Controlled Electron Capture and Low Energy Nuclear Reactions

Francis Tanzella
Michael McKubre
SRI International, Menlo Park, CA USA
Robert Godes
Robert George
Brillouin Energy Corporation, Berkeley, CA USA

Presented at the 17h International Conference on Condensed Matter Nuclear Science

Daejeon, Korea
August 13, 2012

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Outline
Background Controlled Electron Capture Hypothesis Experimental
Open-Cell Pd-H2O Electrolysis Pressurized Cell Ni-H2O Electrolysis Stimulation Method Calorimetry Methods

Results
Open-Cell Pressurized Cell

Summary and Conclusions Future Work

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Background: Stimulation Leads to Anomalous Effects

Celani, et al.: Microsecond pulse electrolysis yields excess power Electromigration leads to high loading and yields excess power Fusion Technology, 29, 398 (1996) Dardik, et al.: Multiple frequency stimulation yields high loading and generates excess power ICCF15 Conference Proceedings, 307 (2012) DeNinno, Scaramuzzi, et al.: Axial current through PdDx yields high loading and generates excess power ICCF8 Conference Proceedings, 70, 47 (2000) Mengoli, et al.: Axial current through PdDx increases loading and gives nuclear effects (i. e. n0) Nuovo Cimento A, 108A, 1187 (1995) Celani, Tripodi, et al.: Low concentration electrolyte (high electrolytic and axial voltage) yields excess power Physics Letters A, 276, 122 (2000)
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Hypothesis: Controlled Electron Capture Reaction

LENR (LANR?) catalyzes the reverse of the exothermic reaction:

n p + + 782keV

Spatial confinement in lattice raises the energy of dissolved hydrogen. In combination with effects of nonbonding energy raises total value of Hamiltonian comprising coulomb, nonbonding, and confinement. A Hamiltonian with 782keV can cause a proton to capture an electron to yield an ultra cold neutron. A Hamiltonian with 3MeV allows a deuteron to capture an electron and form a di-neutron. Newly generated neutron(s) in a lattice will react with hydrogen isotopes which tunnel into the same lattice position (< 1ns) This process could be successive ending with:
4

H 4 He + + (17 21MeV )
4

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Hypothesis: Possible Controlled Electron Capture Reactions

p + 782KeV + e- n + e p + n d + 2.2MeV d + n T + 6.3MeV T + n 4H + (?MeV)
4H

4He + + e + (17 - 21)MeV

d + (up to 3MeV) + e- 2n + e 2n + d 4H + (?MeV)

4H

4He + + e + (17 - 21)MeV

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Experimental: Calorimetry

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Experimental: Calorimetry
Heat transfer fluid (MobileTherm 603) recirculating through coil in electrolyte 98% of resistive heater input recovered Up to 200C and up to 130bar. A re-circulating chiller (Neslab RTE111) A 100MHz Fluke 196C oscilloscope meter, operating in "AC (rms) + DC" mode, The only input to the system is electric power and the only output from the system is heat Heat losses at different temperatures measured

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Results: Open Cell

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Results: Pressurized Cell

Ni/H2O electrolysis 50% Excess power most of the 66 hour run Pulse: Swept repetition rate, stepped amplitude, third proprietary function

Fig. 3. Plot of power and temperature versus time for Experiment 1

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Results: Pressurized Cell

Ni/H2O Electrolysis 50% Excess Power over 14 hours Pulse: Swept Rep. rate, stepped amplitude, third proprietary function, constant Pin

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Results: Pressurized Cell

Continuation of Ni/H2O Electrolysis on last slide Excess Power jumped from 55% to 70% Pulse function parameters changed with minimal change in input power

Fig. 5. Calorimetric results from Experiment 3 continued

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Results: Pressurized Cell

Part of Ni/H2O electrolysis experiment Excess Power 75% for 11 hours, 80% for 7 hours Pulse function parameters changed with no change in input power

Fig. 6. Calorimetric results from Experiment 4

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Results: Pressurized Cell

Part of Ni/H2O electrolysis experiment Excess Power 100% for 6 hours Pulse function parameters changed with minimal change in input power

Fig. 7. Calorimetric results from Experiment 5

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Results: Pressurized Cell

Part of Ni/H2O electrolysis experiment Excess Power alternated between 0 and 20% Alternating pulse repetition rate led to Pxs alternating between 0 and 20%

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Results: Pressurized Cell

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Summary
LENR reactions reportedly stimulated by axial electrical pulses Excess power reported in axial electrical pulse LENR experiments Over 150 experiments and two different cell/calorimeter designs. Pd/H2O and Ni/H2O electrolysis Excess power always seen where Q pulses are tuned to the resonance of the hydride conductors Excess power on demand using light water electrolysis after finding resonance

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Conclusions
Excess power >100% possible in Ni/H2O system Pulsed axial and cathode voltage give excess power in our system Excess power depends on pulse repetition rate Other proprietary pulse parameters necessary to give 25 100% Pxs CEC hypothesis (mechanism) may be wrong, but .. Experimental conditions and results are consistent with CEC hypothesis Should work with any metal that confines hydrogen isotopes to allow for CEC reactions

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Future Work

Gas phase H2 or D2 on high surface area Ni Higher Temperatures (~500C) Useful temperature and heat Expect even higher excess power Hopefully adequate for path to commercialization

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