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[[image:Rossi_Focardi.jpg|Andrea Rossi and Sergio Focardi (picture "La Repubblica")|thumb]]

[[image:Rossi_Focardi.jpg|Andrea Rossi and Sergio Focardi (picture "La Repubblica")|thumb]]

The '''Rossi Focardi Energy Amplifier''' (also ''E-Cat'' or ''Rossi Energy Catalyzer'' or just ''Rossi energy amplifier'') is allegedly a small fusion reactor assumed to be based on [[Cold Fusion]]. The Italian company EON&nbsp;srl claims to bring it to market in 2011. It is claimed to produce more than 10&nbsp;kW thermal energy while needing just a couple of 100 Watts of electrical energy to power it. According to the Italian inventors, the professor emeritus in physics Sergio Focardi and the alleged engineer Andrea Rossi<ref>Rossi: ''I am a doctor in the Philosophy of Science and Engineering from the Universita’ Degli Studi Di Milano''</ref> cold fusion <ref>Andrea Rossi in his patent application, Page 12: ''the reaction actually provides a true nuclear cold fusion.''</ref> of hydrogen and nickel to copper is happening in the reactor. As a side-effect of the reaction ionizing radiation should be emitted, but independent measurement during the experiments disproved that.<ref>http://www.psiram.com/doc/Levi%2C_Giuseppe_-_Report_on_heat_production_during_preliminary_tests_on_the_Rossi_Ni-H_reactor_%282010-2011%29.004810.pdf</ref> Attempts to replicate the experiment independently failed so far. The last public presentation was mid-January 2011.

The '''Rossi Focardi Energy Amplifier''' (also ''E-Cat'' or ''Rossi Energy Catalyzer'' or just ''Rossi energy amplifier'') allegedly is a small fusion reactor assumed to be based on [[Cold Fusion]]. The Italian company EON&nbsp;srl claim they plan to market it in 2011. It allegedly produces more than 10&nbsp;kW thermal energy while needing just a couple of 100 Watts of electrical energy to power it. According to the Italian inventors, Professor emeritus in physics Sergio Focardi and the alleged engineer Andrea Rossi<ref>Rossi: ''I am a doctor in the Philosophy of Science and Engineering from the Universita’ Degli Studi Di Milano''</ref>, a cold fusion <ref>Andrea Rossi in his patent application, Page 12: ''the reaction actually provides a true nuclear cold fusion.''</ref> of hydrogen and nickel to copper is taking place in the reactor. As a side-effect of the reaction ionizing radiation should be emitted, but independent measurement during the experiments disproved that.<ref>http://www.psiram.com/doc/Levi%2C_Giuseppe_-_Report_on_heat_production_during_preliminary_tests_on_the_Rossi_Ni-H_reactor_%282010-2011%29.004810.pdf</ref> Attempts to replicate the experiment independently failed so far. The last public presentation was mid-January 2011.

The true inventor of the principle was the Italian biophysicist Francesco Piantelli in 1989, who filed a patent application on it in 2010.<ref>WO 2010058288 A1: METHOD FOR PRODUCING ENERGY AND APPARATUS THEREFOR. 2010-05-27. Erfinder: PIANTELLI SILVIA; PIANTELLI FRANCESCO</ref> Rossi, who himself tries to patent his invention, does not acknowledge that:

The true inventor of the principle was the Italian biophysicist Francesco Piantelli in 1989, who filed a patent application in 2010.<ref>WO 2010058288 A1: METHOD FOR PRODUCING ENERGY AND APPARATUS THEREFOR. 2010-05-27. Erfinder: PIANTELLI SILVIA; PIANTELLI FRANCESCO</ref> Rossi, who himself tries to patent his invention, does not acknowledge that:

:''"My process has nothing to do with the process of Piantelli. The proof is that I am making operating reactors, he is not."''

:''"My process has nothing to do with the process of Piantelli. The proof is that I am making operating reactors, he is not."''

