Rossi and Focardi's energy catalyzer (aka cold fusion)
March 10, 2011 6:33 PM   Subscribe

Rossi and Focardi's cold fusion claims update.

As a followup to a previous post in January, Rossi will chat live tomorrow about his invention, sponsored by Sweden's Ny Teknik. According to Rossi, the University of Bologna is set to announce a one-year program to study the phenomenon, perhaps related to a February 10th closed demonstration where the device ran successfully for 18 hours. Apparently, nobody claims to know how this thing happens, except that it was a serendipitous discovery and is theorized to involve hydrinos. A secret catalyst may be required, and a patent has not been issued. Focardi has been experimenting since 1995.
posted by Brian B. (31 comments total) 6 users marked this as a favorite
 
That is the least scientific-looking device I have ever seen.
posted by sonic meat machine at 6:42 PM on March 10, 2011


At least it's not perpetual motion. I mean, cold fusion is at least theoretically possible.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 6:44 PM on March 10, 2011


Your first hyperlink is effed up, it's got two https.
posted by smoke at 6:45 PM on March 10, 2011


I want to believe... but the language in that "update" link is so conspiratorial "OMG mainstream science is unimaginative and impeding progress what with their peer-review and things!" that it made me a little peeved.
posted by Jimbob at 6:47 PM on March 10, 2011 [4 favorites]


what's wrong with perpetual motion?
posted by Redhush at 6:49 PM on March 10, 2011


Someday when I'm rich and powerful, I want to be sort of a venture capitalist, except I want to figure out how to short against ventures.

I believe you are looking for a wager.
posted by jaduncan at 6:53 PM on March 10, 2011 [1 favorite]


That is the least scientific-looking device I have ever seen.

Really? I'm an experimental physicist (in a slightly less controversial field!) and it looks about right.... nothing ever works without at least some tinfoil, although admittedly they're using slightly more of the stuff than usual. Holding everything together with tape is completely typical. New equipment necessarily gets frankensteined together from junk you have lying around.

I have no opinion whatsoever on their actual results.
posted by Pre-Taped Call In Show at 6:55 PM on March 10, 2011 [4 favorites]


The funnel is just screaming for a six pack to be in the picure.
posted by buzzman at 7:04 PM on March 10, 2011


Except regular ol' betting wouldn't easily get me large amounts of money because the odds are slim, right?

Basically, the way it needs to work is that I put up millions for crazy men to waste, and then when they fail I get like ten times as much back from money true-beleiving investors put in. In the event they are successful I lose it all. And that will be OK, because SOMETHING REALLY REALLY REALLY AMAZING HAPPENED AND I'M THE GUY THAT BROUGHT IT TO THE WORLD, and I'll be able to live with it while I watch the antigravity perpetual intergalactic starship USS Floam be built.

Have you ever watched The Producers?
posted by jaduncan at 7:04 PM on March 10, 2011 [3 favorites]


Not to derail, but make sure you watch the original with Zero Mostel & Gene Wilder, not the weak musical version of a few years ago.
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 7:08 PM on March 10, 2011 [4 favorites]


Basically, the way it needs to work is that I put up millions for crazy men to waste, and then when they fail I get like ten times as much back from money true-beleiving investors put in

Ah, then you are perhaps looking to offer a loan at usurious interest rates. Have you considered going into the credit card business?
posted by zippy at 7:09 PM on March 10, 2011


The funnel is just screaming for a six pack to be in the picture.

I believe I invented the perfect six-pack for this experiment a couple summers ago.
posted by clearly at 7:12 PM on March 10, 2011


I want my new nickname to be The Noose of Established Science.
posted by you're a kitty! at 7:20 PM on March 10, 2011


"For now the news has come in a bit distant and subjective form. While little is known about the technology, Rossi has built up a lot of street type credibility..."


