New theory
Chuck Sites
I haven't seen one in a while so I thought it might be fun to give it a
try. It's a hypothetical hand-waving solution (theory?) to the excess
heat problem of cold fusion (ah-la Pon's, Fleishman and Hawkings) in
hydrated metals under electrolysis. Look at it, play with it, criticize
it, have fun with it.
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Excess Heat in Hydrated Metals
By Chuck Sites
I have been considering an explanation of the excess heat as seen by
Pons and Fleshiman and others in electrolytically induced cold fusion.
There have been many attempts to develope a theory of cold fusion as
seen by P&F, Hugins, and others. Most are attempts to calculate the
fusion rate of deterium embedded in palladium, and all seem to come
up with lower than expected values when compared to the the excess heat
found experimentally. I am going to sugjest another approach to the
problem of the heat. Consider a crystal of metal. The arrangment of
of the atoms in the lattic form a period potential which is well known
as the zone theory of metals. In zone theory, a free electron
moving through the lattice will experience the effect of a periodic
potential. When the Schrodinger wave equation is solved for this
system, one finds that the energy that the electron can have is
descrete zones or bands. These descrete values then describe zones of
energy that an electron can take on like those of a semiconductor
(forbiden zones, and conduction zones). A diagram of periodic
potential is shown below:
V(x) V(x)
^ ^ Lattice spacing
|.. _______ Atoms of the latice | a=b+c
| \ / / |
| |+ .. + .. + .. + .. + .. + |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | +-+ +-+ +-+ +-+ Vo
| | | | | | | | | | | | |<c>| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |b| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
+--------------------------------------> -------+------------------------->
\ (x) |<-a->| (x)
\__ Surface Potential
Fig. 1 Fig. 2
Consider the same problem, only with a deterium ions. The deterium
will feel a similar periodic potential, except the potential would be
reversed reflecting the repulsive Coulumb force between the like charge
of the D ion and the positive core of the latice atoms. From this, I think
it can be shown that like the behaviour of electrons in zone theory,
positivly charged ions will have a similar forbiden zones, as well as
conduction zones, and these zones will be quantized in a similar manner.
What we have then is a D atom which has a quantum wave function similar to
a very heavy electron but has a broad but discrete (but bounded) energy
"zone". Now lets assume this D ion then encounters a Pd atom (or some
other impurity) after passing through the lattice and taking on the
quantum energy levels of a periodic potential. If the energy level of
D ion is higher than the energy needed to push the D ion through the
periodic potential, then the result should be a transfer of the built up
"zone" energy to the Pd lattice. If the D atom reaches an energy level
equvilant to the conduction band for D ions and is stopped by
an impurity, then the energy of the D ion equal to the quantum zone
energy + kenetic energy of the D ion should be distributed to the
impurity. (Whew!)
Basicly then, what the farfetch-em says, is that when the D-ion reach
the conduction zone (for D-ions in a periodic potential) the quantum
energy of the conduction band is seen as excess energy (like lots of
excess heat).
Experimentaly there are some implications that I would like to note:
Because excess heat would depend upon the having periodic potentials,
clean D absorbing crystals are important. The tighter the lattice
spacing of the crystal the better. Impurities (Targets) need to be
far apart enough to allow the D ions to enter there conduction zones.
Also implied is that there is a limit to the amount of loading
of D in to metal (Pd, Ti and other D absorbing metals) before the lattice
is overwelmed and motion of D ions through the lattice stops (at which
point the D may clump up and fuse ah-la the Jones effect.) It also
implies that there are non-conduction zones (ie. the lattice spacing
of the Pd isn't correct) in which case excess heat won't be seen.
So there. You have my farfetch-em. Have fun!
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