==Purported functional principle==

==Purported functional principle==

[[image:FAE3.jpg|Andrea Rossi and the reactor (demonstration january 14, 2011, Source: [http://curiositybox.wordpress.com/2011/01/16/bologna-14111-cronaca-test-fusione-fredda-del-reattore-nichel-idrogeno-focardi-rossi/ Curiosity-Blog])|350px|thumb]]

[[image:FAE3.jpg|Andrea Rossi and the reactor (demonstration january 14, 2011, Source: [http://curiositybox.wordpress.com/2011/01/16/bologna-14111-cronaca-test-fusione-fredda-del-reattore-nichel-idrogeno-focardi-rossi/ Curiosity-Blog])|350px|thumb]]

All currently known information about the "Rossi Focardi Energy Amplifier" come from the inventors, a patent application by Rossi, YouTube videos and statements from a couple of physicists which tried to replicate the principle. There is no noteworthy reception from the international physics community so far and an attempt of the inventors to publish an article about their device in a renowned professional journal failed. Only single physicists reacted with blog entries and comments (e.g.: [http://pages.csam.montclair.edu/~kowalski/cf/388amplifier.html]). As of March 2011 no impeccable scientific publication is known.

All currently known information about the "Rossi Focardi Energy Amplifier" are provided by inventors, a patent application by Rossi, YouTube videos and statements from a couple of physicists who tried to replicate the principle. There is no noteworthy reception by the international physics community so far and an attempt of inventors to publish an article about their device in a renowned professional journal failed. Only a few physicists reacted with blog entries and comments (e.g.: [http://pages.csam.montclair.edu/~kowalski/cf/388amplifier.html]). As of March 2011, no impeccable scientific publication is known.

Focardi and Rossi spread their claims through their own "online newspaper" "Journal of Nuclear Physics", basically an Internet blog and the Italian newspaper "Il&nbsp;Cimento". "Journal of Nuclear Physics" was the title of a Russian professional journal, which has been discontinued. The involved company EON&nbsp;srl has not published any information. Physicist Focardi disclosed on inquiry, that the newspaper "Journal of Nuclear Physics" was founded since the attempt to publish in an accredited journal had failed.

Focardi and Rossi spread their claims through their own "online newspaper" "Journal of Nuclear Physics", basically an Internet blog, and the Italian newspaper "Il&nbsp;Cimento". "Journal of Nuclear Physics" was the title of a Russian professional journal which is not published any longer. The involved company EON&nbsp;srl did not publish any information. Physicist Focardi admitted upon inquiry that the "Journal of Nuclear Physics" was founded since the attempt to publish in any accredited journal had failed.

According to available and partly contradicting information from the inventors Focardi and Rossi the small reactor makes exothermal fusion possible. They claim that that they were able to "produce" 130&nbsp;kW thermal energy in an extreme case and needed just 80 to 1.250&nbsp;Watt to "heat up" and for the operation of the electronic controller.

According to available and partly contradictory information from inventors Focardi and Rossi, the small reactor enables exothermal fusion. They claim they were able to "produce" 130&nbsp;kW thermal energy in an extreme case and needed just 80 to 1.250&nbsp;Watt to "heat up" and for the operation of the electronic controller.

The process was unfolded only in part, even though a patent application was filed (not approved currently), involves that nickel and hydrogen are transformed to copper which creates heat and ionizing radiation. In the patent application is more precise and states that the stable nickel isotope 62Ni28 (which makes about 3,6% of normal nickel) reacts with hydrogen and is transformed into the stable copper isotope 62Cu29. The copper that is created through this process is said to consist of two stable copper isotopes with an isotope proportion that is different from natural copper.<ref>According to S.&nbsp;Focardi in an E-Mail: ''[...] mostra l'esistenza di Cu (non presente inizialmente) i cui due isotopi stabili sono in un rapporto diverso da quello naturale [...]''</ref> Such a fusion would need very high temperatures and strong gamma radiation from the destruction of positrons and electrons would be emitted.<ref>According to Prof. Jonghwa Chang, Chief Research Advisor of the "Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute", answer to an inquiry by an Italian chemist. see: [http://www.queryonline.it/2011/01/31/il-ritorno-della-fusione-fredda-2/]</ref>  

