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Line 2: − + − A Greek business newspaper announced in March 2011 that the concept is central to a speculative investment-deal of several hundred million Euro. Rossi had been in conflict with the law previously and had also offered thermoelectrical elements with wondrous efficiency, which showed just average properties when tested.+ − + − + − + − + − + − + − + − The company of Rossi EON Srl and the "Leonardocorp." did not provide further information.+ − + − + Line 41:
Line 41: − + − + − When heating with electrical energy, protons from hydrogen gas are said to enter the nickel atoms at 180-400 degrees Celsius and that should lead to a nuclear reaction if pressure is increased strongly at regular intervals. Altogether, hydrogen is said to be consumed and some helium is generated.<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 nickel rod is said to show tiny surface craters after a reaction. According to the patent application, the electrical pre-heating will be turned off automatically by a thermostat when a certain operating temperature is achieved. Further electrical energy (20 to 80 W) was only necessary to supply control electronics. Internet rumours which cannot be verified claim that high voltage or a magnetic field of 360 kV to overcome the [http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coulomb_barrier Coulomb barrier] might be applied. The application of so high a voltage is not possible within such a small device due to spark generation.+ − + − + − + + + − Looking for possible heat sources [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absorption_%28chemistry%29 Absorption]] of hydrogen in nickel in a chemical reaction comes to mind. Hydrogen gas can enter into nickel (and other metals). Extraction on the other hand leads to cooling. − Cold fusion followers came up repeatetly with a speculation in 2011 that connected the functional principle of the Rossi energy catalyzer to a theory that is not recognized by scientific physics, the [[Widom Larson theory]], in which the Coulomb barrier plays no role. Andrea Rossi declared on request that this theory was not needed to explain the functional principle. The Theory was formulated in 2005 by Allan Widom and Lewis Larsen and published in "Eur. Phys. J. C"<ref>"Ultra Low Momentum Neutron Catalyzed Nuclear Reactions on Metallic Hydride Surfaces," Eur. Phys. J. C, 46: 107–111. (2006)</ref> ([http://arxiv.org/abs/cond-mat/0505026 Full Text]). According to that theory the discussed "cold fusion" processes are not actual fusion processes but interactions where the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weak_interaction weak nuclear force] plays a role. The theory claims that electrons and protons can transform to "ultra low momentum" neutrons and one neutrino (e- + p –> n + neutrino). The "Ultra Low Momentum Neutrons" are said to bind after a short time to adjacent nuclei. The Widom Larson theory should help to circumvent the problem of the ''"Three Miracles of Cold Fusion"'' of Huizenga - 1993 ( the lack of measurable neutron radiation, avoidance of the Coulomb barrier and the lack of high energy gamma rays) with a purported compliance to established physical laws. Reactions involving the weak interaction are mediated by [http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/W-Boson W bosons], that could be demonstrated experimentally in 1983 with the particle accelerator (CERN). W-bosons have roughly 80 times mass of protons and a very short range.<br><br>+ − The inventors claim that the high thermal output of the energy catalyzers is the result of a special catalyst, whose composition is kept secret. In scientific nuclear physics, contrary to classic physics, the usage of catalyst for fusion processes is unknown.+ − + − Professor Sven Kullander writes in his report about the experiment on March 29, 2011 that the reaction was stopped by switching off the heater and increasing the cooling water flow to a maximum of 30 litres per hour. This contradicts previous claims that the heater would be turned of when operating temperature has been reached. The red wire in the picture to the right(cm 31 - 34) is obviously the heater supply. With a cable this thick it is possible to power the heater from a regular wall outlet with 220 volt/10 amp, which in turn would yield 2200 Watt and could explain the steam generation..+ − + − + − + − + − + − + Line 84:
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Line 144: − + − + − Criticized was also the placement of the probe, which was supposed to measure the heat of the water during the test. The probe was inserted from outside the "reactor" and might have come into contact with an inner heating resistor which would have made an assessment of the heat output impossible. Further criticism was targeted at the start temperature which might even have been below the (unknown) room temperature, which complicates the interpretation of the data even more.+ Line 151:
Line 155: − + − The observers were allowed to examine two material samples in advance: the nickel powder and "used" nickel power from an experiment which had previously been run for 2 and a half months. Rossi delivered the samples during a visit in Sweden. The used sample contained 10% copper and 11% iron according to an analysis done at the Ångström Laboratory (Ångströmlaboratoriet) of Uppsala university. Surprisingly, the isotope ratio of nickel and copper (isotope 63 and isotope 65) was equal to the natural isotopic composition.+ − + − + − + − + − + − + − + − + Line 182:
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Line 193: − + − + − + − + − The Italian inventor Andrea Rossi was born on June 3, 1950 in Milano. In his curriculum vitae presenting his occupational history on his website<ref>http://ingandrearossi.com/gli-inizi/</ref> (see picture on the right dated March 4, 2011), Rossi specifies he graduated in philosophy at the University of Milan. He claims as a second "Laurea" title (common term for a final degree at an Italian University with an obligatory doctorate) in "Ingegneria Chimica" (chemical engineering) at a Californian "Kensington University Inc.". This company was officially registered in Hawaii, but operated from Glendale in California<ref>Kensington University, 520 E Broadway Suite 400, Glendale, CA 91205 </ref> and was a wellknown [[diploma mill]] until it was shut down on court orders.<ref>Article in the "LA-Times": ''Kensington University Faces Closure Hearing''. April 23, 1996 | JOHN CHANDLER, TIMES STAFF WRITER.<br>Kensington University has no classrooms, laboratories or dorms. Its students don't play football, join fraternities or linger dreamily on a quadrangle. In fact, the entire campus is housed in a small Glendale office building. Recruiting from across the nation, the school runs a program in which students studying entirely at home can earn anything from a bachelor's degree to a doctorate--all without ever attending a single class or even meeting their instructors face to face.</ref><ref>http://www.osac.state.or.us/oda/unaccredited.aspx</ref><ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_unaccredited_institutions_of_higher_education</ref>. IThe company was sentenced to restitute all former customers (see picture to the left). The company had been reported to the law by a consumer protection organisation.<ref>http://hawaii.gov/dcca/ocp/udgi/lawsuits/kensington/kensington_u_dj.pdf</ref>+ − + − + Line 208:
Line 212: − + − + − + − + − + − The Leonardo Corp. is registered in Miami(Florida) too, in an apartment in a block of a residential area. The telephone number(603) 4875192 however, belongs to a phone in New Hampshire.+ − + − + − The Italian company EFA srl based in Bologna<ref>EFA srl, Via Marsili 4, I-40100 Bologna</ref> is a limited liability company run byRossis wife Maddalena Pascucci. She holds 70% of the shares. A minority stake is held by a business consultant named Giuliano Guandalini. Guandalini had worked for Rossi before. The EFA is the owner of the distribution rights for Europe and contractual partner for both the University of Bologna (as of June 2011 the contract was not signed) as well as Defkalion.+ − At the same address as the EFA, Via Marsili 4, Bologna, resides also the company Systems GM 2000th (Giuliano Guandalini), the landlord of the rooms where Rossi conducts his experiments.+ − + − + − The US-American startup company AmpEnergo Inc. founded on April 20,2009 in Bedford, New Hampshire<ref>AmpenErgo Inc, 116-G South River Road, Bedford NH 03110</ref><ref>President: Karl Norwood, founders and main shareholders: Karl Norwood (NAI Norwood Group, Inc.), Richard Noceti (LTI-global.com), Robert Gentile and Craig Cassarino. Minority shareholder: Ronald Engleman</ref> (Website: [http://ampenergo.com/]) signed a contract with inventor Andrea Rossi in March 2011. While "Leonardo Corp." should build the energy catalyzers, marketing is planned to be done throughAmpEnergo. According to the Swedish journal Rossi has received a fincancial grand by this company.<ref>http://www.nyteknik.se/nyheter/energi_miljo/energi/article3179019.ece</ref> According to information from press AmpEnergo is currently seeking inventors. + − + − + − + − here is a small startup company in Athens named "Defkalion Energy" resp. "Defkalion Green Technologies S.A."<ref>http://www.defkalion-energy.com/</ref><ref>http://newenergytimes.com/v2/sr/RossiECat/docs/DefkalionBoardRegistration.pdf</ref> (named after [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deucalion Deucalion], in Greek mythology a son of Prometheus), owned by various investors, which will according to Rossi produce some of the "energy catalyzers". The owners of Defkalion are unknown, but are mostly from Greece and near-east countries according to Defkalion. Major shareholder of Defkalion is a PRAXEN Ltd. based in Limassol (Cyprus).+ − + − + − + − + − + − + − + − + − The Cyprus Company PRAXEN Ltd. which is connected to Defkalion vice president Alexandros Xanthoulis can according to Cypriot law keep its shareholders secret. Andrea Rossi's wife Maddalena Pascucci, a trained economist operational, appears to focus on controlling the commercial aspect of the energy catalyzer business. She is director of the Italian EFA srl, which has a business relationship with the PRAXEN Ltd .+ − + − + − + − + − + − − − Line 276:
Line 277: − + + − + − + − + − An Italian patent with the same content was granted in April 2011 with the number IT MI20080629 (''processo ed apparecchiatura per ottenere reazioni esotermiche, in particolare da nickel ed idrogeno.'').<ref>IT MI20080629 (A1), METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CARRYING OUT NICKEL AND HYDROGEN EXOTHERMAL REACTIONS. Publication date: 2009-10-10. Inventor(s): ROSSI ANDREA, Applicant(s): PASCUCCI MADDALENA.+ − + − + − + − + − + − * patent application PI2011A000046 (Italy) from April 26, 2011: ''metodo e apparato per generare energia mediante reazioni nucleari di idrogeno adsorbito per cattura orbitale da una nanostruttura cristallina di un metallo''. Not public. − + + Line 311:
Line 313: − Noteworthy reception from respective associations or universities never happened, an attempt by the inventors to publish their principle in a professional magazine failed. As of January 2011, no proper scientific publication is known. Only single physicists reacted with blog entries or comments to the topic.+ − The invention was covered in 4 articles in Italian daily newspapers (sometimes just in local section). Also, a small private radio station made an interview. A Greek business paper and a private tv station covered it. „Nyeteknik“reported in Sweden, some positive coverage was done in USA by the "Washington Times", which belongs to the [[Moon-Cult]], in an article of Frank Perley.<ref>Frank Perley: ''PERLEY: [http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/mar/17/nuclear-future-beyond-japan/ Nuclear future beyond Japan - Purported cold fusion advance aimed at energy woes]'', "The Washington Times", March 3, 2011.</ref>+ − + − + − − ==See also== − *[[Zirconium fusion reactor of Bolotov]] Line 367:
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Focardi-Rossi Energy-Catalyzer (view source)
Revision as of 16:25, 13 June 2011
, 16:25, 13 June 2011typos, grammar, expr., etc.
[[image:Rossi_Focardi3.jpg|Andrea Rossi and Sergio Focardi (Picture: TV channel "Rainews24")|300px|thumb]]
[[image:Rossi_Focardi3.jpg|Andrea Rossi and Sergio Focardi (Picture: TV channel "Rainews24")|300px|thumb]]
[[image:John_Michell_Ecat.jpg|Planned book of a John Michell: Rossi's eCcat - Free Energy, Free Money, Free People. (Xecnet Verlag)|thumb]]
[[image:John_Michell_Ecat.jpg|Planned book of a John Michell: Rossi's eCcat - Free Energy, Free Money, Free People. (Xecnet Verlag)|thumb]]
The '''Focardi-Rossi Energy-Catalyzer''' (also ''E-Cat'' or ''Rossi Energy Amplifier'') is an alleged compact fusion reactor planned to be brought to market in 2011. According to Italian inventors, alleged engineer(see below) Andrea Rossi<ref>Rossi: ''I am a doctor in the Philosophy of Science and Engineering from the Universita’ Degli Studi Di Milano''</ref> and Professor emeritus in physics Sergio Focardi, [[Cold Fusion|cold fusion]] of hydrogen and nickel was taking place in the reactor<ref>Andrea Rossi in his patent application, Page 12: ''the reaction actually provides a true nuclear cold fusion.''</ref>, leading under emission of strong heat to the formation of copper. The demonstrations of Rossi in 2011 were criticized by various sources. Neither gamma nor neutron radiation could be measured<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> and there is no proof for the creation of non-natural isotope ratios in the alleged fusion products. The respective experiments, which should have shown energy production through "cold fusion", had several methodological weaknesses and were riddled with contradicting statements. Independent tests, which might have proven a fusion process according to the said principle, failed so far. Specialist literature about the "Energy-Catalyzer" is not available(as of April 2011).
The '''Focardi-Rossi Energy-Catalyzer''' (also ''E-Cat'' or ''Rossi Energy Amplifier'') is an alleged compact fusion reactor planned to be marketed in 2011. According to Italian inventors, alleged engineer (see below) Andrea Rossi<ref>Rossi: ''I am a doctor in the Philosophy of Science and Engineering from the Universita’ Degli Studi Di Milano''</ref> and Professor emeritus in physics Sergio Focardi, [[Cold Fusion|cold fusion]] of hydrogen and nickel was taking place in the reactor<ref>Andrea Rossi in his patent application, page 12: ''the reaction actually provides a true nuclear cold fusion.''</ref>, which, at strong heat, led to the creation of copper. Rossi's 2011 demonstrations were criticized by various sources. Neither gamma nor neutron radiation could be measured<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>, and there is no proof of the creation of non-natural isotope ratios in the alleged fusion products. The respective experiments which should have shown energy production through "cold fusion", suffered from several methodic shortcomings and displayed contradicting statements. Independent tests, which might have proven a fusion process according to the said principle, failed so far. Specialist literature regarding the "energy-catalyzer" is not available (as of May 2011).
In March 2011, a Greek business journal titled „Investor's World“ reported the concept was central to a speculative investment deal worth several hundred million Euro. Rossi, having got in conflict with the law previously, had also supplied thermoelectrical elements of an alleged miraculous efficiency which, however, displayed merely average properties when tested.
