Patent ID: 8419919

Claim:
A method comprising the steps of: supplying more than one current levels, each current level not exceeding about 500 μA, to the anode and the cathode of an electrochemical cell according to a first charging profile, wherein the electrochemical cell comprises: a body portion, an electrolytic solution, contained within the body portion, comprising a metallic salt, comprising palladium, and a supporting electrolyte, each dissolved in heavy water, a cathode immersed in the electrolytic solution and vertically disposed adjacent to a first side of the body portion, the cathode comprising a metal that does not substantially absorb deuterium and is stable in the electrolytic solution when the cathode is polarized, and an anode immersed in the electrolytic solution apart from the cathode and vertically disposed adjacent to a second side of the body portion, the second side located opposite the first side, wherein the anode is stable in the electrolytic solution when the anode is polarized; and maintaining each of the supplied more than one current levels at a generally constant level during the first charging profile such that deposition of palladium on the cathode occurs in the presence of evolving deuterium gas during electrolysis of the electrolytic solution.