The process was unfolded only in part, even though a patent application was filed (not approved as of yet); it involves the transformation of nickel and hydrogen to copper which creates heat and ionizing radiation. The patent application is more precise and states that the stable nickel isotope 62Ni28 (which makes about 3,6% of normal nickel) reacts with hydrogen and is transformed into the stable copper isotope 62Cu29. The copper created through this process is said to consist of two stable copper isotopes with an isotope proportion that is different from natural copper.<ref>According to S.&nbsp;Focardi in an E-Mail: ''[...] mostra l'esistenza di Cu (non presente inizialmente) i cui due isotopi stabili sono in un rapporto diverso da quello naturale [...]''</ref> Such a fusion would need very high temperatures and strong gamma radiation from the destruction of positrons and electrons would be emitted.<ref>According to Prof. Jonghwa Chang, Chief Research Advisor of the "Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute", answer to an inquiry by an Italian chemist. see: [http://www.queryonline.it/2011/01/31/il-ritorno-della-fusione-fredda-2/]</ref>  

Nickel rods are claimed to have been used at first, but in the last experiments nickel powder was used (particle sizes are said to be in the nm-range, in the patent application 10 µm are given). Rossi mentions the company "Gerli Metalli"<ref>Powder nickel: Gerli Metalli--Milan</ref> from Milan as supplier.Further catalysts in addition to those specified in the patent application are said to be used. Unconfirmed rumours in the Internet name [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raney_nickel "Raney-Nickel"] since two fires in the laboratory of Rossi had "Raney-Nickel" as cause. It has been denied that nickel oxide, which reacts with hydrogen creating water and heat (NiO2&nbsp;+&nbsp;H2 -->&nbsp;Ni&nbsp;+&nbsp;H20) is used.

Nickel rods allegedly were used initially, but during the latest experiments nickel powder was used (particle sizes are said to be in the nm-range, the patent application mentions 10 µm). Rossi mentions the company "Gerli Metalli"<ref>Powder nickel: Gerli Metalli--Milan</ref> from Milan as supplier. Further catalysts in addition to those specified in the patent application are said to be used. Unconfirmed internet rumours name [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raney_nickel "Raney-Nickel"] since two fires in the laboratory of Rossi were caused by "Raney-Nickel". The use of nickel oxide, which reacts with hydrogen creating water and heat (NiO2&nbsp;+&nbsp;H2 -->&nbsp;Ni&nbsp;+&nbsp;H20), has been denied.

Through heating the reactor with electricity to 180-400&nbsp;Grad Celsius protons from hydrogen gas are said to enter the nickel atoms which leads to a nuclear reaction if the pressure on the gas is increased in periodical, pulsed, powerful step. Hydrogen is said to be used up and some helium is created.<ref>S. Focardi, V. Gabbani, V. Montalbano, F. Piantelli, S. Veronesi. "''Large excess heat production in Ni-H systems''". Il Nuovo Cimento Vol. 111 A, N.11 pp. 1233, novembre 1998</ref> The used nickel rod is said to have tiny craters after a reaction. According to the patent application the electrical pre-heating of the the reactor is automatically turned off by a temperature control device when operating temperature is reached. Further electrical energy (20 to 80 W) is only necessary to supply the controlling electronic. Rumours in the Internet that cannot be confirmed believe that high voltage or magnetic fields of 360&nbsp;kV to overcome the [http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coulomb_barrier Coulomb barrier] might be in use. But use of such high voltage is not possible in such a small device due to spark generation.

Through heating the reactor with electricity to 180-400&nbsp;degrees Celsius protons from hydrogen gas are said to enter the nickel atoms which lead to a nuclear reaction if the pressure on the gas is increased in periodical, pulsed, powerful step. Hydrogen is said to be used up and some helium is created.<ref>S. Focardi, V. Gabbani, V. Montalbano, F. Piantelli, S. Veronesi. "''Large excess heat production in Ni-H systems''". Il Nuovo Cimento Vol. 111 A, N.11 pp. 1233, novembre 1998</ref> The used nickel rod is said to have tiny craters after a reaction. According to the patent application, the electrical pre-heating of the reactor is automatically turned off by a temperature control device when operating temperature was achieved. Further electrical energy (20 to 80 W) was only necessary to supply the controlling electronic. Unconfirmed internet rumours claim that high voltage or magnetic fields of 360&nbsp;kV to overcome the [http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coulomb_barrier Coulomb barrier] might be in use. But use of such high voltage is not possible in such a small device due to spark generation.

