If the molecular structure of the materials are indeed the determining factor, maybe new nano-manufacturing techniques can build an anode/cathode that achieves reproducible, and indisputable results?
If basic research can figure out exactly what is going on, they might be able to optimize the molecular structure and make it economically viable.
That AND processing history. It's a very complex situation. But I believe that the consensus among the current LANR researchers is that great progress has been made, and they pretty much understand empirically what has to be available, if not theoretically/quantitatively.
"If the molecular structure of the materials are indeed the determining factor, maybe new nano-manufacturing techniques can build an anode/cathode that achieves reproducible, and indisputable results?
This is precisely where the current state of research is...how to "structure" the fuel to maximize performance.
"If basic research can figure out exactly what is going on, they might be able to optimize the molecular structure and make it economically viable."
My current favorite choice is the zirconium oxide/palladium (or nickel) type fuel developed by Arata and currently being worked on by George Miley (and probably others), which is an effort in exactly this direction.