The actual inventor of the principle was Italian biophysicist Francesco Piantelli in 1989 who filed patent applications on it in 1995 and 2010.<ref>Piantelli, F., ''Energy Generation and Generator by Means of Anharmonic Stimulated Fusion''. Patent EP 0767962 B1, 1995. [https://data.epo.org/publication-server/pdf-document?PN=EP0767962%20EP%200767962&iDocId=4823352&iepatch=.pdf]</ref><ref>WO 2010058288 A1: METHOD FOR PRODUCING ENERGY AND APPARATUS THEREFOR. 2010-05-27. Erfinder: PIANTELLI SILVIA; PIANTELLI FRANCESCO</ref> Rossi, who also attempts to have his invention patented, does not recognize that: ''"My process has nothing to do with the process of Piantelli. The proof is that I am making operating reactors, he is not."'' The patent expert of Piantelli claimed in May 2011 that Rossi had no chance to patent the functional principle since Piantelli already has a patent on it since 1995.<ref>Angelo Saso: La magia del signor Rossi, Rainews24 May 3, 2011</ref> Some aspects of the claimed functional principle are also similar to descriptions in a patent of the Japanese Yoshiaki Arata from July 2005 (see below). A remote similarity can also be found to the [[CETI Patterson Power Cell]].
The actual inventor of the principle was Italian biophysicist Francesco Piantelli in 1989 who filed patent applications in 1995 and 2010.<ref>Piantelli, F., ''Energy Generation and Generator by Means of Anharmonic Stimulated Fusion''. Patent EP 0767962 B1, 1995. [https://data.epo.org/publication-server/pdf-document?PN=EP0767962%20EP%200767962&iDocId=4823352&iepatch=.pdf]</ref><ref>WO 2010058288 A1: METHOD FOR PRODUCING ENERGY AND APPARATUS THEREFOR. 2010-05-27. Erfinder: PIANTELLI SILVIA; PIANTELLI FRANCESCO</ref> Rossi, who also attempts to have his invention patented, 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."'' Piantelli's patent expert commented in May 2011 that Rossi had no chance to have the functional principle patented since Piantelli already held a patent on it since 1995.<ref>Angelo Saso: La magia del signor Rossi, Rainews24 May 3, 2011</ref> Some aspects of the claimed functional principle also happen to be similar to descriptions in a patent registered by Yoshiaki Arata in Japan dated July 2005 (see below). A remote similarity to the [[CETI Patterson Power Cell]] can also be established.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CETI_Patterson_Power_Cell</ref>
==Purported functional principle==
==Purported functional principle==
[[image:Ecat3.jpg|Power control and main switch|left|thumb]]
[[image:Ecat3.jpg|Power control and main switch|left|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]]
[[image:FAE3.jpg|Andrea Rossi and the reactor (demonstration dd. 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:Ecat4.jpg|Heating power can be choosen in 9 steps: 0...9|left|thumb]]
[[image:Ecat4.jpg|Heating power can be selected in 9 steps: 0...9|left|thumb]]
[[image:Rossi_Ecat2.jpg|several "Ecat" without shielding and isolation. Picture: Giuseppe Levi|350px|thumb]]
[[image:Rossi_Ecat2.jpg|Several "E-cat" stripped of shielding and insulation. Picture: Giuseppe Levi|350px|thumb]]
[[image:Ecat5.jpg|Power control|left|thumb]]
[[image:Ecat5.jpg|Power control|left|thumb]]
[[image:Rossi_Ecat.jpg|Reaction chamber from outside, lead shielding and isolation removed. Below: Outer heating resistor (here: heating sleeve 300W), above: hydrogen intake, left and right: cooling water line. Image: Giuseppe Levi|350px|thumb]]
[[image:Rossi_Ecat.jpg|Outside view of reaction chamber, lead shielding and insulation removed. Below: Outer heating resistor (here: heating sleeve 300W), above: hydrogen intake, left and right: cooling water line. Image: Giuseppe Levi|350px|thumb]]
[[image:Hydrogen.jpg|Hydrogen pressure indicator|left|thumb]]
[[image:Hydrogen.jpg|Hydrogen pressure indicator|left|thumb]]
[[image:Heizmanschette.jpg|Typical heating sleeve|thumb]]
[[image:Heizmanschette.jpg|Typical heating sleeve|thumb]]
[[image:Rossi6.jpg|Claims of cheap nickel isotope enrichment as part of the invention (Screenshot: Blog "Journal of nuclear physics", April 11, 2011)|350px|thumb]]
[[image:Rossi6.jpg|Claims of cheap nickel isotope enrichment as part of the invention (Screenshot: Blog "Journal of nuclear physics", April 11, 2011)|350px|thumb]]
All data that are currently available regarding the "Focardi-Rossi Energy Catalyzer" come from the inventors and their Internet blog, from a patent application by Rossi, from YouTube videos, and from statements from the few physicists who tried to replicate the principle. There has been no noteworthy reception on the part of the international physics community so far. An attempt of the inventors to publish an article on their device in a renowned professional journal failed. Only individual physicists reacted with public blog entries and comments (e.g.: [http://aleklett.wordpress.com/2011/04/11/rossi-energy-catalyst-a-big-hoax-or-new-physics/][http://www.fysik.org/WebSite/fragelada/resurser/cold_fusion.pdf][http://pages.csam.montclair.edu/~kowalski/cf/388amplifier.html]). The most renowned person that commented the energy catalyzer so far is the English Nobel prize winner Brian Josephson. Josephson is known for years as a supporter of so called "cold fusion". As of January 2011, no proper scientific publication is known. Focardi and Rossi spread their statements in their own "online periodical" titled "Journal of Nuclear Physics", basically an internet blog, and in Italian journal "Il Cimento". On inquiry, physicist Focardi advised that the "Journal of Nuclear Physics" was founded by Rossi since publication in accredited journals failed. Focardi stated that [http://arxiv.org "arXiv.org"] was the journal, that declined to publish them: ''A. Carnera, S. Focardi, A. Rossi, to be published on Arxiv.''.
All data currently available regarding the "Focardi-Rossi Energy Catalyzer" come from inventors and their internet blog, from a patent application submitted by Rossi, from YouTube videos, and from statements of the few physicists who tried to replicate the principle. There has been no noteworthy reception on the part of the international physics community so far. An attempt of inventors to publish an article on their device in a renowned professional journal failed. Only individual physicists reacted with public blog entries and comments (e.g.: [http://aleklett.wordpress.com/2011/04/11/rossi-energy-catalyst-a-big-hoax-or-new-physics/][http://www.fysik.org/WebSite/fragelada/resurser/cold_fusion.pdf][http://pages.csam.montclair.edu/~kowalski/cf/388amplifier.html]). The most renowned person having commented the energy catalyzer so far is English Nobel Prize winner Brian Josephson. Josephson has been known for a supporter of so called "cold fusion" for years. As of January 2011, no proper scientific publication is known. Focardi and Rossi publish statements in their own "online periodical" titled "Journal of Nuclear Physics", basically an internet blog, and in Italian journal "Il Cimento". Upon inquiry, physicist Focardi advised the "Journal of Nuclear Physics" was founded by Rossi since publication in accredited journals failed. Focardi stated that [http://arxiv.org "arXiv.org"] was the journal which rejected them: ''A. Carnera, S. Focardi, A. Rossi, to be published on Arxiv.''.
Rossi's company EON Srl and "Leonardocorp." did not provide further information so far.
According to available and in part contradictory information from inventors Focardi and Rossi, the small reactor allegedly enables exothermal fusion. They claim they managed to "produce" 130 kW thermal energy in an extreme case, and needed just 80 to 1,250 Watts to "pre-heat" respectively to operate the electronic control system.
According to – partly contradictory - information available from inventors Focardi and Rossi, the small reactor allegedly enables exothermal fusion. They claim they managed to "produce" 130 kW thermal energy in an extreme case, and needed just 80 to 1,250 Watts to "pre-heat" respectively to operate the electronic control system.
The process - disclosed only partially, although a patent application was filed (not approved as of April 2011) - involves that nickel and hydrogen gas are transformed to copper in the presence of an unknown catalyst under emission of heat and ionizing radiation. The fusion process is said to happen in a stainless steel reactor vessel which is placed inside of a copper pipe through which cooling water flows. The patent application claims the stable nickel isotope 62Ni28 (which makes about 3.6% of natural nickel) reacted with hydrogen and was transformed into the stable copper isotope 62Cu29. Rossi claims in his blog that he uses nickel isotope enrichment to get the desired amount of nickel isotopes. To be more precise, he claims to use an unexplained process to enrich with the isotope Ni58.<ref>Citation from JONP Blog:
The process - disclosed only partially, although a patent application was filed (not approved as of April 2011) - involves nickel and hydrogen gas transformed to copper in the presence of an unknown catalyst under emission of heat and ionizing radiation. The fusion process is said to happen in a stainless steel reactor vessel which is placed inside of a copper pipe through which cooling water flows. The patent application claims the stable nickel isotope 62Ni28 (which makes about 3.6% of natural nickel) reacted with hydrogen and was transformed into the stable copper isotope 62Cu29. In his blog, Rossi claims he uses nickel isotope enrichment to get the desired amount of nickel isotopes. To be more precise, he claims to use an unexplained process to achieve enrichment with isotope Ni58.<ref>Citation from JONP Blog:
Daniel de França MTd2
Daniel de França MTd2
April 29th, 2011 at 2:09 PM
April 29th, 2011 at 2:09 PM
Yes
Yes
Warm regards,
Warm regards,
A.R.</ref> The costs are said to be just 10% of the overall costs for nickel powder. Actual isotope enrichment is a very expensive process. Rossi, on the other hand, specified the costs for six months of operation as only a few Euros(see below). The copper thus generated is said to contain two stable copper isotopes, with an isotope proportion different from the one in natural copper.<ref>According to S. 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> An independent analysis in Sweden did not find an isotope ratio different from the natural one. Such a fusion would require very high temperatures and would result in emmision of strong gamma radiation from the destruction of positrons and electrons.<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><br><br>
A.R.</ref> The costs are said to be just 10% of the overall costs for nickel powder. Actual isotope enrichment is a very expensive process. Rossi, on the other hand, specified the costs for six months of operation as only a few Euros( see below). The copper thus generated is said to contain two stable copper isotopes, with an isotope proportion different from the one in natural copper.<ref>According to S. 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> An independent analysis in Sweden did not find an isotope ratio different from the natural one. Such a fusion would require very high temperatures and should result in the emission of strong gamma radiation from the destruction of positrons and electrons.<ref>According to Prof. Jonghwa Chang, Chief Research Advisor of the "Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute", in answering an inquiry by an Italian chemist. see: [http://www.queryonline.it/2011/01/31/il-ritorno-della-fusione-fredda-2/]</ref>
While nickel rods were used initially, recent experiments used nickel powder (particle size is said to be in the nm-range, the patent application mentions 10 µm). Rossi mentions "Gerli Metalli" company<ref>Powder nickel: Gerli Metalli--Milan</ref> from Milan as their supplier. Furthermore, unknown catalysts, not specified even in the patent application are said to be employed. Nickel oxide - which reacts with hydrogen creating water and heat (NiO2 + H2 --> Ni + H20) was allegedly not used. According to the patent application an inner water circuit(with a boric acid solution) is placed inside of the reactor and heat is transferred by a heat exchanger to an external water circuit.
While nickel rods were used initially, recent experiments used nickel powder (particle size is said to be in the nm-range, the patent application mentions 10 µm). Rossi mentions "Gerli Metalli" company<ref>Powder nickel: Gerli Metalli--Milan</ref> from Milan as their supplier. Furthermore, unknown catalysts, not specified even in the patent application, are said to be employed. Nickel oxide - which reacts with hydrogen creating water and heat (NiO2 + H2 --> Ni + H20) – allegedly was not used. According to the patent application, an inner water circuit (with a boric acid solution) is placed inside of the reactor, heat is transferred to an external water circuit by a heat exchanger.
By heating with electrical energy, protons from hydrogen gas are said to enter the nickel atoms at 180-400 degrees Celsius and lead to a nuclear reaction if pressure was increased strongly at regular intervals. Altogether, hydrogen is said to be consumed and some helium is generated.<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 nickel rod is said to show tiny surface craters after a reaction. According to the patent application, the electrical pre-heating will be turned off automatically by a thermostat when a certain operating temperature is achieved. Further electrical energy (20 to 80 W) was only necessary to supply control electronics. Internet rumours which cannot be verified claim that high voltage or a magnetic field of 360 kV to overcome the [http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coulomb_barrier Coulomb barrier] might be applied. The application of so high a voltage is not possible within such a small device due to spark generation.
Inventors also claim the mentioned "fusion" 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+ corpuscular radiation with positrons (known from potassium 40-decay). They also claim they do not know the exact functional principle. The actual reaction chamber is estimated at a volume of about one litre and shielded by a layer of 2 cms of lead. The inventors claim in their patent application:
Inventors also claim the mentioned "fusion" 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+ corpuscular radiation with positrons (known from potassium 40-decay). They also claim they do not know the exact functional principle. The actual reaction chamber is estimated at a volume of about one litre and shielded by a layer of 2 cms of lead. In their patent application, inventors claim:
:''The above mentioned coatings are so designed as to restrain all radiation emitted by the exothermal reaction and transform said radiation into thermal energy.''
:''The above mentioned coatings are so designed as to restrain all radiation emitted by the exothermal reaction and transform said radiation into thermal energy.''
A contribution in their blog speculatively connects the Focardi Rossi Energy Amplifier to the [[hydrino]] theory of American physician and electrical engineer Randell Mills who claims to work with hydrogen and nickel, too.<ref>[http://www.journal-of-nuclear-physics.com/?p=338 E. Stremmenos: Hydrogen/Nickel cold fusion probable mechanism. Journal of nuclear physics, 12.12.2010]</ref> Mills is said to work with hydrogen and nickel too. Supporters of "cold fusion" theories often claim that so-called [[Low Energy Nuclear Reactions]] (LENR) were taking place. The term LENR is unknown in professional literature and such fusion processes were not yet proven to exist.
