Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Measurement and analysis of neutron and gamma-ray emission rates, other fusion products, and power in electrochemical cells having Pd cathodes

  • Special Issue: U.S. Department of Energy Workshop on Cold Fusion Phenomena. Part I
  • Published:
Journal of Fusion Energy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Results of experiments intended to reproduce cold fusion phenomena originally reported by Fleischmann, Pons, and Hawkins are presented. These experiments were performed on a pair of matched electrochemical cells containing 0.1×9 cm Pd rods that were operated for 10 days. The cells were analyzed by the following means: (1) constant temperature calorimetry, (2) neutron counting and γ-ray spectroscopy, (3) mass spectral analysis of4He in effluent gases, and4He and3He within the Pd metal, (4) tritium analysis of the electrolyte solution, and (5) x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of the Pd cathode surface. Within estimated levels of accuracy, no excess power output or any other evidence of fusion products was detected.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. M. Fleischmann, S. Pons, and M. Hawkins (1989).J. Electroanal. Chem.,261, 301;263, 187.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. S. E. Jones, E. P. Palmer, J. B. Czirr, D. L. Decker, G. L. Jensen, J. M. Thorne, S. F. Taylor, and J. Rafelski (1989).Nature,338, 737.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. A. DeNinno, A Frattolillo, G. Lollobattista, L. Martinia, M. Martone, L. Mori, S. Fodda, and F. Scaramuzzi (1989).Europhys. Lett.,9, 221.

    Google Scholar 

  4. R. D. Petrasso, X. Chen, K. W. Wenzel, R. R. Parker, C. K. Li, and C. Fiore (1989).Nature,339, 183;667.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. M. Fleischmann (1989). As we have repeatedly pointed out, we are well aware of the deficiencies of these [γ-ray] spectra. 175th Meeting of the Electrochemical Society, Los Angeles, California, May 1989; J. Maddox (1989).Nature,340, 15.

  6. M. Fleischmann, S. Pons, M. Hawkins, and R. J. Hoffman (1989).Nature,339, 667.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. A. J. Appleby, S. Srinivasan, Y. J. Kim, O. J. Murphy, and C. R. Martin (1989). Presented at the Workshop on Cold Fusion Phenomena, Santa Fe, New Mexico, May 23–25.

  8. A. Belzner, U. Bischler, S. Crouch-Baker, T. M. Gur, F. Lucier, M. Schreiber, and R. A. Huggins (1989). Presented at the Workshop on Cold Fusion Phenomena, Santa Fe, New Mexico, May 23–25.

  9. K. L. Wolf, N. Packham, J. Shoemaker, F. Cheng, and D. Lawson (1989). Presented at the Workshop on Cold Fusion Phenomena, Santa Fe, New Mexico, May 23–25.

  10. Meeting abstracts and abstracts selected for poster sessions. (1989). Workshop on Cold Fusion Phenomena, Santa Fe, New Mexico, May 23–25.

  11. G. Horanyi (1989).Electrochim. Acta,34, 889.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. S. E. Koonin and M. Nauenberg (1989).Nature,339, 690.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. A. J. Leggett and G. Baym (1989).Nature,340, 45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. 179th American Chemical Society National Meeting, Dallas, Texas, April 1989.

  15. 175th Meeting of the Electrochemical Society, Los Angeles, California, May 1989.

  16. F. K. McGowanet al. (1969).Nuclear Data Tables,A6, 353;A8, 199 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  17. S. E. Jones (1986)Nature,321, 127.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. T. Graham (1966).Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. (London),156 415.

    Google Scholar 

  19. F. A. Lewis (1967),The Palladium Hydrogen System (Academic Press, London)

    Google Scholar 

  20. J. E. Worsham, Jr., M. K. Wilkinson and C. G. Shull (1957).J. Phys. Chem. Soln.,3, 303.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. L. L. Lohr,J. Phys. Chem. (1989),93, 4697.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Z. Sun and D. Tománek (1989).Phys. Rev. Lett.,63, 59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. D. P. Smith (1948)Hydrogen in Metals (The University of Chicago Press, Chicago).