The inventors claim that the so called "fusion" also generates weak gamma and neutron radiation.<ref>Battaglia, L. Daddi, S. Focardi, V. Gabbani, V. Montalbano, F. Piantelli, P.G. Sona, S. Veronesi. "''Neutron emission in Ni-H Systems''". Nuovo Cimento 112A, pp. 921, 1999.</ref> Radiation is said to be β+-radiation with positrons (known from potassium&nbsp;40-decay). They also claim that they don't know the functional principle. A response in their blog speculates about similarities between the Rossi Focardi Energy Amplifier and the [[Hydrino]] theorie of the american physician<!-- Arzt, Physiker ist nicht gemeint --> and electro engineer Randell Mills who claims to work with hydrogen and nickel too. Supporters of "cold fusion" theories often claim that so called [[Low Energy Nuclear Reactions]] (LENR) are happening. The term LENR is not used in professional journals and such fusion processes were not observed till now.

The inventors claim the so called "fusion" also generated weak gamma and neutron radiation.<ref>Battaglia, L. Daddi, S. Focardi, V. Gabbani, V. Montalbano, F. Piantelli, P.G. Sona, S. Veronesi. "''Neutron emission in Ni-H Systems''". Nuovo Cimento 112A, pp. 921, 1999.</ref> Radiation is said to be β+-radiation with positrons (known from potassium&nbsp;40-decay). They also claim they did not know the functional principle. A response in their blog speculates about similarities between the Rossi Focardi Energy Amplifier and the [[Hydrino]] theory of American physician and electrical engineer Randell Mills who claims to work with hydrogen and nickel, too. Supporters of "cold fusion" theories often claim so called [[Low Energy Nuclear Reactions]] (LENR) were happening. The term LENR is not used in professional journals and such fusion processes were not observed as of yet.

Other guesses from the Internet believe that it is just a chemical reaction, which is unknown to the inventors and normally used to extract nickel from ore. The Sherritt-Gordon process"<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cobalt_extraction_techniques#Recovery_from_nickel-cobalt_sulfide_concentrates_.28Sherritt_process.29</ref> is accompanied by heat, but a normal chemical reaction. That copper can be detected after the reaction can be explained since Nickel is usually impure and usually contains some copper.

Further internet speculations contend it was just a chemical reaction unknown to the inventors and normally used to extract nickel from ore. The Sherritt-Gordon process"<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cobalt_extraction_techniques#Recovery_from_nickel-cobalt_sulfide_concentrates_.28Sherritt_process.29</ref> is accompanied by heat, but a normal chemical reaction. The detection of copper after the reaction may be explained since nickel is usually impure and contains some copper.

==Application and success claims==

==Application and claims of success==

[[image:FAE1.jpg|Input and output of the reactor according to the inventors<ref>S. Focardi, A. Rossi: ''A new energy source from nuclear fusion.'', journal og nuclear physics. [http://www.journal-of-nuclear-physics.com/files/Rossi-Focardi_paper.pdf]</ref>|400px|thumb]]

[[image:FAE1.jpg|Input and output of the reactor according to inventors<ref>S. Focardi, A. Rossi: ''A new energy source from nuclear fusion.'', journal og nuclear physics. [http://www.journal-of-nuclear-physics.com/files/Rossi-Focardi_paper.pdf]</ref>|400px|thumb]]

Focardi and Rossi claim that they have achieved increasing heat output of their device over the years. They state that one nickel rod is sufficient for 6 months. Rossi reports in his patent application that he heats the rooms of his company with the reactor and has saved in the last 6&nbsp;months more than 90% of his electrical bill.:

Focardi and Rossi claim they achieved an increasing heat output of their device over the years. They state one nickel rod was sufficient for 6 months. In the patent application, Rossi reported he was heating his company's bureau with the reactor and thus saved more than 90% in electricity bills during the last 6&nbsp;months:

:''A practical embodiment of the inventive apparatus, installed on October&nbsp;16, 2007, is at present perfectly operating 24&nbsp;hours per day, and provides an amount of heat sufficient to heat the factory of the Company EON of via Carlo Ragazzi&nbsp;18, at Bondeno (Province of Ferrara)."''