A contribution in their blog speculatively connects the Focardi Rossi Energy Amplifier to the [[hydrino]] theory of American physician and electrical engineer Randell Mills who claims to work with hydrogen and nickel, too.<ref>[http://www.journal-of-nuclear-physics.com/?p=338 E. Stremmenos: Hydrogen/Nickel cold fusion probable mechanism. Journal of nuclear physics, 12.12.2010]</ref> Mills is said to work with hydrogen and nickel, too. Supporters of "cold fusion" theories often claim so-called [[Low Energy Nuclear Reactions]] (LENR) were taking place. The term LENR is not known to professional journals and such fusion processes have not been proven as of yet.
Further internet speculations believe that it was a normal chemical reaction which apparently was unknown to the inventors and was usually applied in the purification of nickel ores: the "Sherritt-Gordon process"<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cobalt_extraction_techniques#Recovery_from_nickel-cobalt_sulfide_concentrates_.28Sherritt_process.29</ref>, which is accompanied by a heat release, but is a conventional chemical reaction. The evidence of copper thus may be explained by the fact that available nickel often contains copper contaminations.
Further internet speculations assume this was a normal chemical reaction which apparently remained unknown to inventors and which was usually applied in the purification of nickel ores: the Sherritt-Gordon process"<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cobalt_extraction_techniques#Recovery_from_nickel-cobalt_sulfide_concentrates_.28Sherritt_process.29</ref>, which is accompanied by a heat release, but is a conventional chemical reaction. The evidence of copper thus may be explained by the fact that available nickel often contains copper contaminations.
Looking for possible heat sources, [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absorption_%28chemistry%29 absorption]] of hydrogen in nickel in a chemical reaction comes to mind. Hydrogen gas can enter into nickel (and other metals). Extraction on the other hand leads to cooling.
====The energy catalyzer and the Widom Larson theory====
====The energy catalyzer and the Widom Larson theory====
In 2011, cold fusion supporters repeatedly voiced speculations that the functional principle of Rossi's energy catalyzer was connected to a theory which is not recognized by scientific physics, the [[Widom Larson theory]], in which the Coulomb barrier played no role. On inquiry, Andrea Rossi explained this theory was not necessary to explain the functional principle. The theory was formulated in 2005 by Allan Widom and Lewis Larsen and published in "Eur. Phys. J. C"<ref>"Ultra Low Momentum Neutron Catalyzed Nuclear Reactions on Metallic Hydride Surfaces," Eur. Phys. J. C, 46: 107–111. (2006)</ref> ([http://arxiv.org/abs/cond-mat/0505026 Full Text]). According to this theory, the "cold fusion" processes discussed are not actual fusion but interactions in which [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weak_interaction weak nuclear force] plays a role. This theory claims electrons and protons were able to tansform to „ultra low momentum“ neutrons and one neutrino (e- + p ->n + neutrino). The Ultra Low Momentum Neutrons are said to bond to adjacent nuclei after a short time. The Widom Larson theory should avoid the problem of the ''"Three Miracles of Cold Fusion"'' of Huizenga - 1993 (the lack of measurable neutron radiation, avoidance of the Coulomb barrier, and the lack of high.energy gamma rays) due to purported compliance with established physical laws. Reactions involving the weak interaction are mediated by [http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/W-Boson W bosons] which could be demonstrated experimentally in 1983 with the particle accelerator (CERN). W-bosons have roughly 80 times the mass of protons and a very short range.<br><br>
==The mysterious catalyst==
==The mysterious catalyst==
Inventors claim the high thermal output of the energy catalyzers is the result of a special catalyst whose composition is kept secret. In scientific nuclear physics, contrary to classic physics, the use of a catalyst in fusion processes is unknown.
Unverifiable Internet rumours speculate that it might be [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raney_nickel "Raney-Nickel"] since two fires in Rossi's laboratories were caused by "Raney-Nickel". Rossi stated on inquiry that Raney-Nickel was not used. Foardi states that he does not know the composition of the catalyst himself, only Rossi knows it. Focardi gave some speculations about the compound in a radio interview on March 6, 2011. He believes that it is a chemical compound, not an element. It is not uranium. The obvious purpose of the substance is to catalyse the transformation of heated hydrogen gas (H2) in atomic hydrogen (a discussion of possible catalysts for this purpose can be found in a paper of Romanowski from 1999<ref>S. Romanowski, W. M. Bartczak, R. Wesołkowski: ''Density Functional Calculations of the Hydrogen Adsorption on Transition Metals and Their Alloys. An Application to Catalysis'', (3.8.1999), Langmuir, 1999, 15 (18), Seiten 5773–5780 - DOI: 10.1021/la981339q [http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/la981339q]</ref>). To complicate the identification of the catalyst, observers were forbidden to do a spectral analysis of possible gamma radiation, since it might allow to identify elements of the compound.
Unverifiable internet rumours speculate it might be [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raney_nickel "Raney-Nickel"] since two fires in Rossi's laboratories were caused by "Raney-Nickel". Upon inquiry, Rossi stated that no Raney-Nickel was used. Focardi stated he was not aware of the composition of the catalyst himself, since only Rossi knew it. In a radio interview dated March 6, 2011, Focardi offered some speculations about the compound. He believes it was a chemical compound, not an element. It was not uranium. The obvious purpose of the substance was to catalyse the transformation of heated hydrogen gas (H2) into atomic hydrogen (a discussion of possible catalysts for this purpose can be found in a paper by Romanowski from 1999<ref>S. Romanowski, W. M. Bartczak, R. Wesołkowski: ''Density Functional Calculations of the Hydrogen Adsorption on Transition Metals and Their Alloys. An Application to Catalysis'', (3.8.1999), Langmuir, 1999, 15 (18), Seiten 5773–5780 - DOI: 10.1021/la981339q [http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/la981339q]</ref>). To complicate the identification of the catalyst, observers were prohibited to do a spectral analysis of possible gamma radiation, since it might allow the identification of elements of the compound.
==Deactivation==
==Deactivation==
In his report on the experiment dated March 29, 2011, Professor Sven Kullander wrote the reaction was stopped by switching off the heater and increasing the cooling water flow to a maximum of 30 litres per hour. This contradicts previous claims that the heater would be turned off when operating temperature was achieved. The red wire in the picture to the right (cm 31 - 34) apparently is the heater supply. With a cable this thick it is possible to power the heater with 220 volt/10 amp from a regular wall outlet, which could provide 2,200 Watts and explain the generation of steam.
Prof. Kullander also writes that the heater acts as a safety: ''"At the end of the horizontal section there is an auxiliary electric heater to initialize the burning and also to act as a safety if the heat evolution should get out of control."'' Obviously a heater cannot act as a safeguard for a heat generating process.<ref name="Report_Kullander" />
Prof. Kullander also writes the heater acts as „safety“: ''"At the end of the horizontal section there is an auxiliary electric heater to initialize the burning and also to act as a safety if the heat evolution should get out of control."'' Quite apparently, a heater cannot act as a safeguard for a heat generating process.<ref name="Report_Kullander" />
==The self-destruct mechanism==
==The self-destruction mechanism==
According to inventor Rossi his future commercial "energy catalyzers" will be built with a self-destruct mechanism. Any attempts to inspect the secret operating mechanism and internal components of the "reactor"should be prevented with that.<ref>Andrea Rossi<br>June 6th, 2011 at 2:38 PM<br>Dear Greg:<br>Good point.
According to Rossi, future commercial „energy catalyzers“ will include a self-destruction mechanism. Any attempts to inspect the secret operating mechanism and internal components of reactors thus were prevented.<ref>Andrea Rossi<br>June 6th, 2011 at 2:38 PM<br>Dear Greg:<br>Good point.
This is why we are very conservative regarding the sale of single modules. We are engineering a system that will destroy automatically the confidential parts if the reactor is open. The reactors will be open only in our factory to replace the charge. This is why we want not to replace the charges on site.<br>Warm regards,<br>A.R.<br><br>Andrea Rossi<br>June 2nd, 2011 at 8:01 AM<br>Dear Mr Riccardo:<br>I think that the household targeted items will arrive later. We have to resolve the problem to make them self-destructive in case of opening the reactors. Otherwise, with few thousands of dollars anybody has access to the confidential aspects of the technology. In industrial plants this issue is more easy to afford and has been resolved.
This is why we are very conservative regarding the sale of single modules. We are engineering a system that will destroy automatically the confidential parts if the reactor is open. The reactors will be open only in our factory to replace the charge. This is why we want not to replace the charges on site.<br>Warm regards,<br>A.R.<br><br>Andrea Rossi<br>June 2nd, 2011 at 8:01 AM<br>Dear Mr Riccardo:<br>I think that the household targeted items will arrive later. We have to resolve the problem to make them self-destructive in case of opening the reactors. Otherwise, with few thousands of dollars anybody has access to the confidential aspects of the technology. In industrial plants this issue is more easy to afford and has been resolved.
Warm Regards,<br>A.R.<br><br>Andrea Rossi<br>June 6th, 2011 at 4:50 PM<br>
Warm Regards,<br>A.R.<br><br>Andrea Rossi<br>June 6th, 2011 at 4:50 PM<br>
Dear Greg:<br>Defkalion, I suppose, will not sell modules until the protection issue will not be resolved.<br>Warm regards,<br>A.R.</ref>
Dear Greg:<br>Defkalion, I suppose, will not sell modules until the protection issue will not be resolved.<br>Warm regards,<br>A.R.</ref>
==Claims about practical application and success==
==Claims on practical application and 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 of 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 of Nuclear Physics. [http://www.journal-of-nuclear-physics.com/files/Rossi-Focardi_paper.pdf]</ref>|400px|thumb]]
According to Focardi and Rossi, they achieved increasing heat quantities with their device over the years. They claim one nickel rod was sufficient for six months of operation. Rossi, in his patent specification, anecdotally reports he was heating his company's bureaus with this reactor which resulted in some 90% savings regarding electricity bills over a period of six months:
According to Focardi and Rossi, they achieved increasing heat quantities with their device over the years. They claim one nickel rod was sufficient for six months of operations. Rossi, in his patent specification, anecdotally reports he was heating his company's bureaus with this reactor which resulted in some 90% savings regarding electricity bills over a period of six months:
:''A practical embodiment of the inventive apparatus, installed on October 16, 2007, is at present perfectly operating 24 hours per day, and provides an amount of heat sufficient to heat the factory of the Company EON of via Carlo Ragazzi 18, at Bondeno (Province of Ferrara)."''
:''A practical embodiment of the inventive apparatus, installed on October 16, 2007, is at present perfectly operating 24 hours per day, and provides an amount of heat sufficient to heat the factory of the Company EON of via Carlo Ragazzi 18, at Bondeno (Province of Ferrara)."''
==Details regarding nickel consumption and costs==
==Details regarding nickel consumption and costs==
According to Rossi, 100 grammes of nickel powder were consumed over a period of six months at 10 kW (therm.) output. The cost for the "fuel" thus would amount to 2 Euro.<ref>Nyteknik-Chat 12.03.2011, [http://www.nyteknik.se/nyheter/energi_miljo/energi/article3124295.ece]</ref> An E-cat will cost about 2,000 Euro per kW output (a 10 kW-model thus will amount to 20,000 Euro). In the North-American radio talk show "Coast to Coast AM", which is known for propagating [[Conspiracy Theory|conspiracy theories]], Rossi said in March 2011 that his planned 1 MW small power station will cost 2 million dollars and later that his 10 kW E-Cat will cost just 5,000 dollars.<ref>Interview with Andrea Rossi, Talk Radio "Coast to Coast AM", on March 23, 2011 [http://www.coasttocoastam.com/article/rossi-cold-fusion-device]</ref> According to the Greek newspaper "Investors World" from March 2011 future "E-cat" devices will be able to produce electrical energy through an "inverter". Annual cost to customers for the production of 20 kW output "around the clock" (unclear whether thermal or electric) will amount to 1,300 Euros. "Defkalion green technologies" plans to request from RAE (regulatory authority for energy) to be included in the "renewable energy" program.<ref name="talefta">[http://talefta.blogspot.com/2011/03/new-mainstream-coverage-of-e-cat-and.html Blog about the "Investors World" article]</ref><ref name="scan">[http://www.xanthipress.gr/eidiseis/politiki/6874-xynidis-ependysi-hyperion-xanthi-ydrogono-nikelio-paragogi-energeias-ergostasio-xanthi.html Coverage and scan of the "Investors World" article] (Greek)</ref><ref name="Investors World Article">Article in the greek newspaper "Investors World" from March 12, 2011, Pages 20-21</ref>
According to Rossi, 100 grammes of nickel powder were consumed over a period of six months at 10 kW (therm.) output. The cost for the "fuel" thus amounted to 2 Euro.<ref>Nyteknik-Chat 12.03.2011, [http://www.nyteknik.se/nyheter/energi_miljo/energi/article3124295.ece]</ref> An E-cat will cost about 2,000 Euro per kW output (a 10 kW-model thus will amount to 20,000 Euro). In the North American radio chat show "Coast to Coast AM", known for propagating [[Conspiracy Theory|conspiracy theories]], Rossi said in March 2011 his planned 1 MW small power station will cost 2 million Dollars, while his 10 kW E-Cat later will cost a mere 5,000 Dollars.<ref>Interview with Andrea Rossi, Talk Radio "Coast to Coast AM", on March 23, 2011 [http://www.coasttocoastam.com/article/rossi-cold-fusion-device]</ref> According to Greek journal "Investor's World" of March 2011, future "E-cat" devices will produce electrical energy through an "inverter". Customers were to face an annual cost of 1,300 Euros for the production of a 24/7 output of 20 kW (not specified whether thermal or electric). "Defkalion Green Technologies" plans to request inclusion into the "renewable energy" programme by RAE (Regulatory Authority for Energy).<ref name="talefta">[http://talefta.blogspot.com/2011/03/new-mainstream-coverage-of-e-cat-and.html Blog about the "Investors World" article]</ref><ref name="scan">[http://www.xanthipress.gr/eidiseis/politiki/6874-xynidis-ependysi-hyperion-xanthi-ydrogono-nikelio-paragogi-energeias-ergostasio-xanthi.html Coverage and scan of the article in "Investors World"] (Greek)</ref><ref name="Investors World Article">Article in Greek journal "Investors World" of March 12, 2011, pages 20-21</ref>
==History==
==History==
[[image:RF_Ferrara.jpg|First experiments with a predecessor of the "ECat" by EON in Bondeno(Ferrara). On the right the "reactor", cooled in a bucket of water, can be seen. (Picture: S. Focardi, May 2011 [http://it.paperblog.com/la-fusione-fredda-e-tornata8230-371137/])|350px|thumb]]
[[image:RF_Ferrara.jpg|First experiments with an „ECat“ predecessor by EON in Bondeno(Ferrara). See „reactor“ on the right, cooled in a bucket of water. (Picture: S. Focardi, May 2011 [http://it.paperblog.com/la-fusione-fredda-e-tornata8230-371137/])|350px|thumb]]
"Anomalies" when adding hydrogen to nickel are reported since 1936. 1989 was marked by wide media attention to cold fusion as a result of the claims regarding the failed experiments by Fleischmann and Pons. In the same year, Italian biophysicist Francesco Piantelli (formerly University Siena) believed to have incidentally observed a strong heat emission with temperatures above 1,450° C during an experiment with organic material which came into contact with nickel and hydrogen(nickel is used in industry as a catalyst for fat hardening with hydrogen), which he could not explain. This news was also topic in several Italian newspapers. In 1995, Piantelli received a "Truffle Prize" for his observations 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> Various workgroups have made experiments with electrolysis and with nickel and hydrogen since then.
