Heavy Water Electrolyte after Electrolysis with a Palladium Cathode

Recently, we have observed particles floating on the surfaces of electrolytes after electrolysis, in four cells, each of which contained a heavy water electrolyte and a Pd cathode. Solid particles were unexpected from electrolysis, so it seemed important to characterize these particles. Cu grids were used to collect particles from the electrolyte surface. Then, a scanning electron microscope ( SEM ) and an energy dispersive spectrometer ( EDS ) were used to study the surfaces of these particles and to record time-dependent changes which were occurring. The morphology and composition of the particles were determined . After storage at ambient for 11 days, there were large changes in the morphology and composition of the particles. For example, one portion of the particles contained a large number of microspheres. A typical microsphere contained mostly carbon and palladium, whereas the matrix near the microsphere contained mostly palladium with less carbon and a significant amount of silver. One day later the same microsphere had increased carbon and reduced palladium, but there was no significant change in the composition of the matrix. Results for other particles from other cells will also be presented.   

Study of methods to increase cluster/dislocation loop densities in electrodes

Recent research has developed a technique for imbedding ultra-high density deuterium ``clusters'' (50 to 100 atoms per cluster) in various metals such as Palladium (Pd), Beryllium (Be) and Lithium (Li). It was found the thermally dehydrogenated PdHx retained the clusters and exhibited up to 12 percent lower resistance compared to the virginal Pd samples\footnote{A. G. Lipson, et al. Phys. Solid State. 39 (1997) 1891}. SQUID measurements showed that in Pd these condensed matter clusters approach metallic conditions, exhibiting superconducting properties\footnote{A. Lipson, et al. Phys. Rev. B 72, 212507 (2005}\footnote{A. G. Lipson, et al. Phys. Lett. A 339, (2005) 414-423}. If the fabrication methods under study are successful, a large packing fraction of nuclear reactive clusters can be developed in the electrodes by electrolyte or high pressure gas loading. This will provide a much higher low-energy-nuclear- reaction (LENR) rate than achieved with earlier electrode\footnote{Castano, C.H., et al. Proc. ICCF-9, Beijing, China 19-24 May, 2002.}.   

Metal Catalyzed Fusion: Nuclear Active Environment vs. Process

To achieve radiationless dd fusion and/or other LENR reactions via chemistry: some focus on environment of interior or altered near-surface volume of bulk metal; some on environment inside metal nanocrystals or on their surface; some on the interface between nanometal crystals and ionic crystals; some on a momentum shock-stimulation reaction process. Experiment says there is also a spontaneous reaction process.   

Potential Role of Energy Band Theory in Finite Solids and in Resonant Phenomena Involving Metal-Induced Fusion and the Fleischmann-Pons Effect

Considerable confusion occurred from a speculative conjecture that Talbot Chubb and I suggested in 1989, concerning the potential role of conventional energy band theory in the ``cold fusion'' claims, suggested by Fleischmann and Pons.\footnote{David Lindley, Nature 344, 375 (1990).}. Two important reasons for this are related to: 1. Misconceptions, about what was taking place in the experiments, and 2. Limitations of conventional energy band theory. In particular, Talbot Chubb and I proposed the idea that deuterium nuclei (deuterons) could occupy energy band states or have overlap with these kinds of states with ``unforeseen'' consequences, including, the possibility of nuclear fusion. Conventional energy band theory has limitations, associated with the underlying quantum mechanics. Talbot Chubb and I have investigated an important problem, relating to extending conventional energy band theory, as it applies to infinitely-repeating ordered crystals, to finite crystal lattices, where energy band theory can be re-expressed more precisely through resonant or nearly-resonant effects and the ``conventional'' Coulomb Barrier problem of fusion can be replaced by a considerably richer problem.   

Wave nature of the deuterium flux permeating palladium thin film

In the past 20 year research on Condensed matter Nuclear Science, the deuterium flux permeating palladium has been found correlated with the ``excess heat''\footnote{J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys.36 3095(2003)}. An experiment was conducted to reveal the wave nature of the deuterium flux permeating Pd thin film. at the temperature higher than the boiling point of the heavy water. The deuterium flux through Pd thin film was considered as a monotonic function of the thickness of the Pd film because the diffusion theory (Fick's Law) was applied. Indeed the deuteron could not be treated as a granular particle at low energy. It should be treated as a wave, because its de Broglie wave length is comparable with the lattice constant of the Pd crystal (3.84 Anstrons). When the titanium carbide (TiC) thin layer was sputtered on the surface of the Pd subtrate alternatively with Pd layers, we found that the flux might increase with the number of the layers first; then, it decreased after reaching a peak. which is the characteristics of a wave.   

Isomorphic Properties of Atoms, Molecules, Water, DNA, Crystals, Earth, SolarSystem and Galaxies

We discuss the cooperative resonance synchronization enhancement mechanisms of Low Energy Nuclear Reactions (LENR). Some of the low energy external fields can be used as triggers for starting and enhancing exothermic LENR. Any external field shortening distances between protons in nuclei and electrons in atoms should enhance beta-decay (capture) or double-beta decay (capture). We have proposed a new mechanism of LENR: cooperative resonance synchronization processes in the whole system nuclei+atoms+condensed matter+gaseuos+plasma medium, which we suggest can occur at a smaller threshold than the corresponding ones on free constituents. The cooperative processes can be induced and enhanced by low energy external fields. The excess heat is the emission of internal energy, and transmutations at LENR are the result of redistribution inner energy of the whole system.