[author]Hans Lovejoy[/author]
Local free-energy advocate Sol Millin is convinced that a breakthrough with cold fusion is imminent after Italian physicist Andrea Rossi presented a recent demonstration that was witnessed by fellow scientists.
Mr Rossi’s new invention is called the E-Cat, which is short for Energy Catalyser; and he claims it can create a low energy nuclear reaction at room temperature with consistent results.
He also claims that it produces no nuclear waste or radioactive residue. The process is a reaction between nickel powder, hydrogen gas and a third catalyst that Mr Rossi is keeping secret. A small-scale generator will be going into mass production shortly, according to the inventor.
Cold fusion, or Low Energy Nuclear Reaction, emerged in 1998 as potential free energy, however was quickly discredited, after repeated experiments by inventors Martin Fleishmann and Stanley Pons were unsuccessful, .
Since then, occasional reports have surfaced; AFP and smh.com.au reported in 2009 that scientists had a possible cold fusion breakthrough. ‘Researchers at a US Navy laboratory have unveiled what they say is “significant” evidence of cold fusion,’ said the lead paragraph.
Forbes magazine says through its website that, while Rossi’s invention is yet to be universally recognised and accepted, there are some encouraging signs.
Contributor Mark Gibbs, says, ‘Rossi has been collaborating with a well-credentialed physicist and emeritus professor from Bologna University, Sergio Focardi.’
Reputations at risk
Bloomberg has also reported on Rossi’s developments; however scepticism still surrounds the claims.
Mr Millin told Echonetdaily of two other professors who are putting their careers and reputations on the line over the E-Cat. ‘Both highly distinguished professors attended and analysed an experimental test of a mini-Rossi device in Bologna on March 29, 2011.
‘Sven Kullander is the chairman of the Science Academy of Sweden and professor emeritus of Sweden’s University of Uppsala and Hanno Essen is professor of nuclear engineering at Sweden’s University of Stockolm and previous chairman of the Swedish Skeptics Society.
‘Mr Essen had this to say about the experiment: “Any chemical process for producing 25 kWh from any fuel in a 50 cm3 container can be ruled out. The only alternative explanation is that there is some kind of a nuclear process that gives rise to the measured energy production.”’
Mr Millin also says he has been in contact with Mr Rossi since March 2011 over a potential patent agreement.
Patent not accepted
Another local renewables advocate, Sapoty Brook, says that the jury is ‘very much out.’
‘If it is declared a goer by a credible authority it will be big news,’ he told Echonetdaily.
‘But their patent application was not accepted by the USPTO on the grounds that it is inconsistent with established physical laws and a working prototype was not submitted as evidence. Since they are unwilling to demonstrate it even to get a patent one wonders about their authenticity.
‘It’s 2012 and time for a change,’ Mr Millin adds. ‘Are we about to kiss goodbye fossil fuels such as oil, gas, fracking, and uranium?’
He is founder and trustee of the Byron New Energy Charitable Trust, which aims to bring debate and a change towards energy independence.
For more visit www.byronnewenergy.com.
