Abstract: A method for generating heat reactions between hydrogen isotopes and a metal catalyst includes placing at least one fuel source within a reactor. The reactor includes an anode and a cathode, wherein the cathode is a metallic vessel, wherein the at least one fuel source comprises a metal substrate thermally sprayed with a metal catalyst, and wherein the at least one fuel source is in thermal and electrical contact with the reactor. The method includes sealing the reactor to produce a vacuum within the reactor. The method includes adding hydrogen to the reactor and adding deuterium to the reactor. The method includes supplying a current to the reactor from a DC power supply.

Abstract: An exothermic reaction assembly includes a reaction chamber and a generator operative to generate an AC electrical signal and apply the signal to the reaction chamber by superimposing the AC signal over a DC signal. A gas manifold and controller is operative to connect a vacuum pump and one or more gas chambers to the reaction chamber and to control a pressure of the reaction chamber. The signal generator is operative to create a plasma in the reaction chamber by superimposing the AC electrical signal to the reaction chamber over the DC signal. The gas manifold and controller are operative to adjust the pressure within the reaction chamber to achieve a predetermined plasma frequency.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for triggering an exothermic reaction in an electrolytic cell using two lasers configured at pre-determined triggering frequencies. The triggering frequencies are determined based on one or more resonant frequencies characteristic of the metal hydride coated on one of the electrodes of the electrolytic cell. Excess power output in the range of 200 through 500 mW is observed when an exothermic reaction is triggered in a dual laser electrolytic cell.

Abstract: A method of plating a metallic substrate to achieve a desired surface coarseness includes: plating a metallic substrate with a source metal using a plating solution containing the source metal to produce a plated layer; and during said plating, varying at least one of multiple plating parameters to achieve a value of a coarseness metric of a surface of the plated layer above a minimum predetermined target value of the coarseness metric. Determining a value of a coarseness metric of a plated layer on a metallic substrate includes obtaining a magnified image of a surface of a plated layer recorded by a magnification device; identifying a path across the magnified image that crosses a plurality of pixels; and determining a contrast among the plurality of pixels.

Abstract: An exothermic reaction of hydrogen/deuterium loaded into a metal or alloy is triggered by controlling the frequency of a hydrogen/deuterium plasma in a reaction chamber. The plasma frequency is controlled by adjusting its electron density, which in turn is controlled by adjusting the pressure within the reaction chamber. An exothermic reaction is generated at certain discrete plasma frequencies, which correspond to the optical phonon modes of D-D, H-D, and H—H bonds within the metal lattice. For example, in palladium metal, the frequencies are 8.5 THz, 15 THz, and 20 THz, respectively.

Abstract: An exothermic reaction assembly includes a reaction chamber and a generator operative to generate an AC electrical signal and apply the signal to the reaction chamber by superimposing the AC signal over a DC signal. A gas manifold and controller is operative to connect a vacuum pump and one or more gas chambers to the reaction chamber and to control a pressure of the reaction chamber. The signal generator is operative to create a plasma in the reaction chamber by superimposing the AC electrical signal to the reaction chamber over the DC signal. The gas manifold and controller are operative to adjust the pressure within the reaction chamber to achieve a predetermined plasma frequency.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for testing simultaneously multiple fuel materials for suitability of producing excess heat. In some embodiments, multiple fuel materials are placed on a substrate with a thermoelectric converter inserted in between each fuel material and the substrate. When a triggering condition is applied, exothermic reactions may be triggered in some of the fuel materials. The voltage output of the thermoelectric converters is a direct measurement of the temperature of each fuel material, which is an indicator of whether an exothermic reaction is taking place in the fuel material. A known fuel material may be included in the testing array to establish the baseline of voltage readings.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for triggering and maintaining an exothermic reaction in a reaction material comprising a metal occluded with hydrogen. The reaction material is prepared by loading a hydrogen absorbing material, e.g., a transition metal, with a hydrogen gas that comprises one or more of hydrogen isotopes. Different conditions and system configurations for triggering the exothermic reaction are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exothermic reaction chamber includes at least one of an annular sleeve hosting a hydrogen-absorbing metal, and an electrode having either an outer diameter greater than 50 percent of the reaction chamber bore diameter, perturbations formed on the electrode outer surface, or both. The anode-to-cathode distance may be varied by controlling either or both of the thickness of the annular sleeve and the electrode diameter. Perturbations on the electrode outer surface, which facilitate electrical discharge, may be formed by winding wire around the electrode in a helical pattern, by machining the electrode, or by drilling holes through the electrode and inserting metal rods having pointed or rounded tips into the holes. Both by reducing the anode-to-cathode distance and via perturbations on the outer surface of the electrode, electrical discharge is enhanced. Electrical discharge may drive more hydrogen (deuterium) ions into the hydrogen-absorbing metal, enhancing the efficiency of exothermic reactions.

Abstract: An exothermic reaction of hydrogen/deuterium loaded into a metal or alloy is triggered by controlling the frequency of a hydrogen/deuterium plasma in a reaction chamber. The plasma frequency is controlled by adjusting its electron density, which in turn is controlled by adjusting the pressure within the reaction chamber. An exothermic reaction is generated at certain discrete plasma frequencies, which correspond to the optical phonon modes of D-D, H-D, and H—H bonds within the metal lattice. For example, in palladium metal, the frequencies are 8.5 THz, 15 THz, and 20 THz, respectively.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for testing simultaneously multiple fuel materials for suitability of producing excess heat. In some embodiments, multiple fuel materials are placed on a substrate with a thermoelectric converter inserted in between each fuel material and the substrate. When a triggering condition is applied, exothermic reactions may be triggered in some of the fuel materials. The voltage output of the thermoelectric converters is a direct measurement of the temperature of each fuel material, which is an indicator of whether an exothermic reaction is taking place in the fuel material. A known fuel material may be included in the testing array to establish the baseline of voltage readings.

Abstract: An electrode fabrication method, electrolytic cell and laser stimulation system for producing heat and elevated electrode power densities in a water-based liquid electrolyte. The electrode fabrication process involves using a Hydrogen absorbing metal that will form a hydride, cold working said metal, etching said metal, polishing said metal, ultrasonically cleaning said metal and annealing said metal. The electrolytic cell of the system has a pair of external magnets adjacent to the cell providing a magnetic field across the face of the cathode. The electrolytic cell also has a secondary anode of Gold capable of providing Gold ions to plate over to the cathode during the course of electrolysis. The system also has a laser under computer control capable of tuning the laser to specific wavelengths capable of triggering heat evolution and elevated electrode power densities.

Abstract: An electrolytic reactor system for producing non-joule heat has a plurality of small cells arranged in an interconnected array, wherein each cell is characterized by having a relatively small cathode separated from a relatively large anode by a small gap, with the cells immersed in an electrolytic bath.