"Anomalies" when adding hydrogen to nickel have been reported since 1936. 1989 was marked by wide media attention to cold fusion as a result of claims regarding failed experiments by Fleischmann and Pons. In the same year, Italian biophysicist Francesco Piantelli (formerly University of Siena) believed to have incidentally observed a strong heat emission with temperatures above 1,450° C during an experiment with organic material which came into contact with nickel and hydrogen (nickel is used in industry as a catalyst for fat hardening with hydrogen), which he was not able to explain. The incident was reported by several Italian daily papers. In 1995, Piantelli received a "Truffle Prize" for his observations 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> Various workgroups have done experiments with electrolysis and with nickel and hydrogen since then.
Piantelli founded a private Organisation called I.M.O. (''Centro Interuniversitario interdipartimentale per lo studio delle interazioni biofisiche e biochimiche tra molecole e organismi'') after he had left Siena University. He developed a method called SQME (''Sequenze di Campi Magnetici ed Elettrici'' - ''Sequence of magnetic and electric fields'') there, which, if applied to cancer patients, should raise body temperature by four degrees and work as a [[Hyperthermia|hypothermic]] treatment. No professional literature about that is known.
Piantelli founded a private organisation called I.M.O. (''Centro Interuniversitario interdipartimentale per lo studio delle interazioni biofisiche e biochimiche tra molecole e organismi'') after he left Siena University. He developed a method called SQME (''Sequenze di Campi Magnetici ed Elettrici'' - ''Sequence of magnetic and electric fields'') there which, applied to cancer patients, allegedly raised body temperature by four degrees and thus worked as a [[Hyperthermia|hypothermic]] treatment. Specialist literature on this issue does not happen to be known.
Physicist Sergio Focardi from Bologna University heard about Piantelli's observations of temperature increases with nickel-hydrogen reactions and teamed up with him to research the phenomenon. After several years they had built a nickel hydrogen rector and, in a press conference in February 1994, announced their reactor as a principle for "Reazioni Nucleari a Bassa Energia" (LENR, "Low Energy Nuclear Reactions"), however avoiding the term "cold fusion".<ref>Press conference on 20. February 1994, Aula magna, University Siena</ref> Once more articles were published in the daily press and as before in 1989, there were no academic publications. An output of 40-50 thermal Watts was claimed. A nickel rod with a pre-treated surface which had been "degassed" for several hours was said to be enclosed in the reactor surrounded by hydrogen. Italien industry looked into the matter and tried exploit the Piantelli-principle commercially. Alas, all industrial application attempts failed. Involved companies were a TESCA-Konsortium (companies Bulla, Bergomi, Foglia, Italkero and Ecosystem), FIAT AVIO SpA corporation and PROVITA s.r.l.<ref>http://www.enea.it/produzione_scientifica/pdf_volumi/V2008_16Cold_Fusion_Italy.pdf</ref>
Physicist Sergio Focardi from Bologna University heard about Piantelli's observations of temperature increase with nickel-hydrogen reactions and teamed up with him to research the phenomenon. After several years they had built a nickel hydrogen rector and, in a press conference in February 1994, announced their reactor as a principle for "Reazioni Nucleari a Bassa Energia" (LENR, "Low Energy Nuclear Reactions"), avoiding the term "cold fusion", however.<ref>Press conference on 20. February 1994, Aula magna, University Siena</ref> Once more articles were published in the daily press and as before in 1989, there were no academic publications. An output of 40-50 thermal Watts was claimed. A nickel rod with a pre-treated surface which had been "degassed" for several hours was said to be enclosed in the reactor surrounded by hydrogen. Italian industry looked into the matter and tried to exploit the Piantelli principle commercially. However, all attempts to put it to industrial application failed. Companies involved were TESCA Syndicate (companies Bulla, Bergomi, Foglia, Italkero and Ecosystem), FIAT AVIO SpA corporation and PROVITA s.r.l.<ref>http://www.enea.it/produzione_scientifica/pdf_volumi/V2008_16Cold_Fusion_Italy.pdf</ref>
In 2007 Andrea Rossi is said to have offered Sergio Focardi a contract as a consultant, which led to cooperation.
In 2007 Andrea Rossi is said to have offered Sergio Focardi a contract as a consultant, which led to cooperation.
==Presentation on January 14, 2011==
==Presentation on January 14, 2011==
[[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|left|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|left|thumb]]
[[image:RF_14012011_3.jpg|Temperature curve, with two periods (17 minutes) where 100°C were reached (reconstructed from video)|300px|thumb]]
[[image:RF_14012011_3.jpg|Temperature curve, with two periods (17 minutes) during which 100°C were reached (reconstructed from video)|300px|thumb]]
[[image:RF_14012011_tp2.jpg|reconstructed superposition of temperature and heating curve. The time difference between the two curves should be noted, it is a results of a simplification which equates the start of heating with the start of the temperature rise. (an improved diagram is in the works)|300px|thumb]]
[[image:RF_14012011_tp2.jpg|Reconstructed superposition of temperature and heating curve. The time difference between the two curves is to be noted, it is a result of a simplification which equates the start of heating with the start of the temperature rise. (an improved diagram is in progress)|300px|thumb]]
[[image:RF_Dauer2.jpg|Screenshot from a video of the experiment used to estimate its duration|left|thumb]]
[[image:RF_Dauer2.jpg|Screenshot from a video of the experiment used to estimate its duration|left|thumb]]
[[image:Ecat power.jpg|Diagram, which shows the timeline of the electrical heating input during the experiment|300px|thumb]]
[[image:Ecat power.jpg|Diagram showing the timeline of electrical heating input during the experiment|300px|thumb]]
[[image:RF_Thermometer.jpg|Comparison of the shown probe to a HP474AC probe (Image: www.physicsforums.com)|thumb]]
[[image:RF_Thermometer.jpg|Comparison of the shown probe to a HP474AC probe (Image: www.physicsforums.com)|thumb]]
[[image:RF_Pumpe.jpg|Specifications of the used pump "LMI P18" (Image: www.physicsforums.com)|thumb]]
[[image:RF_Pumpe.jpg|Specifications of pump used "LMI P18" (Image: www.physicsforums.com)|thumb]]
Andrea Rossi and Sergio Focardi gave a press conference on January 14, 2011 which was not only attended by Italian public television station RAI (RAI 3) and numerous journalists, but also by several physicists employed at universities. Only invited people were allowed to participate. The presentation was done in rooms rented from the company "GM System" in an industrial area of Bologna<ref>Company GM System, Via dell'Elettricista 16, Bologna</ref> and not in rooms of the Bologna University as claimed on various places in the internet. During the press conference the function of the reactor was demonstrated for about an hour (55 minutes) in an adjoining room. An analysis of the recorded measurement data which can be seen on the screen of a notebook in a Youtube-video for a couple of seconds allow to estimate a duration of 15 to 20 minutes(probably 17 minutes) where a water temperature of 100 degrees or more was reached. (see picture). The data, which can be seen on the notebook were omitted from the the report about the experiment (they are, according to the physicist Levi: "lost"). It also speaks of a duration of 40 minutes, obviously the whole duration including heating up is meant. To calculate the heat output inadvertent or deliberately incorrect values of the water throughput were made, which was in truth less than half of the said amount. The inventors reported about their experiment in their blog<ref>http://www.journal-of-nuclear-physics.com/?p=360</ref>, and published three Youtube videos in Italian language [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 Italian public television station RAI (RAI 3) and numerous journalists, but also by several physicists employed at universities. Admission was restricted to invited guests. The presentation was performed in rooms rented from company "GM System" in an industrial area of Bologna<ref>Company GM System, Via dell'Elettricista 16, Bologna</ref> and not in rooms of Bologna University, as is claimed on various websites. During this press conference, the function of the reactor was demonstrated for about an hour (55 minutes) in an adjoining room. An analysis of recorded measurement data which can be seen on the screen of a notebook in a Youtube-video for a couple of seconds allow to estimate a period of 15 to 20 minutes(probably 17 minutes), during which a water temperature of 100 degrees or more was achieved. (see picture). The data visible on the notebook were omitted from the report on the experiment (according to physicist Levi, they were "lost"). The report also mentions a period of 40 minutes, obviously referring to the entire period including heating up. To calculate the heat output, inadvertent or deliberately incorrect data of water throughput were included, which was in truth less than half of the said amount. The inventors reported the experiment in their blog<ref>http://www.journal-of-nuclear-physics.com/?p=360</ref>, and published three Youtube videos in Italian language [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 press conference they stated the heat input was 600 Watts, at a calculated output of 12,000 Watts (12 kW). But according to the published report (G. Levi) the actual supplied power was on average 1,022 Watt. A new analysis of the published data gave 1,073 Watt.<ref>http://www.e-catalyzer.se/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7</ref> Power used was between 400 and 1500 W. The inventors calculated their estimation of generated heat from the heated water: 292 grammes of water per minute were heated from 20 °C to 101 °C (dry vapour) and evaporated. The attending physicists were allowed to take some measurements. They were disappointed, however, as a spectral analysis of the gamma radiation was denied for secrecy reasons. A detailed report submitted by independent physicists from Bologna University stated that no gamma radiation was detected, although the device was supplied with two openings for measurement purposes. Excerpt from the report:
During the press conference they mentioned a heat input of 600 Watts, at a calculated output of 12,000 Watts (12 kW). However, according to a report published (G. Levi), actual supplied power was 1,022 Watt on average. A further analysis of the data published showed a result of 1,073 Watt.<ref>http://www.e-catalyzer.se/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7</ref> Power used was between 400 and 1,500 W. The inventors calculated their estimate of generated heat from the heated water: 292 grammes of water per minute were heated from 20 °C to 101 °C (dry vapour) and evaporated. The attending physicists were allowed to take some measurements. They were disappointed, however, as a spectral analysis of the gamma radiation was denied for secrecy reasons. A detailed report submitted by independent physicists from Bologna University stated that no gamma radiation was detected, although the device was supplied with two openings for measurement purposes. Excerpt 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].''
Observers were allowed to weigh the hydrogen gas container before and after the experiment (weight: 13,66 kgs). Even considering possible errors in measurement (duct tape still attached), hydrogen usage was estimated at less than one gramme. Not enough to make conventional hydrogen combustion plausible. Link to the report: [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]
Observers were allowed to weigh the hydrogen gas container before and after the experiment (weight: 13,66 kgs). Even considering possible errors in measurement (duct tape still attached), hydrogen usage was estimated at less than one gramme. Not enough to make conventional hydrogen combustion plausible. Link to the report: [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]
[[image:Rf_14012011_8.jpg|Alternative calculation explaining the reported values without cold fusion(Source: unknown author "Ascoli65" from Italian forum EnergeticAmbiente.it)|480px|thumb]]
[[image:Rf_14012011_8.jpg|Alternative calculation explaining the reported values without cold fusion (Source: unknown author "Ascoli65" from Italian forum EnergeticAmbiente.it)|480px|thumb]]
'''Inconsistencies''': Several incomprehensible pieces of information were given shortly after the experiment. Even weeks later the Rossi-Team has not reacted with a correction of said pieces. Not only was the duration of the experiment with 17 minutes (where temperature was close to or above 100 degrees) shorter than claimed, but there are also reasons to doubt other claims of the inventors and operators of the experiment. The estimation of energy by evaporation of water was criticized in "www.physicsforums.com" in retrospect, as respective calculations were made assuming dry vapour without fractions of condensed water, which was not proven. The probe shown in the video can only measure the heat but not the dry condition of the steam. It was claimed that a combined probe of the type HP474AC (Delta Ohm) was used, but in the video a different probe, which looks like a SPC C45 0500 BEX - probe, can be seen. A HP474AC probe is not visible on any video. The claimed water throughput of 292 ml/min. (= 17.5 liter/h) was doubted too, since the used pump has, according to specification, only half of this capacity. A pump of the type "LMI P18" was used, as the Swedish journalist Mats Lewan confirmed in May 2011. Several previous inquiries about the type of the pump were not answer by Andrea Rossi.<ref>From JONP-Blog, Question to Rossi: ''January 28th, 2011 at 10:57 AM<br>Excuse, Dr. Levi, my insistence, but on the lack of an answer to my previous question, let me temporarily assume that the model of the pump used in the January 14th test belongs actually to the Milton Roy LMI Series P1.<br>In such a case, the capacity per stroke could be at maximum 2 ml (model P18 in the Series P1). Now, considering that the pump has been operated at about 57 strokes per minute (hear sound at the beginning of movie 2/3), it makes a maximum water flow rate of 114 ml per minute, that would be 39% only of the value indicated in your preliminary report.<br>Probably, I have got a bad impression and the pump was another one. So I think it would be of great importance, if you could gather and kindly specify, here and/or on the final version of your report, the real specific model and the relevant operating data of the water pump used in your verification test.<br>Thank you and best regards'' (Name)<br><br>A. Rossi:<br>Andrea Rossi<br>January 28th, 2011 at 10:32 PM<br>Dear (Name):<br>I do not know which kind of pump it was, because it has been chosen by the testers, but what I can say, regarding your comment, is:<br>1- the amount of the flow of water has been tested many times during the test, filling a reservoir with a well known volume and taking the time to fill it up.<br>2- I thank you very much for validating our test by redundance: in fact, if only the 39% of the measured flow should have been passed, the reactor would have produced 4.8 kWh, consuming 400 Wh. I am sure that you, being an engineer of a great energy provider, know the first and also the second thermodynamic principle, therefore I am sure you made your comment to congratulate us.<br>For this reason I thank you infinitely.<br>Warm Regards, Andrea Rossi</ref>.
