The material relies on two substances: liquid dicyclopentadiene, a common ingredient of plastics, and a catalyst (the researchers 'proprietary secret) that causes dicyclopentadiene to harden.

前者是塑料的普通成分，后者则是研究者的专利秘密，可使二环戊二烯变硬。

youdao

Before we go any further let me remind you what the E-Cat is: It is a really cheap device that consumes hydrogen and nickel and through the agency of some secret catalyst (hence the device name) produces copper and lots of heat.

FORBES: E-Cat Proof Challenge: $1,000,000 is a "Clownerie"? (Updated)

Part of their secret, they say, is in the catalyst that they use to grow their carbon nanofibre.

ECONOMIST: Space-age soot