INVESTIGATION OF ANOMALOUS HEAT-PRODUCTION IN NI-H SYSTEMS

Anomalous heat production in a nickel rod loaded with hydrogen has bee n reported by Focardi et al. (Nuovo Cimento A, 107 (1994) 163). We hav e investigated this phenomenon by repeating the experiment. We found t he results previously published to be consistent with our observations ; namely we measured higher temperatures for the same input power when hydrogen is absorbed during a heating cycle. Nevertheless this temper ature rise does not appear to correspond to an increase in heat produc tion. We have added a temperature sensor to the container of the exper iment. The temperature of the container follows the same temperature w ith input power curve irrespective of whether there is an anomalous ab sorption of hydrogen or not; therefore we have no evidence that this t emperature increase corresponds to another source of heat. In conclusi on, we have observed all the effects discovered by Focardi et al., but our results imply that there is no production of power associated wit h the absorption of hydrogen by nickel.