Anomalous heat, attributed to Low-energy Nuclear Reactions (LENRs), is obtained by pressurizing metal alloy nanoparticles with deuterium gas. The reactions are enhanced by creation of ultra-high density deuterium clusters in the nanoparticles. Experiments comparing various nanoparticles and plans for a proof-of-principle unit are presented.

A key issue for the development of a LENR power unit concerns the changes in nanoparticles during runs. LENUCO LLC is working on such power units and this work on nanoparticle changes is being done in support of that effort. [1] Our experiments have used pressurization of various different nanoparticle alloys with either deuterium or hydrogen. [2] The principal elements in the nanoparticle alloys are Nickel, Palladium and Zirconium with different percentage compositions [2]. We will present the results obtained from study of surface aspects and composition changes in the nanoparticles following runs by two techniques, SEM and SIMS, respectively. The results reported here are from various run times including an extended run that accumulated 40 hours run time. Until now, both techniques have revealed some important facts. The SEM technique has pointed out a significant average increase in the nanoparticle surface roughness, depending on run time. We also have seen an agglomeration of the particles, mainly in the deuterium pressurized Palladium Zirconium alloys. Possible explanations for the agglomeration will be discussed, including both physical and magnetic phenomena.