Prediction of Technetium and Promethium Isotopes in LENR Experiments on Palladium-Deuterium Systems

This preprint presents a falsifiable prediction of the Metric Theory: that technetium-99 and promethium-147 should be produced in palladium-deuterium LENR experiments. The prediction is based on the hypothesis that nuclear reactions occur in microcracks where the fine-structure constant α is locally modified. We provide a quantitative estimate of the expected yield, a detailed methodology for sample analysis (ICP-MS, gamma spectroscopy) with contamination control, and a clear falsification criterion. The prediction is linked to a measurable precursor variable—the metric trace—enabling pre-experiment screening. Existing experimental support from Iwamura and Mizuno is reviewed. This is the first document in a three-part verification program.