Here is a paper worth reading as background for understanding the "possibility" of a hidden lithium depletion problem. This problem could relate to why "cold fusion" has historically been hard to replicate (if the electrolyte contained LiOH with the depleted light isotope).
http://paperzz.com/doc/3108333/selective-resonant-tunnelling-%E2%80%93-turn- the-hydrogen The paper does not mention the problem of (hidden) depletion in lithium - i.e. lithium-6 removal - which is a little-discussed but a potentially major problem --- and which could actually serve to nullify gain in any dogbone reactors fueled with depleted material. Of course, so no one knows the real source of gain now, but if it relates to Li-6 content, then there is a problem for many experimenters in not being able to get hold of the most active isotope. However, pure isotopes can be bought, as mentioned here before and that may be a key to success. Natural lithium has two stable isotopes, Li-6 and Li-7, with the latter being far more abundant: about 92.5% BUT --- the former being far more valuable to the military. Li-6 could also be more valuable to LENR because of some parameter which shows up differently in LENR - we simply do not know. What we do know is that commercial sources may not contain the expected 7% because of regulations which allow depleted lithium to be sold as natural. In short, both natural Li isotopes have an unexpectedly low nuclear binding but Li-6 may be more active but not as the source of tritium. Since Li-6 is extremely valuable to the Pentagon as the source of tritium, large amounts are (were) separated out (historically) and the remainder then resold as "lithium" but without the purchaser realizing the level of depletion. Much of the depleted material is still on the market, as lithium batteries are recycled over and over. For instance, almost all of the lithium which was produced 100 years ago is still in circulation, and lithium which was depleted during the cold war is found in new batteries. (where the level depletion is totally immaterial) Note: Tritium has not been detected in the dogbone and it would be easily detected if there - so if Li-6 is more active for thermal gain - it is for a different reason. The paper above seems to suggest one way this could happen, but there is another way as well (probably several). Jones
