Correlation of excess power and helium production during D2O and H2O electrolysis using palladium cathodes

A critical issue in determining whether or not the anomalous effects that occur during D2O electrolysis are of nuclear origin is the measurement of nuclear products in amounts sufficient to explain the rate of excess enthalpy generation. Calorimetric evidence of excess power up to 27% was measured during the electrolysis of heavy water using palladium cathodes. Maximum excess power was 0.52 W (1.5 W/cm) at 250 mA/cm. Eight electrolysis gas samples collected during episodes of excess power production in two identical cells and analysed by mass spectrometry showed the presence of He. Furthermore, the amount of helium detected correlated qualitatively with the amount of excess power and was within an order of magnitude of the theoretical estimate of helium production based upon fusion of deuterium to form He. Any production of He or neutrons in these experiments was below our detection limits. However, the exposure of dental X-ray films placed outside the cells suggests the emission of radiation. Control experiments performed in exactly the same way but using H2O + LiOH in place of D2O + LiOD gave no evidence of helium, excess power or radiation.