The manufacturer gives a maximal flow of 12.1 l/h for the LMI P18.<ref>http://www.lmipumps.com/Files/lmi/Global/US-en/site_files/seriesj5.pdf</ref> Other models (A/B/C) of LMI pumps can be ruled out, as they they look different. Water throughput of these programmable peristaltic pumps can be regulated. The number of strokes per minute and the pumped volume can be regulated separately. The maximal number of strokes is 100 per minute. At 100 strokes/min maximum throughput is reached. In one of the YouTube-videos from the presentation on January 14, 2011 pump strokes are clearly audible for 30 seconds.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-Ru1eAymvE</ref> Counting them gives 29 or 30 strokes in those thirty seconds. The pump was regulated to 59 to 60 strokes/minute, which corresponds to 60% of maximal flow rate. Thus the heat output calculated by the team is 240% higher than actually possible with the pump shown in the video and certainly wrong. Because of the wrong claim about the mean average powerg (1.073 W instead of 600 W) an additional grave error of 78% has to be added. Had only a couple of percent of condensed water been present in the vapour it would allow to explain the steam generation just through the electrical heating.
'''Inconsistencies''': Several incomprehensible pieces of information were provided shortly after the experiment. Even weeks later, Rossi's team did not reacted with a correction. Not only was the duration of the experiment shorter than claimed before at 17 minutes (during which temperature was close to or above 100 degrees), but there is also reason to doubt further claims of inventors and operators of the experiment. The estimate of energy by evaporation of water was criticized at "www.physicsforums.com" in retrospect, as respective calculations were made assuming dry vapour without fractions of condensed water, which was not proven. The probe shown in the video can only measure the heat but not relative humidity of the steam. A combined probe of the type HP474AC (Delta Ohm) was claimed to have been used, but the video shows a different probe which looks like an SPC C45 0500 BEX - probe. An HP474AC probe is not visible in any video. The claimed water throughput of 292 ml/min. (= 17.5 liter/h) was doubted too, since the pump used had only half of this capacity according to specification. A pump of the type "LMI P18" had been used, as was confirmed in May 2011 by the Swedish reporter Mats Lewan. Several previous inquiries about the type of pump were not answered by Andrea Rossi.<ref>From JONP-Blog, Question to Rossi: ''January 28th, 2011 at 10:57 AM<br>Excuse, Dr. Levi, my insistence, but on the lack of an answer to my previous question, let me temporarily assume that the model of the pump used in the January 14th test belongs actually to the Milton Roy LMI Series P1.<br>In such a case, the capacity per stroke could be at maximum 2 ml (model P18 in the Series P1). Now, considering the pump has been operated at about 57 strokes per minute (hear sound at the beginning of movie 2/3), it makes a maximum water flow rate of 114 ml per minute, that would be 39% only of the value indicated in your preliminary report.<br>Probably, I have got a bad impression and the pump was another one. So I think it would be of great importance, if you could gather and kindly specify, here and/or on the final version of your report, the real specific model and the relevant operating data of the water pump used in your verification test.<br>Thank you and best regards'' (Name)<br><br>A. Rossi:<br>Andrea Rossi<br>January 28th, 2011 at 10:32 PM<br>Dear (Name):<br>I do not know which kind of pump it was, because it has been chosen by the testers, but what I can say, regarding your comment, is:<br>1- the amount of the flow of water has been tested many times during the test, filling a reservoir with a well known volume and taking the time to fill it up.<br>2- I thank you very much for validating our test by redundance: in fact, if only the 39% of the measured flow should have been passed, the reactor would have produced 4.8 kWh, consuming 400 Wh. I am sure that you, being an engineer of a great energy provider, know the first and also the second thermodynamic principle, therefore I am sure you made your comment to congratulate us.<br>For this reason I thank you infinitely.<br>Warm Regards, Andrea Rossi</ref>.
The report about the experiment states that the used hydrogen cylinder had been weighted before and after the test to establish the amount of used hydrogen with less than a gram margin. For the weight of the pressure cylinder different values are given, but it is said to have been 13,66 kg. Available scales for the given range (for 20/30/60 kg) allow to read weight in 0.1 gram steps but their precision is far less. Possible scales offer just a precision of 0.2 to 0.4 gram.<ref>Sartorius (CPA34001S) 34 kg d=0,1 gr e 0,2 gr.[http://www.sartorius-mechatronics.com/DE/de/praezisions-waage-dy3xpfyyb7o.html]<br>Precisa 490K 34000D, 34 kg d=0,1 gr e 0,2 gr [http://www.as-waegetechnik.de/produkte/Industriewaagen/iw/praezisionswaagen_assets/Precisa%20490.pdf]<br>Kern CDS 15K0.05 15 kg d=0,05 g, e 0,25 g<br>Adam Equipment PGL-20001 Precision Balance 20 kg d 0.1g, linearity (±): 0.4g</ref>
The manufacturer specifies a maximal flow of 12.1 l/h for the LMI P18.<ref>http://www.lmipumps.com/Files/lmi/Global/US-en/site_files/seriesj5.pdf</ref> Other models (A/B/C) of LMI pumps can be ruled out, as they definitely look different. Water throughput of these programmable peristaltic pumps can be regulated. The number of strokes per minute and the pumped volume can be regulated separately. The maximal number of strokes is 100 per minute. At 100 strokes/min, maximum throughput will be achieved. In one of the YouTube videos of the presentation on January 14, 2011, pump strokes are clearly audible for 30 seconds.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-Ru1eAymvE</ref> Counting them, 29 or 30 strokes in those thirty seconds can be established. The pump was regulated to 59 to 60 strokes/minute, which corresponds to 60% of maximal flow rate. The heat output calculated by the team is thus 240% higher than the output actually possible using the pump shown in the video, and therefore certainly wrong. These faulty specifications on the average power (1,073 W instead of 600 W) result in an additional grave error of 78%. Assuming just a few percent of condensed water in the vapour would allow to explain the steam generation just by electrical heating.
The report on the experiment states that the hydrogen cylinder employed was weighed before and after the test to establish the amount of hydrogen used with a margin of less than a gramme. Regarding the weight of the pressure cylinder, different data are given, but it is said to have been 13.66 kg. Available scales for the given range (for 20/30/60 kg) allow to read weight in steps of 0.1 gramme, but their precision is far less. Possible scales just offer a precision of 0.2 to 0.4 gram.<ref>Sartorius (CPA34001S) 34 kg d=0,1 gr e 0,2 gr.[http://www.sartorius-mechatronics.com/DE/de/praezisions-waage-dy3xpfyyb7o.html]<br>Precisa 490K 34000D, 34 kg d=0,1 gr e 0,2 gr [http://www.as-waegetechnik.de/produkte/Industriewaagen/iw/praezisionswaagen_assets/Precisa%20490.pdf]<br>Kern CDS 15K0.05 15 kg d=0,05 g, e 0,25 g<br>Adam Equipment PGL-20001 Precision Balance 20 kg d 0.1g, linearity (±): 0.4g</ref>
==Undocumented experiment on February 10/11, 2011==
==Undocumented experiment on February 10/11, 2011==
On February 10 or 11, 2011 a further "internal test" of the „E-Cat“ was carried out in Bologna, attended by allegedly "independent" physics lecturer Guiseppe Levi from Bologna University. Several sources in the Internet claim that the test had happened on February 18, 2011 instead. Sole witness was physicist Levi, leader of a physics faculty research group that got financial support for their aid in the project. Levi was also responsible for the poor report regarding the test in January. According to Guiseppe Levi's description, published in a Swedish online article titled ''"Cold Fusion: 18 hour test excludes combustion"''<ref>Mats Lewan: ''Cold Fusion: 18 hour test excludes combustion'', "nyteknik.se", article from February 23, 2011. [http://www.nyteknik.se/nyheter/energi_miljo/energi/article3108242.ece Text]</ref>, a hose connected the device this time to a water tap in order to cool the "reactor". Tap water was said to have flown through the device at about 1 liter per second and was warmed by 5 degrees (to 15-20 degrees). Obviously this test was done to counter the criticism of the the test conditions in January. The test was said to have run continuously for 18 hours, a water meter had quantified the flow and it was monitored by video during the night(that video was never released). The "reactor" was allegedly heated up for ten minutes with 1,250 Watts initially and subsequently only a control unit was supplied with 80 Watts, while an alleged constant thermal performance of 15-20 Kilowatt was established. According to Levi a 0.4 gram hydrogen were used in those 18 hours. The same source quotes Levi with the remark that he excluded "chemical energy sources" as heat source now:
On February 10 or 11, 2011, a further "internal test" of the „E-Cat“ was carried out in Bologna, attended by allegedly "independent" physics lecturer Guiseppe Levi from Bologna University. Several internet sources claim the test instead happened on February 18, 2011. Sole witness was physicist Levi, head of a physics faculty research group which received financial grants for their support in the project. Levi was also responsible for the poor quality report regarding the test in January. According to Guiseppe Levi's description, published in a Swedish online article titled ''"Cold Fusion: 18 hour test excludes combustion"''<ref>Mats Lewan: ''Cold Fusion: 18 hour test excludes combustion'', "nyteknik.se", article from February 23, 2011. [http://www.nyteknik.se/nyheter/energi_miljo/energi/article3108242.ece Text]</ref>, a hose connected the device to a water tap this time in order to cool the "reactor". Tap water was said to have flown through the device at about 1 liter per second and was warmed by 5 degrees (to 15-20 degrees). Obviously this test was done to counter the criticism of test conditions in January. The test was said to have run continuously for 18 hours, a water meter quantified the flow, and the test was monitored by video during the night (this video was never released). The "reactor" was allegedly heated up for ten minutes with 1,250 Watts initially and subsequently only a control unit was supplied with 80 Watts, while an alleged constant thermal performance of 15-20 Kilowatt was established. According to Levi, 0.4 grammes of hydrogen were used in those 18 hours. The same source quotes Levi with the remark he now excluded "chemical energy sources" as heat source:
:''...Now that I have seen the device work for so many hours, in my view all chemical energy sources are excluded..''.
:''...Now that I have seen the device work for so many hours, in my view all chemical energy sources are excluded..''.
The alleged heat output was calculated by supporters of [[Cold Fusion]] (LENR ''Low Energy Nuclear Reactions'' - CANR ''Chemically Assisted Nuclear Reactions'') to be 270-288 kWh (about one GJ), which has compared to the energy of 26 litres of heating oil.<ref>Zitat:<br>News<br>Rossi 18-hour demonstration<br>
The alleged heat output was calculated by supporters of [[Cold Fusion]] (LENR ''Low Energy Nuclear Reactions'' - CANR ''Chemically Assisted Nuclear Reactions'') at 270-288 kWh (about one GJ), which was compared to the energy of 26 litres of heating oil.<ref>Zitat:<br>News<br>Rossi 18-hour demonstration<br>
<br>
<br>
February 2011<br>
February 2011<br>
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<br>
On February 10 and 11, 2011, Levi et al. (U. Bologna) performed another test of the Rossi device. Compared to the January 14 test, they used a much higher flow rate, to keep the cooling water from vaporizing. This is partly to recover more heat, and partly because Celani and others criticized phase-change calorimetry as too complicated. There were concerns about the enthalpy of wet steam versus dry steam, and the use of a relative humidity meter to determine how dry the steam was. A source close to the test gave Jed Rothwell the following figures. These are approximations:<br>
On February 10 and 11, 2011, Levi et al. (U. Bologna) performed another test of the Rossi device. Compared to the January 14 test, they used a much higher flow rate to keep the cooling water from vaporizing. This is partly to recover more heat, and partly because Celani and others criticized phase-change calorimetry as too complicated. There were concerns about the enthalpy of wet steam versus dry steam, and the use of a relative humidity meter to determine how dry the steam was. A source close to the test gave Jed Rothwell the following figures. These are approximations:<br>
<br>
<br>
Duration of test: 18 hours<br>
Duration of test: 18 hours<br>
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<br>
Levi et al. are expected to write another paper about this test. We will upload it when it becomes available. NyTeknik published a fascinating description of the latest experiment (in English). This includes new details, such as the fact that the power briefly peaked at 130 kW. NyTeknik also published an interview with two outside experts about the demonstration: Prof. Emeritus at Uppsala University Sven Kullander, chairman of the National Academy of Sciences Energy Committee, and Hanno Essén, associate professor of theoretical physics, Swedish Royal Institute of Technology. Two versions are available, in English and Swedish.<br>LENR-CANR Org. News from February 2011. [http://lenr-canr.org/News.htm]</ref>
Levi et al. are expected to write another paper about this test. We will upload it when it becomes available. NyTeknik published a fascinating description of the latest experiment (in English). This includes new details, such as the fact that the power briefly peaked at 130 kW. NyTeknik also published an interview with two outside experts about the demonstration: Prof. Emeritus at Uppsala University Sven Kullander, chairman of the National Academy of Sciences Energy Committee, and Hanno Essén, associate professor of theoretical physics, Swedish Royal Institute of Technology. Two versions are available, in English and Swedish.<br>LENR-CANR Org. News from February 2011. [http://lenr-canr.org/News.htm]</ref>
Assuming an average output of 17 kW (the input of electrical energy for pre-heating and control may be neglected) over 18 hours actually renders about 300 kWh arithmetically speaking. The fuel value of 1 litre of oil is at about 10 kWh<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heating_oil</ref> so that in terms of figures, an amount of 30 litres may be calculated to produce the same heat quantity.
