Palladium, iron, gadolinium, uranium and oxygen share a physical property 'extreme' in common, within their atomic mass ranges. This property sets them slightly apart from other elements in the periodic table, and one wonders if that property is somehow related to nuclear stability (since uranium is in there on one extreme, and iron is there on the other)...
... and if so, whether or not a LENR cell, or reactor, utilizing that property can be optimized (in the case of Pd, or even U, when those elements are used as electrodes. There are hints, in prior reported LENR experiment (i.e. the so-called "Letts-Cravens effect") that this property can indeed be employed to enhance the reaction rate, although it is not clear "why", or even that this has being done in an optimum way yet. Can you guess that physical property of interest? Well, these five elements show peaks of very high *magnetic susceptibility* which make them unique within their range of atomic weight. Many observers may not have been aware of this magnetic property in the case of Pd nor U- but the other elements are well-known for magnetic anomalies. Here is Wiki's entry on the general property: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_susceptibility This chart: http://www.21stcenturysciencetech.com/images2007/Figure_5.html comes from studies reported in 2004, and it points to the peaks in the magnetic anomaly, which the "Moon model" of stable isotopes and atomic structure of Laurence Hecht, tries to explain: http://www.21stcenturysciencetech.com/Articles%202005/MoonModel_F04.pdf This may, or may not, have theoretical application to LENR -- probably not, unless one is thinking about trying out variations of the Letts-Cravens effect, but the Hecht "Moon Model" is nevertheless an interesting model, based on that magic number of 137 electrons. BTW - as to the publication "source" for this data and article... it should be mentioned that no matter what you may think about LaRoche and his politics, it is clear that he is extraordinarily competent in nuclear engineering. His other views may often appear extreme, and in fact there is an article in this same issue (which is factually convincing) about the total lack of any worldwide "trend" in ocean level rise, due to global warming. LaRoche as you may be aware, is very "anti-Gore" shall we say, but not on the Bush anti-environmental payroll either. Enough of that. Getting back to LENR speculation, and in particular, that category of LENR experiments "which should be tried" (in a perfect world of adequate funding) - in order look for possible synergy, here is my suggestion for candidate experiment: It is a version of the Letts-Cravens cell, using depleted Uranium as the active electrode (or possibly U plated with Pd) and also using a much stronger magnetic field and laser than they have used. For on thing, we need to find a "better use" for the massive stockpiles of depleted Uranium, than anti-tank ammunition. Jones
