Catalysts work by reducing activation energy. This is done by combining with intermediates in the reaction in question. This combination releases energy, hence, for a catalyst to function, it must release heat when the intermediates are formed.

Nuclear reactions are roughly a million times as energetic as chemical reactions. Therefore, if there were anything at all to Cold Fusion, the heat of solution of deuterium in platinum would be roughly a million times as great as the observed value. Platinum would literally explode with stupendous violence upon contact with deuterium. This is clearly not observed.

David F Mayer