:''A practical embodiment of the inventive apparatus, installed on October&nbsp;16, 2007, is at present perfectly operating 24&nbsp;hours per day, and provides an amount of heat sufficient to heat the factory of the Company EON of via Carlo Ragazzi&nbsp;18, at Bondeno (Province of Ferrara)."''

A "kW-module" allegedly runs in a "Leonardo facility" in New Hampshire (USA) since 2008, where Rossi is currently employed.

A "kW-module" allegedly operates in a "Leonardo facility" in New Hampshire (USA) since 2008, where Rossi is currently employed.

==Nickel consumption and Costs==

==Nickel consumption and Cost==

According to Rossi 100&nbsp;gramm nickel powder are consumed over a period of 6 months at 10&nbsp;kW (therm.) output. The costs for the "fuel" would amount to 2&nbsp;Euro.<ref>Nyteknik-Chat 12.03.2011, [http://www.nyteknik.se/nyheter/energi_miljo/energi/article3124295.ece]</ref> An E-cat should cost about 2.000&nbsp;Euro per kW output (a 10&nbsp;kW-model thus 20.000&nbsp;Euro).

According to Rossi, 100&nbsp;gramm nickel powder are consumed over a period of 6 months at an output of 10&nbsp;kW (therm.). The cost for the "fuel" would amount to 2&nbsp;Euro.<ref>Nyteknik-Chat 12.03.2011, [http://www.nyteknik.se/nyheter/energi_miljo/energi/article3124295.ece]</ref> An E-cat should cost about 2,000&nbsp;Euro per kW output (a 10&nbsp;kW-model thus 20.000&nbsp;Euro).

==History==

==History==

In 1989 cold fusion received wide media attention due to the claims of Fleischmann and Pons and their failed experiments. In the same year the Italian biophysicist Francesco Piantelli(University Siena) believes to have incidentally observed strong heat emission with temperatures above  1.450°&nbsp;C during an experiment with organic material which came into contact with nickel and hydrogen, which he could not explain. The incident was topic in several Italian daily papers. In 1995 Piantelli received a "Truffle Prize" for his observation during a "Workshop on Anomalies in Hydrogen / Deuterium Loaded Metals".<ref>"Truffle Prize", second Asti Workshop on Anomalies in Hydrogen / Deuterium Loaded Metals, 1995</ref>

In 1989, cold fusion received wide media attention due to the claims of Fleischmann and Pons and their failed experiments. In the same year the Italian biophysicist Francesco Piantelli(Siena University) claimed he incidentially observed strong heat emissions with temperatures above  1,450°&nbsp;C during an experiment with organic material which came into contact with nickel and hydrogen, which he could not explain. The incident was reported by several Italian daily papers. In 1995, Piantelli received a "Truffle Prize" for his observation during a "Workshop on Anomalies in Hydrogen / Deuterium Loaded Metals".<ref>"Truffle Prize", second Asti Workshop on Anomalies in Hydrogen / Deuterium Loaded Metals, 1995</ref>

The physicist Sergie Focardi from the University of Bologna heard about that and teamed up with Piantelli to investigate the phenomenon. After a couple of years they had build a nickel hydrogen rector and announced in february 1994 in a press conference their reactor as a principle for "Reazioni Nucleari a Bassa Energia" (LENR, "Low Energy Nuclear Reactions"), carefully avoiding the term "cold fusion".<ref>Press conference on 20.&nbsp;February 1994, Aula magna, University Siena</ref> In the daily newspaper an article was published and as before, in 1989, no scientific paper was published. A thermical engine output of 40-50 Watt was claimed. A nickel rod which was surface treated and "degassed" was said to be enclosed with hydrogen in the reactor.

