Here is some discussion involving palladium:
Brillouin Energy
Researchers at Brillouin Energy Corp. of Berkeley, California are developing what they term a
controlled electron capture reaction (CECR) process. In their experiments, ordinary hydrogen is loaded into a nickel lattice, and then an electronic pulse is passed through the system, using a proprietary control system. They claim that their device converts H-1 (ordinary hydrogen) to H-2 (deuterium), then to H-3 (tritium) and H-4 (quatrium), which then decays to He-4 and releases energy.
In one
paper on their website, the Brillouin researchers found that "excess heat is always seen" when tuned pulses are present. They report being able to obtain excess heat using ordinary water with hydrided nickel,
palladium or copper. In a
second paper, the researchers assert that the excess heat is "measurable and repeatable."
Additional technical details are given in a
Powerpoint presentation, a
report summarizing their "quantum reaction hypothesis," and in a
patent application. Their patent application reads, in part, "Embodiments generate thermal energy by neutron generation, neutron capture and subsequent transport of excess binding energy as useful heat for any application."