When I reviewed the first report by the Russian researcher I saw that his device was very close to becoming unstable. The curve of input power versus temperature showed a slightly positive slope according to the limited amount of data that was published. Had the slope been negative it would have been difficult to limit the reaction and thereby keep the device from heading into thermal runaway.
When he added the extra insulation during the most recent test it was quite likely that the device was then operating within that dangerous region that leads to self destruction. There appeared to be very little margin of safety in the first design. This is a good indication since it clearly indicates that positive thermal feedback is taking place within his device, an obvious example of LENR. In the future, he will need to modify the design of his device so that the radiation and other heat losses dominate the internal heat generation mechanism before thermal destruction takes place. Until this is achieved we will see many burned out test samples. Unfortunately, this appears to be a fine balance. Rossi gave the independent scientists a Hotcat with a fuel charge that clearly fell on the side of safety. This is fine as long as a modest COP is required. Dave