Assuming an average output of 17 kW (the input of electrical energy for pre-heating and control may be neglected) over 18 hours actually renders about 300 kWh, arithmetically speaking. The fuel value of 1 litre of oil is at about 10 kWh<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heating_oil</ref> so that in terms of figures, an amount of 30 litres may be calculated to produce the same heat quantity.
Since the volume of the visible devices can be estimated, interested parties in the Internet(Usenet) tried to find candidates for a known chemical reaction which could be done in the given volume and produces enough heat while having no problems with smoke emission, toxicity, costs and controllability. While a normal chemical reaction can indeed not be ruled out for the first demonstration in January, a replacement candidate for the alleged 18 hour experiment in February could not be found. The volume of the external control unit is said to be about 60 litres, but contained only electronics according to Levi . He estimated the actual reaction chamber at a volume of about 1 litre. The shielding is said to be a layer of 2 cms of lead with an overall weight of 30 kgs.
Since the volume of the visible devices can be estimated, interested parties in the internet (Usenet) tried to find candidates for a known chemical reaction which could be done in the given volume and produce enough heat while disregarding problems like smoke emission, toxicity, costs, and controllability. While a normal chemical reaction can indeed not be ruled out for the first demonstration in January, a replacement candidate for the alleged 18 hour experiment in February could not be found. The volume of the external control unit is said to be about 60 litres, but contained only electronics according to Levi. He estimated the actual reaction chamber at a volume of about 1 litre. The shielding is said to be a layer of 2 cms of lead with an overall weight of 30 kgs.
The placement of the probe, supposed to measure water temperatures during the test, was also criticized. The probe was inserted from outside the "reactor" and might have come into contact with an inner heating resistor which would have rendered an assessment of heat output impossible. Further criticism was targeted at the start temperature which might even have been below the (unknown) room temperature, which even more complicates the interpretation of the data.
==Experiment on March 29, 2011==
==Experiment on March 29, 2011==
[[image:29032011.jpg|380px|thumb]]
[[image:29032011.jpg|380px|thumb]]
[[image:rf_2011_4.jpg|Comparison of different heating curves|350px|thumb]]
[[image:rf_2011_4.jpg|Comparison of different heating curves|350px|thumb]]
A six-hours presentation was made on March 29, 2011 in Bologna attended by the invited Swedish physicists Sven Kullander and Hanno Essén. For "stability reasons" a smaller "energy catalyzer" with lesser output was used, which is said to have yielded 25 kWh in 6 hours with a thermal output of 4.4 kW. The same pump as in January, the LMII P18 was used in this presentation, but this time the capacity was compatible with the maximum flow capacity given by the manufacturer and therefore possible. Water throughput of 6.27 kg/h (104 ml/min) was given. As in the experiment in January water was evaporated, but without measurement of the dryness of the vapour errors of up to 600% a possible. It is also impossible in retrospect to find out if all the water was evaporated, since a drain for warm water was located near the steam port. The unit was filled with 50 grammes nickel powder. At startup hydrogen gas was pumped into the device with 25 bar but without previously pumping air out. To quote: ''The air of atmospheric pressure was remaining in the container as a small impurity.'' (Remark: If oxygen from the air would have stayed in - as claimed - water could have been formed since the nickel powder would have acted as a catalyst). Heating was done with 300 Watt.<ref>http://www.nyteknik.se/nyheter/energi_miljo/energi/article3144827.ece</ref><ref>http://www.nyteknik.se/nyheter/energi_miljo/energi/article3144772.ece</ref><ref>http://22passi.blogspot.com/2011/04/i-fisici-svedesi-sulle-cat-e-una.html</ref> During the presentation isolation and lead shielding were removed from some shown E-cats but not from the used E-cat.The attending Giuseppe Levi made pictures which were published in Italian and Swedish blogs. The Swedish observers wrote a report, which was published in Internet blogs. They write in their report<ref name="Report_Kullander">http://www.nyteknik.se/incoming/article3144960.ece/BINARY/Download+the+report+by+Kullander+and+Ess%C3%A9n+%28pdf%29.</ref> that a normal chemical reaction can be ruled out:
A six-hours' presentation was performed in Bologna on March 29, 2011, attended by the invited Swedish physicists Sven Kullander and Hanno Essén. Due to "stability reasons", a smaller "energy catalyzer" with lesser output was used, and is said to have yielded 25 kWh within 6 hours with a thermal output of 4.4 kW. The same pump as in January, the LMII P18, was used in this presentation, but this time the capacity was compatible with the maximum flow capacity specified by manufacturers and therefore probable. Water throughput was stated at 6.27 kg/h (104 ml/min). As in the experiment in January, water was evaporated, but without measuring relative humidity of the vapour, errors in measurement of up to 600% may occur. It is also impossible to establish in retrospect whether the water was evaporated completely, since the warm water drain was placed next to the steam port. The assembly was filled with 50 grammes of nickel powder. Initially, hydrogen gas was pumped into the device at 25 bar but without previously pumping air out. Quote: ''The air of atmospheric pressure remained in the container as a small impurity.'' (Note: If oxygen from the air stayed inside - as claimed -, water could have formed, since nickel powder acts as a catalyst). Heating was done at 300 Watt.<ref>http://www.nyteknik.se/nyheter/energi_miljo/energi/article3144827.ece</ref><ref>http://www.nyteknik.se/nyheter/energi_miljo/energi/article3144772.ece</ref><ref>http://22passi.blogspot.com/2011/04/i-fisici-svedesi-sulle-cat-e-una.html</ref> During the presentation, insulation and lead shielding were removed from some E-cats displayed, but not from the E-cat used. Attending Giuseppe Levi made photos which were published in Italian and Swedish blogs. The Swedish observers wrote a report also published in internet blogs. In their report<ref name="Report_Kullander">http://www.nyteknik.se/incoming/article3144960.ece/BINARY/Download+the+report+by+Kullander+and+Ess%C3%A9n+%28pdf%29.</ref>, they excluded a conventional chemical reaction:
:''Any chemical process should be ruled out for producing 25 kWh from whatever is in a 50 cubic centimeter container. The only alternative explanation is that there is some kind of a nuclear process that gives rise to the measured energy production.''
:''Any chemical process should be ruled out for producing 25 kWh from whatever is in a 50 cubic centimeter container. The only alternative explanation is that there is some kind of a nuclear process that gives rise to the measured energy production.''
Observers invited were allowed to examine two material samples in advance: the nickel powder and "spent" nickel powder from an experiment which previously had been run for 2 and a half months. Rossi delivered the samples during a visit to Sweden. According to an analysis performed at the Ångström Laboratory (Ångströmlaboratoriet) of Uppsala University, the used sample contained 10% copper and 11% iron. Surprisingly, the isotope ratio of nickel and copper (isotope 63 and isotope 65) was equal to the natural isotopic composition.
:''Both measurements show that the pure nickel powder contains mainly nickel, and the used powder is different in that several elements are present, mainly 10 percent copper and 11 percent iron. The isotopic analysis through ICP-MS doesn’t show any deviation from the natural isotopic composition of nickel and copper.''
:''Both measurements show that the pure nickel powder contains mainly nickel, and the used powder is different in that several elements are present, mainly 10 percent copper and 11 percent iron. The isotopic analysis through ICP-MS doesn’t show any deviation from the natural isotopic composition of nickel and copper.''
The given ratios were: Cu-63 70%, Cu-65 30%. Professor Sven Kullander commented such a product as extremely unlikely:
The ratios specified were: Cu-63 70%, Cu-65 30%. Professor Sven Kullander commented such a result as extremely unlikely:
:''If this reaction chain would be true even though none of the responses that I mention can be made with the knowledge we have today, then isotopic distribution Cu-63/Cu-65 be greater than 80/20, probably closer to 99/01.''<ref>[http://www.mail-archive.com/vortex-l@eskimo.com/msg44471.html Sven Kullander's additional comments on Rossi's Energy Catalyzer] im Mailarchive</ref>
:''If this reaction chain would be true even though none of the responses that I mention can be made with the knowledge we have today, then isotopic distribution Cu-63/Cu-65 be greater than 80/20, probably closer to 99/01.''<ref>[http://www.mail-archive.com/vortex-l@eskimo.com/msg44471.html Sven Kullander's additional comments on Rossi's Energy Catalyzer] im Mailarchive</ref>
The natural isotope ratio of 63Cu to 65Cu is 2,24 (69,17% to 30,83%). Focardi had previously claimed that the copper isotope ratio would be reduced to 1.6 through the "fusion".<ref>S. Focardi, A. Rossi, ''A new energy source from nuclear fusion'', Journal of Nuclear Physics, http://www.journal-of-nuclearphysics.com/?p=66, Februar 2010</ref> While there are further copper isotopes, they are unstable and are not found in nature (69,17 + 30,83 = 100).
The natural isotope ratio of 63Cu to 65Cu is 2.24 (69.17% to 30.83%). Focardi had previously claimed the copper isotope ratio would be reduced to 1.6 by "fusion".<ref>S. Focardi, A. Rossi, ''A new energy source from nuclear fusion'', Journal of Nuclear Physics, http://www.journal-of-nuclearphysics.com/?p=66, Februar 2010</ref> While there are further copper isotopes, these are unstable and are not found in nature (69,17 + 30,83 = 100).
It is not only statistically (nearly) impossible that after an alleged fusion reaction with copper as fusion product an "used" sample will show the same isotope ratio as found in nature. Further considerations about the sample analysis expose insurmountable obstacles to the possibility of fusion:<br>In theory, the stable copper isotopes 63Cu and 65Cu might be a result of fusion of hydrogen and nickel isotopes 62Ni and 64Ni (add one proton each). But according to the Swedish Institute that analysed the samples the unused nickel sample just contained in sum 4.5% of these stable nickel isotopes. Assuming the unlikely case all nickel 62 and nickel 64 atoms were fused(which is unlikely) with a proton (hydrogen nucleus), the amount of copper would not amount to even 10% of the resulting mass. Even an alternative reaction chain with unstable isotopes is impossible based on the measured isotope ratios and the absence of radiation. It would be possible to assume nickel 58 as starting isotope which would become copper 59 and decay to nickel 59. Which in turn would become copper 60 and decay to nickel 60 which would fuse to copper 61, decay to nickel 61 and fuse to copper 62 and decay to nickel 62. In the end stable copper 63 would be formed. But this would necessitate a completely different copper isotope ratio then found in the analysis.
It is not only statistically (almost) impossible that, after an alleged fusion reaction with copper as a fusion product, a "used" sample will show the same isotope ratio as found in nature. Further considerations on sample analysis expose insurmountable obstacles to the possibility of fusion:<br>In theory, the stable copper isotopes 63Cu and 65Cu might be a result of fusion of hydrogen and nickel isotopes 62Ni and 64Ni (add one proton each). But according to the Swedish Institute having analysed the samples, the unused nickel sample only contained 4.5% in sum of these stable nickel isotopes. Assuming all nickel 62 and nickel 64 atoms had been fused (which is unlikely) with a proton (hydrogen nucleus), the amount of copper would not amount to even 10% of the resulting mass. Even an alternative reaction chain with unstable isotopes is impossible based on the measured isotope ratios and the absence of radiation. It would be possible to assume nickel 58 as a starting isotope which would become copper 59 and decay to nickel 59 which in turn would become copper 60 and decay to nickel 60 which would fuse to copper 61, decay to nickel 61 and fuse to copper 62 and decay to nickel 62. In the end stable copper 63 would be formed. But this would necessitate a completely different copper isotope ratio then found in the analysis.
==Experiments in April 2011==
==Experiments in April 2011==
[[image:19042011_2.jpg|Temperature graph and alleged working conditions of the test on April 19|350px|thumb]]
[[image:19042011_2.jpg|Temperature graph and alleged working conditions of the test on April 19|350px|thumb]]
[[image:28042011_1.jpg|Both heating resistors are switched on|left|thumb]]
[[image:28042011_1.jpg|Two heating resistors switched on (9/3)|left|thumb]]
[[image:28042011_4.jpg|Temperature graph and alleged working conditions of the test on April 28|350px|thumb]]
[[image:28042011_4.jpg|Temperature graph and alleged working conditions of the test on April 28|350px|thumb]]
[[image:28042011_2.jpg|Possible manipulation of the heating regulation by Rossi during the experiment|left|thumb]]
[[image:28042011_2.jpg|Possible concealed adjustment of heating by Rossi during the experiment|left|thumb]]
On April 19 and April 28 the E-cat was presented to the Swedish reporter Mats Lewan (Nyteknik journal). To measure the produced energy water was heated and with an input of just 300 Watts allegedly several litres of water evaporated. Rossi estimated the heating output at more than 2 kW. A regular publication of the results did not happen. Details were published by a thrilled Lewan just on some websites in the Internet ([http://www.nyteknik.se/incoming/article3166567.ece/BINARY/Report+test+of+E-cat+19+April+2011.pdf] [http://www.nyteknik.se/incoming/article3166569.ece/BINARY/Report+test+of+E-cat+28+April+2011.pdf]). A short video of the experiment on April 28, 2011 is available.<ref>http://www.nyteknik.se/nyheter/energi_miljo/energi/article3166451.ece</ref> The dosimetric pump LMI P18 was used again. Water throughput was given as 63-69 ml/min this time, a value which is possible according to the specifications by the manufacturer. The stroke frequency was 32/min. With a stroke-volume of 2 ml (maximum) the throughput is 64 ml/min, a value which corresponds to the values given by other measurements during the experiment. The weight of the pumped water was measured several times as it flowed in a specified time through the device. Since the electrical heating power of 315 Watt was just measured once at startup with a pliers ammeter it is unclear if the heating input was constant. When the journalist Lewan walked into an adjoining room and waved with his video camera, Rossi was seen fiddling with the heating regulation. It is therefore unclear if the input was constant during the experiment.
