an electrolytic cell and a method for accelerating the reduction of gamma ray emissions from a radioactive substance . the cell includes a non - conductive housing and a conductive end member sealingly positioned in and extending from each open end of the housing . gamma ray emitting material such as powder , granules or gases in an admixture with palladium black powder or particles are closely packed into the chamber . a longitudinal gas passage extends through each end member in gas communication with the chamber . each gas passage is sealably closeable , one gas passage being connectable to a source of pressurized hydrogen or deuterium gas deliverable under pressure into the chamber to charge the catalytic particles . a distal end of each end member is connected to an electric power source wherein , when electric current flows through the chamber , the gamma ray emission count decays at an abnormally high rate .