The physicist Sergio Focardi from Bologna University heard about this and teamed up with Piantelli to investigate the phenomenon. After a couple of years they had built a nickel hydrogen reactor and in February 1994 announced  in a press conference their reactor as a principle for "Reazioni Nucleari a Bassa Energia" (LENR, "Low Energy Nuclear Reactions"), carefully avoiding the term "cold fusion".<ref>Press conference on 20.&nbsp;February 1994, Aula magna, University Siena</ref> The daily newspaper wrote an article and as before, in 1989, no scientific paper was published. A thermical engine output of 40-50 Watt was claimed. A nickel rod which was surface treated and "degassed" was said to be enclosed in the reactor with hydrogen.

==Presentation on 14.&nbsp;January 2011==

==Presentation on 14.&nbsp;January 2011==

[[image:FAE4.jpg|Video of an experiment taking several minutes during a public presentation on 14.&nbsp;January 2011 (Source: [http://curiositybox.wordpress.com/2011/01/16/bologna-14111-cronaca-test-fusione-fredda-del-reattore-nichel-idrogeno-focardi-rossi/ Curiosity-Blog])|300px|thumb]]

[[image:FAE4.jpg|Video of an experiment taking several minutes during a public presentation on January 14, 2011 (Source: [http://curiositybox.wordpress.com/2011/01/16/bologna-14111-cronaca-test-fusione-fredda-del-reattore-nichel-idrogeno-focardi-rossi/ Curiosity-Blog])|300px|thumb]]

Andrea Rossi and Sergio Focardi gave a press conference on January 14th, 2011 which was not only attended by the Italian public television broadcaster RAI (RAI&nbsp;3) and several journalists but also by several physicists from universities. In a nearby room the function of the reactor was shown for a couple of minutes. The inventors wrote about it in their blog<ref>http://www.journal-of-nuclear-physics.com/?p=360</ref>, and published three Youtube videos in Italian [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-0WvK2b7dU], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-Ru1eAymvE], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmHZrhTQhUc].

Andrea Rossi and Sergio Focardi gave a press conference on January 14, 2011 which was not only attended by the Italian public television broadcaster RAI (RAI&nbsp;3) and several journalists, but also by several physicists from universities. In a nearby room the function of the reactor was shown for a few minutes. The inventors reported this in their blog<ref>http://www.journal-of-nuclear-physics.com/?p=360</ref>, and published three Youtube videos in Italian [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-0WvK2b7dU], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-Ru1eAymvE], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmHZrhTQhUc].

During the pressconference they stated that the heat input was 600&nbsp;Watt and the estimated output 12.000&nbsp;Watt (12&nbsp;kW). The produced heat was calculated from the heated water: 292 gramm water per minute were heated from 20 degree to 101 degrees(dry vapor) and evaporated. The attending physicists were allowed to do some measurements. They were disappointed in regard to a spectral analysis of the gamma radiation which was denied because of secrecy reasons. In a detailed report from independent physicists from the university of Bologna was stated, that no gamma radiation could be measured, even though two holes were made into the device for  measurement purposes. From the report:

During the press conference they stated that the heat input was 600&nbsp;Watt and the estimated output 12.000&nbsp;Watt (12&nbsp;kW). The produced heat was calculated from the heated water: 292 grammes of water per minute were heated from 20 degree to 101 degrees(dry vapor) and evaporated. The attending physicists were allowed to take some measurements. They were disappointed in regard of a spectral analysis of the gamma radiation which was denied because of secrecy reasons. In a detailed report from independent physicists from the university of Bologna was stated, that no gamma radiation could be measured, even though two holes were made into the device for  measurement purposes. From the report:

:''no gamma radiation above the background level in the energy region Eγ > 200 keV has been observed, neither in single counting, not in coincidence;<br>regardless of the internal details of the reaction chamber, shieldings and other industrial secrets, the γ rates measured with the NaI counters seem not compatible with the rates deduced or expected assuming that the energy production was due to nuclear fusion or decay reactions, as suggested in [1].''

:''no gamma radiation above the background level in the energy region Eγ > 200 keV has been observed, neither in single counting, not in coincidence;<br>regardless of the internal details of the reaction chamber, shieldings and other industrial secrets, the γ rates measured with the NaI counters seem not compatible with the rates deduced or expected assuming that the energy production was due to nuclear fusion or decay reactions, as suggested in [1].''