    Google Scholar 

  24. E. Wicke, H. Brodowsky, and H. Züchner (1978). InHydrogen in Metals II, Topics in Applied Physics (Vol. 29) G. Alefeld and J. Völkl, eds. (Springer-Verlag, Berlin), Vol. 29.

    Google Scholar 

  25. G. Sicking (1972).Ber. Bunsenges. Phys. Chem.,76, 790.

    Google Scholar 

  26. W. F. Reilly (1959), Construction and calibration of a standard pile, M. S. Thesis, M.I.T., Cambridge, MA, (b) M. E. Anderson,Nucl Appl.,4, 142 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  27. J. P. Hoare (1985). InStandard Potentials in Aqueous Solutions (Chap. 4), A. J. Bard, R. Parsons, and J. Jordan, eds. (Dekker, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  28. C. Walling and J. Simons (1989).J. Phys. Chem.,93, 4693.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. G. J. Thomas and J. M. Mintz (1983).J. Nucl. Mat.,116, 336; T. Schober (1986). InHydrogen in Disordered and Amorphous Solids, G. Bambakidis and R. C. Bowman, Jr., eds. (Plenum, New York), pp. 377–396.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, edited by R. C. Weast, (CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 1985), p. F156.

    Google Scholar 

  31. M. D. Kurz, W. J. Jenkins, and S. R. Hart,Nature,297, 6, 43 (1982).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. M. D. Kurz, W. J. Jenkins, J. C. Schilling, and S. R. Hart,Earth Planet. Sci. Lett.,58, 1 (1982).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Brian Oliver, Rocketdyne Division, Rockwell International, Canoga Park, CA.

  34. P. Laibinis, J. Hickman, M. S. Wrighton, and G. Whitesides (1989).Science (in press).

  35. M. P. Seah and W. A. Dench (1979).Surface and Interface Analysis,1, 2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. D. C. Boyd and D. A. Thompson (1980).Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology (Wiley, New York), pp. 807–880.

    Google Scholar 

  37. The Corning Laboratory Catalogue (1988). (Corning Science Products, Corning, New York), p. T7.

  38. P. Malachesky, R. Jasinski, and B. Burrow (1967).J. Electrochem. Soc.,114, 1104; S. Ya. Vasina, O. A. Petrii, and V. A. Safanov (1981).Elektrokhimiya 17, 270.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. T. Maoka and N. Enyo (1981).Electrochim. Acta,26, 607.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. J. M. Sherfey and A. Brenner (1958).J. Electrochem. Soc.,105, 665.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. A. J. Bard and L. R. Faulkner (1980).Electrochemical Methods (Chap. 3) (Wiley, New York).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Mark S. Wrighton

    Present address: Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 02139, Cambridge, Massachusetts

  2. Ronald R. Parker

    Present address: Plasma Fusion Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 02139, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 02139, Cambridge, Massachusetts

    David Albagli, Vince Cammarata, Richard M. Crooks & Martin O. Schloh

  2. Plasma Fusion Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 02139, Cambridge, Massachusetts

    X. Chen, Catherine Fiore, Marcel P. J. Gaudreau, C. K. Li, Paul Linsay, Stanley C. Luckhardt, Richard D. Petrasso & Kevin W. Wenzel

  3. Department of Nuclear Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 02139, Cambridge, Massachusetts

    Ron Ballinger & I. Hwang

  4. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 02139, Cambridge, Massachusetts

    Ron Ballinger & I. Hwang

Authors
  1. David Albagli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ron Ballinger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Vince Cammarata
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. X. Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Richard M. Crooks
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Catherine Fiore
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Marcel P. J. Gaudreau
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. I. Hwang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. C. K. Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Paul Linsay
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Stanley C. Luckhardt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  12. Ronald R. Parker
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  13. Richard D. Petrasso
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  14. Martin O. Schloh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  15. Kevin W. Wenzel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  16. Mark S. Wrighton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Albagli, D., Ballinger, R., Cammarata, V. et al. Measurement and analysis of neutron and gamma-ray emission rates, other fusion products, and power in electrochemical cells having Pd cathodes. J Fusion Energ 9, 133–148 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02627578

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02627578

Key words

Search

Navigation