That being the case, there should be a finite solution here. Which chemical reactions are capable of being stored in such a small space? And capable of producing that much heat? And able to sustain that production rate for 5 1/2 hrs.Rossi won't let anyone examine the device. Rossi controlled every public test. Rossi installed and calibrated the test equipment, and refused to do some basic testing that would eliminate much of the doubt.
Most of the doubts come from the question of whether the E-Cat is really turning all the water into steam. There is an enormous difference in the amount of energy needed to heat water to just below boiling, and to actually boil that same water. If Rossi is just boiling a little water, his device are only producing about 1/7th the heat needed to boil all the water. And Rossi has consistently refused to allow anyone to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that all the water is, in fact, being boiled away.
Even if he wont allow someone in to examine the internals, there should be several things that could be eliminated. For instance, the volume of LPG able to be contained inside of the size should only be able to produce a specific amount of energy.
I guess I’m thinking that the process of elimination should rule out quite a few chemical reactions. The ones that are left should be a fairly small number and should be able to be “removed” by meeting certain criteria.
To prove that something new is going on here, all you have to do is eliminate the old as being an option.
He's pursued the idea of a Two Stage approach a bit differently ~ and seems to have actually come up with something you could call a catalyst (phenanthrene). I don't think he's produced a paper showing success at the second stage, which is when the nickel to copper transformation takes place and he gets heat (in the form of a photon, or electrons or whatever).
With the recession many physicists have turned to LENR research as a hobby ~ it's one of the few major research projects you can do on a table top ~ and not much cost. If there's anything here it's just a matter of time until someone gets it. Firestone invented vulcanization in his kitchen.
I thought it interesting that folks hemmed in by bad winter weather would turn to this sort of project ~ but they turned out a sort of report of some interest at: http://nextbigfuture.com/2009/03/neutron-tracks-detected-in-cold-fusion.html