How exactly does one go about getting street cred in cold fusion circles? Do you and your grad students pack your gats take down a rival gang of Tokamak researchers?
posted by banal evil at 7:24 PM on March 10, 2011 [6 favorites]


How exactly does one go about getting street cred in cold fusion circles?

It helps to own an existing company that makes large generators, and delivers them as promised.

The funnel is just screaming for a six pack to be in the picure.

That would ruin the the subtlest hints of good fortune, pride and effort from the actors.
posted by Brian B. at 7:27 PM on March 10, 2011


First time in ages MeFi has featured a cold fusion error.
posted by Babblesort at 7:29 PM on March 10, 2011 [8 favorites]


Levi explained that they did not have a peristaltic pump with sufficient flow, so instead the device was attached directly to the water tap.

The municipal water tap? Skip the middle man, and go right to that post where people were lighting their kitchen spigots in a burst of flames.
posted by StickyCarpet at 8:00 PM on March 10, 2011


If this thing turns out to offer limitless and practically free energy that you can fab up in your bath tub, the Man will still figure out a way to keep you down.
posted by Meatbomb at 8:25 PM on March 10, 2011 [1 favorite]


An oft-repeated chain of events:

1. Man claims to invent cold-fusion device.
2. Man demonstrates cold-fusion device in circumstances which veil the true mechanism
3. Public demands transparency.
4. Man will not give transparency.
5. Public is no longer as easily fooled as it once was, and does not believe Man has invented cold-fusion device.
6. Man blames Noose-Science conspiracy for public's refusal to join with Man in his hallucination of invented cold-fusion.
7. Man is never heard of again.
8. Return to Step 1.

Sound familiar?
posted by StrangerInAStrainedLand at 10:32 PM on March 10, 2011 [5 favorites]


8. Return to Step 1.

Sound familiar?


It sounds like a ... perpetual motion machine! Can you show us how it's powered?
posted by chavenet at 10:49 PM on March 10, 2011 [8 favorites]


Watch out for Rossi & Focardi suddenly doing really well on the stock market.
posted by blue funk at 11:36 PM on March 10, 2011


Hydrinos? Hilarious.
posted by edd at 3:14 AM on March 11, 2011


That is the least scientific-looking device I have ever seen. [sonic meat machine]

Really? I'm an experimental physicist (in a slightly less controversial field!) and it looks about right.... nothing ever works without at least some tinfoil....... [pre-taped call in show]


Hee! Regardless of the validity of their results, this is experimental physics. I relied on 2 pencils, some cable ties and insulation tape for a major experiment once upon a time.

We buy tinfoil in great quantities. It can be fashioned into makeshift support structures, it blocks light, it reflects heat (same thing as blocking light really), it's easy to form into particular shapes, it conducts electricity and it can be used in numerous practical jokes.

I couldn't have done my phd without blu-tac and double sided tape.
posted by Homemade Interossiter at 3:18 AM on March 11, 2011 [1 favorite]



Why is there a watermelon there?
posted by Herodios at 7:11 AM on March 11, 2011 [2 favorites]


Pics Peer review and independent replication or it didn't happen.
posted by tommasz at 8:37 AM on March 11, 2011 [2 favorites]


But outside of the science establishment lacking curiosity and vision the press has caught on

Okay, that's all i needed to know this was bullshit.
posted by empath at 8:57 AM on March 11, 2011


Why is there a watermelon there?

I'll tell you later.

posted by chavenet at 8:59 AM on March 11, 2011 [3 favorites]


I don't know anything about cold fusion, but after Rossi's previous work with Martini, he has my full attention.
posted by luvcraft at 10:23 AM on March 11, 2011 [2 favorites]


Mod note: fixed the link, carry on
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 10:00 PM on March 11, 2011 [1 favorite]


New blog commentary

One that I missed previously.

Between the last and the first one, it about covers the controversy with detailed history of the claims, including uncredited sources.
posted by Brian B. at 9:43 AM on April 2, 2011




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