On April 19 and April 28, the E-Cat was presented to Swedish journalist Mats Lewan (Nyteknik journal). To measure the energy produced, water was heated and, at an input of just 300 Watts, allegedly several litres of water evaporated. Rossi estimated the heating output at more than 2 kW. A regular publication of the results did not happen. Lewan, thrilled by the invention, published details only on a few websites ([http://www.nyteknik.se/incoming/article3166567.ece/BINARY/Report+test+of+E-cat+19+April+2011.pdf] [http://www.nyteknik.se/incoming/article3166569.ece/BINARY/Report+test+of+E-cat+28+April+2011.pdf]). A short video of the experiment on April 28, 2011 is available.<ref>http://www.nyteknik.se/nyheter/energi_miljo/energi/article3166451.ece</ref> The dosimetric pump LMI P18 was used once more. Water throughput was specified with 63-69 ml/min this time, a value which is possible according to manufacturers' specifications. Stroke frequency was 32/min. With a stroke-volume of 2 ml (maximum), the throughput is 64 ml/min, a value which corresponds exactly to the values established by other measurements during the experiment. The weight of the pumped water was measured several times as it flowed through the device within a determinated period of time. Since the supplied electrical heating power of 315 Watt was just measured once in the beginning with a clip-on ammeter, it remains unclear whether the heating input was constant. When journalist Lewan went into an adjoining room and did a pan shot with his video camera, Rossi was seen tampering with the heating regulation. It is therefore unclear whether the input remained constant during the experiment.
A further experiment, allegedly planned for April 21, 2011<ref>http://energycatalyzer.blogspot.com/2011/04/rossi-brings-e-cat-to-stockholm-royal.html</ref>, where the E-Cat was supposed to be given to the Swedish scientists Sven Kullander and Hanno Essén from Uppsala university for testing, was denied by Rossi in retrospect.<ref>http://energycatalyzer.blogspot.com/2011/04/andrea-rossi-no-e-cat-test-at-uppsala.html</ref>
A further experiment allegedly planned for April 21, 2011<ref>http://energycatalyzer.blogspot.com/2011/04/rossi-brings-e-cat-to-stockholm-royal.html</ref>, allowing Swedish scientists Sven Kullander and Hanno Essén of Uppsala University to test the E-Cat, was later denied by Rossi.<ref>http://energycatalyzer.blogspot.com/2011/04/andrea-rossi-no-e-cat-test-at-uppsala.html</ref>
==Attempts to replicate the experiments==
==Attempts to replicate the experiments==
*In 1996, a group led by Antonino Zichichi tried in vain to repeat the pre-Rossi Piantelli-experiment(equal in principle, except for the secret catalyst) at CERN, Geneva for one year. Authors mention observed increases in temperature which, however, did not correspond to an increase in energy release:
*In 1996, a group led by Antonino Zichichi in vain attempted to repeat the pre-Rossi Piantelli-experiment (identical in principle, except for the secret catalyst) at CERN in Geneva for one year. Authors mention established increases in temperature which, however, did not correspond to an increase in energy release:
:''The authors state, "We have found the [Piantelli-Focardi group’s] results to be consistent with our observations; namely we measured higher temperatures for the same input power when hydrogen is absorbed during a heating cycle. Nevertheless this temperature rise does not appear to correspond to an increase in heat production. We have added a temperature sensor to the container of the experiment. The temperature of the container follows the same temperature with input power curve irrespective of whether there is an anomalous absorption of hydrogen or not; therefore we have no evidence that this temperature increase corresponds to another source of heat. In conclusion, we have observed all the effects discovered by Focardi et al., but our results imply that there is no production of power associated with the absorption of hydrogen by nickel."''<ref>Cerron-Zeballos, E., Crotty, I., Hatzifotiadou, D., Lamas Valverde, J., Williams, M.C.S., and Zichichi, A., "''[http://www.newenergytimes.com/Library/1996Cerron-InvestigationOfAnomalous.pdf Investigation of Anomalous Heat Production in Ni-H Systems]''". Nuovo Cimento, Vol. 109A, p. 1645-1654, (1996).</ref>
:''The authors state, "We have found the [Piantelli-Focardi group’s] results to be consistent with our observations; namely we measured higher temperatures for the same input power when hydrogen is absorbed during a heating cycle. Nevertheless this temperature rise does not appear to correspond to an increase in heat production. We have added a temperature sensor to the container of the experiment. The temperature of the container follows the same temperature with input power curve irrespective of whether there is an anomalous absorption of hydrogen or not; therefore we have no evidence that this temperature increase corresponds to another source of heat. In conclusion, we have observed all the effects discovered by Focardi et al., but our results imply that there is no production of power associated with the absorption of hydrogen by nickel."''<ref>Cerron-Zeballos, E., Crotty, I., Hatzifotiadou, D., Lamas Valverde, J., Williams, M.C.S., and Zichichi, A., "''[http://www.newenergytimes.com/Library/1996Cerron-InvestigationOfAnomalous.pdf Investigation of Anomalous Heat Production in Ni-H Systems]''". Nuovo Cimento, Vol. 109A, p. 1645-1654, (1996).</ref>
*In 1998/1999, a further attempt to replicate the tests of the principle was carried out by scientists Luigi Nosenzo and Luigi Cattaneo in Pavia (Italy). Again, no fusion reaction or release of energy could be established over the course of several months.<ref>Adalberto Piazzoli. "[http://www.cicap.org/new/articolo.php?id=273588 ''Fusione Fredda? Una ricerca italiana'']". CICAP - Scienza & Paranormale N. 78 (Mai 2008)</ref>
*In 1998/1999, a further attempt to replicate the tests of the principle was carried out by scientists Luigi Nosenzo and Luigi Cattaneo in Pavia (Italy). Again, no fusion reaction or release of energy could be established over the course of several months.<ref>Adalberto Piazzoli. "[http://www.cicap.org/new/articolo.php?id=273588 ''Fusione Fredda? Una ricerca italiana'']". CICAP - Scienza & Paranormale N. 78 (Mai 2008)</ref>
*In May 2011 the US physicist Brian Ahern reported tests with a finely milled zirconium-nickel-copper-alloy where hydrogen gas was added after heating it to 500 degrees. A small additional rise in heat atop of the supplied electrical heating power was seen, which was estimated at about 5-10 watts. A publication of the experiment is not known. The claims of Ahern were just spread in various blogs. Ahern has been known as a supporter of "cold fusion" for a long time and tries to use it with a company he founded, Vibronic Energy technologies Corp. <ref>http://www.neny.org/download.cfm/Vibronic_Energy_Technologies_Corp.pdf?AssetID=1169</ref><ref>http://www.scribd.com/doc/39076066/Vibronic-Energy-Technologies</ref><ref>From: Brian Ahern, Boxborough MA
*In May 2011, US physicist Brian Ahern reported tests with a finely ground zirconium-nickel-copper alloy to which he added hydrogen gas after heating it to 500 degrees. A small rise in heat in addition to the supplied electrical heating power was observed and estimated at about 5-10 watts. A publication of the experiment is not known. Ahern's claims were only published in various blogs. Ahern has been known for a long-standing supporter of "cold fusion" which he attempts to use with a company he founded, Vibronic Energy Technologies Corp. <ref>http://www.neny.org/download.cfm/Vibronic_Energy_Technologies_Corp.pdf?AssetID=1169</ref><ref>http://www.scribd.com/doc/39076066/Vibronic-Energy-Technologies</ref><ref>From: Brian Ahern, Boxborough MA
Re:
Re:
==Inventor Andrea Rossi==
==Inventor Andrea Rossi==
[[image:petroldragon4.jpg|Andrea Rossi at the Petroldragon-trial (Source: newspaper L'Unita")|thumb]]
[[image:petroldragon4.jpg|Andrea Rossi at Petroldragon lawsuit (Source: newspaper L'Unita")|thumb]]
[[image:Kensington_university.jpg|Reimbursement offer of [[diploma mill]] "Kensington University Inc." to its customers|left|thumb]]
[[image:Kensington_university.jpg|Reimbursement offer of [[diploma mill]] "Kensington University Inc." to its customers|left|thumb]]
[[image:Rossi_CV.jpg|Rossi CV on his website (March 4, 2011)|thumb]]
[[image:Rossi_CV.jpg|Rossi CV on his website (March 4, 2011)|thumb]]
[[image:petroldragon3.jpg|A Petroldragon compound (Source: newspaper L'Unita")|left|thumb]]
[[image:petroldragon3.jpg|View of a Petroldragon compound (Source: newspaper L'Unita")|left|thumb]]
[[image:petroldragon2.jpg|Andrea Rossi before a reactor of Petroldragon (Source: newspaper L'Unita")|thumb]]
[[image:petroldragon2.jpg|Andrea Rossi in front of Petroldragon reactor (Source: newspaper L'Unita")|thumb]]
[[image:petrol_dragon_airuno.jpg|Compound of the company Petrol Dragon in Airuno with tanks for used oil (Image: merate online [http://www.merateonline.it/articolo.php?idd=6256&origine=1])|left|thumb]]
[[image:petrol_dragon_airuno.jpg|Petrol Dragon premises at Airuno with tanks for used oil (Image: merate online [http://www.merateonline.it/articolo.php?idd=6256&origine=1])|left|thumb]]
Italian inventor Andrea Rossi was born on June 3, 1950 in Milano. In a curriculum vitae presenting his occupational history on his website<ref>http://ingandrearossi.com/gli-inizi/</ref> (see picture on the right dated March 4, 2011), Rossi specifies he graduated in philosophy at the University of Milan and mentions a second "Laurea" title (common term for a final degree at an Italian university with an obligatory doctorate) in "Ingegneria Chimica" (chemical engineering) at a Californian "Kensington University Inc.". This company was officially registered in Hawaii, but operated from Glendale in California<ref>Kensington University, 520 E Broadway Suite 400, Glendale, CA 91205 </ref> and was a wellknown [[diploma mill]] until it was shut down on court orders.<ref>Article in "LA-Times": ''Kensington University Faces Closure Hearing''. April 23, 1996 | JOHN CHANDLER, TIMES STAFF WRITER.<br>Kensington University has no classrooms, laboratories or dorms. Its students don't play football, join fraternities or linger dreamily on a quadrangle. In fact, the entire campus is housed in a small Glendale office building. Recruiting from across the nation, the school runs a program in which students studying entirely at home can earn anything from a bachelor's degree to a doctorate--all without ever attending a single class or even meeting their instructors face to face.</ref><ref>http://www.osac.state.or.us/oda/unaccredited.aspx</ref><ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_unaccredited_institutions_of_higher_education</ref>. The company was sentenced to restitute all former customers (see picture to the left) after it had been reported to the law by a consumer protection organisation.<ref>http://hawaii.gov/dcca/ocp/udgi/lawsuits/kensington/kensington_u_dj.pdf</ref>
In March 2011 Andrea Rossi was confronted by a journalist with accusations of holding an engineering title from a diploma mill. Rossi replied that the title was a ''honorary title'' which was granted to him for an earlier patent regarding bio fuel. He claims that he doesn't know anything about the company "Kensington University Inc.". He also said that he has a regular title ''Dottore Magistrale in Filosofia'' of Università degli Studi di Milano from 10. Dezember 1975<ref>Contribution of user Matslewan on March 23, 2011 in English Wikipedia: ''As a journalist I have interviewed Rossi and he says that the title from Kensington University is an honorary title he gained because of an earlier patent regarding bio fuel. He claims he knows no more about this university.''</ref>
In March 2011, Andrea Rossi was confronted by a journalist who accused him of holding an engineering title from a diploma mill. Rossi replied this was an ''honorary title'' awarded to him for an earlier patent regarding bio fuel. He claimed he did not know anything about the company "Kensington University Inc.". He explained he had a regular title, ''Dottore Magistrale in Filosofia'', of Università degli Studi di Milano from December 10, 1975<ref>Contribution of user Matslewan on March 23, 2011 in English Wikipedia: ''As a journalist I have interviewed Rossi and he says that the title from Kensington University is an honorary title he gained because of an earlier patent regarding bio fuel. He claims he knows no more about this university.''</ref>
The "Rossi Energy Amplifier" is not the first invention made by Andrea Rossi. During the 1970ies and 1980ies, he tried to produce hydrocarbons from waste to no avail. This resulted in several law suits and criminal cases with prison sentences against the "Sheik of Brianza" (''Sceicco della Brianza'', sheik because he claimed to produce oil from industrial waste. Brianza is a region north of Milan). The law suits were also known as "Petroldragon affair", since Rossi's company was named "Petroldragon". Italian Wikipedia has an article about the affair: [http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroldragon Petroldragon]. Rossi was convicted because he did not dispose of large amounts(58,000 tons) of toxic wastes in accordance with regulations, and for trafficking waste materials. According to an article in the Italian newspaper "Corriere della Sera" for April 6, 1995 Rossi and a Michele Pizzato were arrested twice.<ref>FASANO GIUSI, "Corriere della Sera" vom 6. April 1995:<br><br>
The "Rossi Energy Amplifier" is not the first invention made by Andrea Rossi. During the 1970ies and 1980ies, he tried to produce hydrocarbons from waste to no avail. This resulted in several law suits and criminal cases with prison sentences against the "Sheik of Brianza" (''Sceicco della Brianza'', sheik because he claimed to produce oil from industrial waste. Brianza is a region north of Milan). The law suits were also known as "Petroldragon affair", since Rossi's company was named "Petroldragon". Italian Wikipedia has an article on the affair: [http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroldragon Petroldragon]. Rossi was convicted because he did not dispose of large amounts (58,000 tons) of toxic waste in accordance with regulations, and for trafficking waste materials. According to an article in Italian newspaper "Corriere della Sera" of April 6, 1995, Rossi and one Michele Pizzato were arrested twice.<ref>FASANO GIUSI, "Corriere della Sera" vom 6. April 1995:<br><br>
