Introduction to New Energy Times Index of LENR Experimental Methodologies

Source: © New Energy Times. If you wish to reproduce any part of this index, please contact New Energy Times. Low-energy nuclear reaction researchers have used at least two dozen methods to perform LENR experiments. This index describes the more common methods. New Energy Times first presented a condensed version of this Index of LENR Experimental Methodologies at the American Nuclear Society meeting in November 2012. On May 22, 2013, we published a more detailed listing of the index here.

In the 1920s, when researchers searched primarily for transmutations, the typical experimental method they used was a high electric current rapidly introduced to a thin wire, causing it to explode.

When Martin Fleischmann and Stanley Pons reinvigorated the field in 1989 and searched primarily for excess heat, they used low-voltage electrolysis. Several months later, Francesco Piantelli developed an alternative method of loading hydrogen gas onto the surface of metals. Other researchers, as shown below, developed their own innovative approaches.

Low-voltage electrolysis has been a favorite for its relative simplicity and low cost, but it has been the least successful in producing repeatable results and in proving a nuclear effect. Searches for excess heat are enticing and may get the attention of entrepreneurs because the heat may eventually lead to needed practical applications. However, heat is evanescent and makes a difficult proof for nuclear phenomena; in addition, heat teaches little about the nuclear mechanism.

On the other hand, searches for isotopic or elemental changes provide direct information about the mechanism and produce long-lasting nuclear evidence. Researchers who have conducted experiments in attempts to find isotopic or elemental changes have found that such experiments work more repeatably and more reproducibly.

The comprehensive Widom-Larsen theory of LENRs enables the following varied experimental methods and their results to be understood within a common conceptual framework. Among these methods listed below, an even more diverse collection of protocols and instrumentation choices exist for many of them.

Basic Steps in LENR Experiments

Source: © New Energy Times. If you wish to reproduce any part of this index, please contact New Energy Times.
In 1991, Mahadeva Srinivasan made a list of the basic steps involved in most LENR experiments. Two decades later, the essential steps are the same and apply to most of the methods. Here is his list, slightly edited:

1. Choice of experimental method.
2. Choice of host metal/alloy: Pd, Ni, Ti, Zr, Mg, V, Nb-Ti, any hydrogen-storing alloy; even a high-temperature superconductor.
3. Preparation of samples: degassing, surface cleaning, annealing.
4. Choice of and loading of deuterium/hydrogen: electrolysis, gas, plasma, ion implantation, etc.
5. Measurement of degree of deuterium/hydrogen loading (or D(H)-to-metal atomic ratio): weighing, volume increase, resistivity, X-ray diffraction, etc.
6. Stimulation/triggering of reactions to create non-equilibrium conditions: current pulsing, thermal cycling, electrical discharge, application of electric or magnetic field, pressure changes, ultrasound, low-power laser, shock wave, projectile impact, etc. In many cases, particularly with electrolysis, anomalies do not occur when the system is in equilibrium.
7. On-line diagnostic analyses: heat, neutrons, X-rays, helium-4 (online), gamma rays, thermal imaging, acoustic or pressure waves, radio emissions.
8. Off-line diagnostics or post-experiment analysis: Isotopic anomalies, elemental changes, charged particles, neutrons via CR-39 with or without absorber, helium-4 (offline,) helium-3, tritium.
9. Theoretical interpretation, modeling, analysis.

Among these methods listed below, an even more diverse collection of protocols and instrumentation choices exist for each method.

Source: © New Energy Times. If you wish to reproduce any part of this index, please contact New Energy Times.
Category: Electrolytic Methods

Electrolysis in Heavy Water
Electrolysis in Light Water
Electrolysis with Low-Power Laser
Electrodiffusion with Double-Structure Cathode
High-Voltage Plasma Electrolysis in D2O or H2O
Electrolytic Co-Deposition
Thin-Film Electrolysis in Packed Bed
Thin-Film Electrolysis on Substrate

Category: Gas Methods

Gas Loading on Bulk Metal (Rod or Wire)
Gas Absorption Into Metal Nano-Powder
Gas Plasma - Glow Discharge
Gas Permeation Through Thin Films
Gas Permeation Through Thin Metals

Category: Unique Methods

Exploding Wires
Electron Beam Impact
Sonic Implantation
Biological Processes
Electromigration Through Solid-State Proton Conductors
Carbon Arc Experiments
Hydrogen Loading of Phenanthrene

Change Log

May 26, 2013 Update
Exploding Wires: Image text updated: “Vacuum with hydrogen monolayer or filled with D2 or H2”

May 24, 2013 Update
Electrolysis in Heavy Water: Added “(Typical electrodes for all D2O cells.)”
Electrolysis in Heavy Water: Text in “Typical Configuration” corrected
Electrolysis in Light Water: Added “(Typical electrodes for all H2O cells.)”
Thin-Film Electrolysis in Packed Bed: "Pt anodes“ changed to “Pt electrodes”
Thin-Film Electrolysis on Substrate: Added: “Pt anode”
Gas Loading on Bulk Metal (Rod or Wire): Corrected to say “D2 or H2”
Petronuclear Hydrogen Loading of Phenanthrene: Change “benzine” to “benzene”