Pardon if this is old news on Vortex, but I was surprised to find this 2003 USPTO patent application --
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2003/0112916.html "Cold nuclear fusion under non-equilibrium conditions United States Patent Application 20030112916 Kind Code: A1 Inventors: Keeney, Franklin W. (US) Jones, Steven E. (US) Johnson, Alben C. (US) ABSTRACT: A method of producing cold nuclear fusion and a method of preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing cold nuclear fusion are disclosed. The method of producing fusion includes selecting a fusion-promoting material, hydriding the fusion-promoting material with a source of isotopic hydrogen, and establishing a non-equilibrium condition in the fusion-promoting material. The method of producing fusion may include cleaning the fusion-promoting material. The method of producing fusion may also include heat-treating the fusion-promoting material. The method of preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing fusion includes selecting a fusion-promoting material and hydriding the fusion-promoting material with a source of isotopic hydrogen. The method of preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing fusion may include cleaning the fusion-promoting material. The method of preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing fusion may also include heat-treating the fusion-promoting material." -- which includes Steven E. Jones as an inventor. Further down is -- "BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to fusion energy. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for producing cold nuclear fusion and a method for preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing cold nuclear fusion. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Mankind employs many energy sources. Oil, coal, natural gas, water (hydroelectric), and nuclear fission number among the most prominent of these sources. However, most of these sources exists in a limited supply, produces a relatively small quantity of energy per unit of the given source, or raises environmental concerns. Thus, because earth's population and energy needs continue to climb dramatically, researchers continue to seek more plentiful, efficient, and environmentally-friendly energy sources. [0005] These needs have led researchers to consider nuclear fusion, the process that powers the sun. First, the raw materials for nuclear fusion abound on our planet. For example, deuterium is plentiful in seawater. Second, fusion of atomic particles and/or light nuclei produces more energy for a given amount of material than virtually any other known energy source. Finally, nuclear fusion holds strong promise as an environmentally-safe process. For these reasons, and based on major technological advances in the latter half of the twentieth century, many knowledgeable individuals now anticipate that nuclear fusion may provide a long-term answer to mankind's energy needs." --- The patent application seems to cover quite a wide range of implementations. Unless this is a different Steven Jones, did he become a believer 14-years after the 1989 CF-brouhaha? Any insights? Lou Pagnucco
