LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Cold Fusion: Reactions
built 647 days ago
Cold fusion appears to be limited to slow, relatively low power reactions, which require an intact metal lattice. Cold fusion is not a chain reaction, like fission. When one hydrogen atom undergoes a cold fusion reaction, it does not directly trigger another atom. It will raise the temperature unless you remove the heat, which can spur the reaction. There are some indications that if you let a cell overheat, the reaction can quickly increase to high levels until the metal melts. This would destroy the lattice and instantly quench the reaction.
Source:
Some other kinds of fusion may be termed "cold" in some sense but are separate from the cold fusion controversy. "Cold" may be taken in the sense that no part of the reaction is actually hot (except for the reaction products), or that the energies required are low and the bulk of the material is at a relatively low temperature. Some other kinds of fusion are "hot", involving reactions which create macroscopic regions of very high temperature and pressure.
Source:
Despite the optimism of cold fusion proponents and despite the cynical pessimism of others, cold fusion research has held its ground, and even gained a bit. The facts of cold fusion science have remained the same. Helium has persistently appeared as the dominant by-product. Neutrons have been observed, but at very low levels. The remaining observations of this nuclear reaction still demonstrate an effect that appears to be environmentally friendly and safe for humans. And yes, it still does sound too good to be true.
Source:
Output of neutrons (n), tritium (T), protons (p) and gamma radiation has been reported by cold fusion, but not in the amount predicted by standard understanding. These are the reactions that standard understanding predicts when two deuterium kernels fuse: D + D --> 3He + n, D + D --> T + p, D + D --> 4He + gamma photon.
Source:
MORE ABOUT
Reactions