Regarding this paper:
http://lenr-canr.org/acrobat/KitamuraAmdemetalde.pdf
On p. 19 it says: "Clearer results of heat evolution will be obtained
also by increasing the amount of samples." p. 18
The small sample size bothers me. As I noted here before, the
relatively low absolute power, ~180 mW and the low flow rate of the
calorimeter also bother me. A larger sample size will be a big
improvement for two reasons:
1. It should give clearer results, as the authors note.
2. It will show whether this technique can be scaled up. We have
every reason to think it can be scaled up, but it will be nice to see proof.
I asked Takahashi why they used such small samples. He explained as
follows (English somewhat edited):
The reaction chamber of our apparatus has 50 cc volume and can accept
about 60 g Zr/Pd powder in A1 or A2 cells (p. 20, photo p. 30).
In the last series of experiments, Santoku Inc. delivered a total 60
g of ZrO2/Pd sample.
We wanted to check the repeatability of heat evolution, by doing
three repeated series-runs with new samples. [As opposed to reusing
samples, the way Arata has done. Good idea! - JR]
Our first priority was to confirm the reproducibility of phenomenon.
As we have the twin system of A1 for D charge and A2 for H charge (or
reversed use), we had to use 10g sample per A1 or A2 for the three
simultaneous experimental trials (Santoku1 through Santoku3
experiments for #1 to #2 runs. (#1 runs p. 44; all three runs on p. 47).
We ran a total of 6 runs using virgin material, charged with D and H,
and #1 and #2 runs in every case.
We expect that it will be easy to increase power level of heat by
increasing the amount of the sample and the gas-flow rate.
. . .
In other words, Santoku delivered 60 g, and they could stuff the
entire amount into one cell. But instead of putting all of the
material into one cell, they used 10 g at a time in 6 different
tests, both active and control, because their first priority was to
establish repeatability. This seems like a wise choice.
The good news is that Santoku will soon deliver another 60 g of
material, and in this round of experiments they hope to try a larger sample.
This work is entirely independent of Arata and the people supplying
him with material. That is an exciting development.
So things are moving along rapidly with this experiment. They hope to
report details in Italy ICCF15, and also in San Francisco ACS2010.
I think the nanoparticle gas loading approach is the most promising
method of cold fusion. It is most likely to lead to a practical
device, or at least one that can be demonstrated to a visitor with
high confidence that it will work.
- Jed
