Possibility of Phase Transitions Inducing Cold Fusion in Palladium/Deuterium Systems

A tentative theory is presented in which β-phase PdD_x containing supersaturated deuterium transits into β-phase PdD_x containing less deuterium and α-phase PdD_x. High-pressure (∼10 GPa) deuterium bubbles form at the same time. As the bubbles release energy, cracks are created in the PdD_x crystal, and charge separation of deuterium occurs. Thus would cold fusion be induced. This proposal supports the fracture mechanism for cold fusion.