Manette bis per Andrea Rossi<br>La Procura di Ariano Irpino accusa l’ inventore del ” refluo petrolio ” di riciclaggio di denaro sporco. Ricercato il corriere della banda che avrebbe trasferito con furgoni blindati oltre 2 tonnellate d’ oro<br>
Manette bis per Andrea Rossi<br>La Procura di Ariano Irpino accusa l’ inventore del ” refluo petrolio ” di riciclaggio di denaro sporco. Ricercato il corriere della banda che avrebbe trasferito con furgoni blindati oltre 2 tonnellate d’ oro<br>
MONZA. Se finora ha creduto di essere nei guai si e’ sbagliato. Andrea Rossi, inventore del chiacchierato procedimento per trasformare in petrolio la spazzatura e i rifiuti industriali, e’ molto piu’ che in semplici guai. Di tutte le “tegole” che gli sono piovute addosso finora, la piu’ pesante e’ arrivata ieri dalla Procura di Ariano Irpino, in provincia di Avellino. Il giudice delle indagini preliminari Vincenzo Caputo ha emesso, su richiesta del sostituto Rosario Baglioni, un’ ordinanza di custodia cautelare contro di lui per associazione a delinquere finalizzata al riciclaggio di capitali di illecita provenienza e alla frode fiscale. La presunta organizzazione a delinquere sarebbe formata, oltre che dall’ ideatore del “refluo petrolio” e da una persona per ora irreperibile, anche da Michele Pizzato, italiano con residenza in Svizzera, uomo di fiducia di Andrea Rossi e, negli ultimi tempi, suo compagno di “sventura”. Una sventura cominciata un paio di settimane fa con le conclusioni di una inchiesta condotta dal sostituto procuratore monzese Salvatore Bellomo. Alla fine delle sue indagini, il pm monzese aveva chiesto e ottenuto l’ arresto sia di Rossi che di Pizzato per associazione a delinquere finalizzata alla falsa fatturazione e alla frode fiscale. L’ accusa riguardava la documentazione fittizia che i due avrebbero compilato per attestare la compravendita e l’ esportazione di decine di chili d’ oro, merce di cui Rossi si occupa da quasi due anni come titolare dell’ oreficeria “St. Andre’ ” di Milano (societa’ che lavora l’ oro a Luogosano, in provincia di Avellino). I due erano percio’ finiti in carcere, sperando che il castello di accuse crollasse dopo gli interrogatori. Errore. Perche’ i fatti contestati dal pm monzese hanno trovato conferma nell’ inchiesta del collega di Ariano Irpino, che da oltre un anno stava seguendo praticamente lo stesso filone d’ indagine e che adesso, nelle sue ipotesi d’ accusa, si spinge fino all’ associazione finalizzata al riciclaggio di denaro sporco. In un comunicato stampa diffuso ieri dal comando di gruppo della Guardia di Finanza di Avellino si parla in dettaglio della nuova ordinanza di custodia notificata in carcere a Rossi e Pizzato. Risulterebbe, com’ era gia’ noto dall’ inchiesta monzese, che 46 miliardi di lingotti d’ oro (ben 2.323 chili) avrebbero passato il confine italiano solo sulla carta e, inoltre, che l’ associazione a cui farebbe capo Rossi avrebbe evaso tributi per 120 miliardi con false esportazioni di congegni ad alta tecnologia. Il terzo uomo ricercato e’ il trasportatore dei lingotti, un personaggio abituato a muoversi su furgoni blindati. Sul trasferimento di fondi verso paradisi fiscali come il Liechtenstein, i finanzieri sostengono che “l’ articolazione dell’ organizzazione” era tale da far intuire che l’ obiettivo fosse anche anche il riciclaggio di denaro sporco.<br>
MONZA. Se finora ha creduto di essere nei guai si e’ sbagliato. Andrea Rossi, inventore del chiacchierato procedimento per trasformare in petrolio la spazzatura e i rifiuti industriali, e’ molto piu’ che in semplici guai. Di tutte le “tegole” che gli sono piovute addosso finora, la piu’ pesante e’ arrivata ieri dalla Procura di Ariano Irpino, in provincia di Avellino. Il giudice delle indagini preliminari Vincenzo Caputo ha emesso, su richiesta del sostituto Rosario Baglioni, un’ ordinanza di custodia cautelare contro di lui per associazione a delinquere finalizzata al riciclaggio di capitali di illecita provenienza e alla frode fiscale. La presunta organizzazione a delinquere sarebbe formata, oltre che dall’ ideatore del “refluo petrolio” e da una persona per ora irreperibile, anche da Michele Pizzato, italiano con residenza in Svizzera, uomo di fiducia di Andrea Rossi e, negli ultimi tempi, suo compagno di “sventura”. Una sventura cominciata un paio di settimane fa con le conclusioni di una inchiesta condotta dal sostituto procuratore monzese Salvatore Bellomo. Alla fine delle sue indagini, il pm monzese aveva chiesto e ottenuto l’ arresto sia di Rossi che di Pizzato per associazione a delinquere finalizzata alla falsa fatturazione e alla frode fiscale. L’ accusa riguardava la documentazione fittizia che i due avrebbero compilato per attestare la compravendita e l’ esportazione di decine di chili d’ oro, merce di cui Rossi si occupa da quasi due anni come titolare dell’ oreficeria “St. Andre’ ” di Milano (societa’ che lavora l’ oro a Luogosano, in provincia di Avellino). I due erano percio’ finiti in carcere, sperando che il castello di accuse crollasse dopo gli interrogatori. Errore. Perche’ i fatti contestati dal pm monzese hanno trovato conferma nell’ inchiesta del collega di Ariano Irpino, che da oltre un anno stava seguendo praticamente lo stesso filone d’ indagine e che adesso, nelle sue ipotesi d’ accusa, si spinge fino all’ associazione finalizzata al riciclaggio di denaro sporco. In un comunicato stampa diffuso ieri dal comando di gruppo della Guardia di Finanza di Avellino si parla in dettaglio della nuova ordinanza di custodia notificata in carcere a Rossi e Pizzato. Risulterebbe, com’ era gia’ noto dall’ inchiesta monzese, che 46 miliardi di lingotti d’ oro (ben 2.323 chili) avrebbero passato il confine italiano solo sulla carta e, inoltre, che l’ associazione a cui farebbe capo Rossi avrebbe evaso tributi per 120 miliardi con false esportazioni di congegni ad alta tecnologia. Il terzo uomo ricercato e’ il trasportatore dei lingotti, un personaggio abituato a muoversi su furgoni blindati. Sul trasferimento di fondi verso paradisi fiscali come il Liechtenstein, i finanzieri sostengono che “l’ articolazione dell’ organizzazione” era tale da far intuire che l’ obiettivo fosse anche anche il riciclaggio di denaro sporco.<br>
==EON Srl and Leonardo Corporation==
==EON Srl and Leonardo Corporation==
[[image:Leonardo_Miami2.jpg|Apartment-house at the address of "Leonardo Corp." (1331, Lincoln rd Miami Beach, App. 505). Image: Google street view|left|300px|thumb]]
[[image:Leonardo_Miami2.jpg|Apartment house at the address of "Leonardo Corp." (1331, Lincoln rd Miami Beach, App. 505). Image: Google street view|left|300px|thumb]]
[[image:Leonardo_Miami.jpg|Registration of the company "Leonardo Corp." in Miami Beach|thumb]]
[[image:Leonardo_Miami.jpg|Registration of "Leonardo Corp." in Miami Beach|thumb]]
[[image:Leonardo_Miami4.jpg|Registration page 2|thumb]]
[[image:Leonardo_Miami4.jpg|Registration page 2|thumb]]
The company EON Srl (owned by Rossi), which is often mentioned in connection with the subject, is registered both in Bondeno<ref>Eon S.r.l., V. C.ragazzi 18, I-44012 Bondeno</ref> and in Rome<ref>EON Srl, Via Ottaviano 66, Roma</ref> . The Bodeno location is said to have been heated by an "E-cat" device virtually for free for a long time. Rossi also claims he is producing hot water in his home with an E-cat too. For both claims no independent evidence exists.
The company EON Srl (apparently owned by Rossi), which is often mentioned in connection with the subject, is registered both in Bondeno<ref>Eon S.r.l., V. C.ragazzi 18, I-44012 Bondeno</ref> and in Rome<ref>EON Srl, Via Ottaviano 66, Roma</ref> . The Bodeno location is said to have been heated by an "E-cat" device virtually for free for a long time. Rossi further claims he is also producing hot water in his home with an E-cat. There is no independent evidence for both claims.
In the course of 2011, inventors and undisclosed non-Italian investors(allegedly Greeks) plan to offer ready-made reactors for industrial application under the marketing name "Hyperion" (not to confuse with a concept for small fission reactors of the same name in the USA). There is an official permission dating from 2006 which enables Italian EON Srl to operate a small power plant, fuelled by bio diesel, producing electric power up to 1 megawatt in the town of Bondero. Inventors also claim to currently work on a small power plant which combines 120 interconnected energy-amplifier reactors of equal electric power of 1,000 kWs (1 MW) either in Greece or in USA, which is supposed to be finished by October 2011 and will cost 2 million dollars. As manufacturer the Greek company „Defkalion Green Technologies S.A.“ is mentioned.
In the course of 2011, inventors and undisclosed non-Italian investors (allegedly Greek) plan to offer ready-made reactors for industrial application under the marketing name "Hyperion" (not to confuse with a concept for small fission reactors of the same name in the USA). There is an official permission dating from 2006 which enables Italian EON Srl to operate a small power plant, fuelled by bio diesel, producing electric power up to 1 megawatt in the town of Bondero. Inventors also claim to currently work on a small power plant which combines 120 interconnected energy-amplifier reactors of equal electric power of 1,000 kWs either in Greece or in USA, which is supposed to be finished by October 2011 and will cost 2 million dollar. Greek company „Defkalion Green Technologies S.A.“ is mentioned as manufacterers.
There is a ''Leonardo Corporation''<ref>Leonardo Corporation, 116 South River Road, Bedford, N.H. 03110 - USA. Website: http://leonardocorp1996.com</ref> located in Bedford, New Hampshire, USA owned by Rossi which is listed as contact address of EON. Their e-mail address is identical with EON Srl's in Italy. The phone number is a collective number which applies to several companies that are located at the same address. It's a so called "business park". This company and Greek Defkalion are supposed to build the future "reactors". It offers currently electric generators fuelled by bio diesel (with turbo chargers and intercooling). The company claims a high degree of efficiency due to its patented "EON" technology which was able to recover incurred thermal losses.
There is a ''Leonardo Corporation''<ref>Leonardo Corporation, 116 South River Road, Bedford, N.H. 03110 - USA. Website: http://leonardocorp1996.com</ref> located in Bedford, New Hampshire, USA owned by Rossi which is listed as contact address for EON. Their e-mail address is identical with that of EON Srl in Italy. The phone number is a collective number applying to several companies located at the same address which is a so called "business park". This company and Greek Defkalion are supposed to build the future "reactors". It currently offers electric generators fuelled by bio diesel (with turbo chargers and intercooling). The company claims a high degree of efficiency due to its patented "EON" technology which was able to recover incurred thermal losses.
Leonardo Corp. is registered in Miami (Florida), too, in an appartment in a block situated in a residential area. The telephone number (603) 4875192, however, belongs to an extension in New Hampshire.
It seems hard to imagine that at one of these addresses of the Leonardo Corp. the Rossi Energy Catalyzer could be produced, let alone a 1 MW power plant could be build.
It is somewhat hard to imagine that production of a Rossi Energy Catalyzer was possible at any of these addresses, let alone building a 1 MW power plant.
In June 2011 the U.S. attorney David Niebauer from San Francisco stated in his blog, that he had met with Rossi. Rossi explained that he is still looking for a partner for the realization of a 1 MW small power plant in the United States. He claimed to have offered a demonstration to NASA, but only if they agree to purchase an operating plant once his device obtains the expected efficiency.<ref>Rossi Energy Catalyzer, "The New Fire"?<br>Posted on June 10, 2011 by David Niebauer<br>by David Niebauer<br><br>I have just finished listening to an astounding podcast of an interview with Dennis Bushnell, Chief Scientist at NASA’s Langley Research Center, talking about low energy nuclear reactions (LENR) and devices that are apparently generating significant energy in the form of heat, with very little input of raw material and no radioactive waste.<br>Bushnell makes reference to Andrea Rossi, an Italian inventor who claims to have discovered a previously unknown source of energy by combining pressurized nickel powder with hydrogen and a catalyst. Rossi has filed for international patent protection, but he is guarding the precise mechanism as a trade secret until the patent issues.<br>I first heard of Andrea Rossi in January of this year on the site Next Big Future where it was reported that Rossi had demonstrated his Energy Catalyzer (or E-Cat, for short) in Bologna, monitored by independent scientific representatives of Bologna University. Ny Teknik, a Swedish technology magazine, reported that, “For about an hour it produced approximately 10 kilowatts of net power, loaded with one gram of nickel powder pressurized with hydrogen. See Wikipedia entry for background.<br>Since that time Rossi has repeatedly demonstrated the device and it has received validation from the Swedish Skeptics Society, among others. Demonstration devices have now also been delivered to the University of Bologna, the University of Uppsala and the University of Stockholm for extended testing.<br>According to Bushnell, what is occurring in the Rossi device is a nuclear reaction, but it’s not a cold fusion. He claims it is a reaction of the Weak Nuclear Force. Bushnell believes that heat is generated from beta decay of subatomic particles and that, applying quantum theory, physicists will soon be able to explain the mechanism. The physics is not well understood, which is fueling a certain amount of skepticism.<br>I recently met with Andrea Rossi and find him to be genuine and credible. Rossi told me that he would like to have a 1MW plant operating in the US by October of this year. He is looking for the right partners to help him enter the market in the United States.<br>According to Rossi, Bushnell is on the wrong track, at least from a theoretical perspective. “If beta decay explained the reactions in my device, I would have been killed already [by the radiation] and we would have found different isotopes,” Rossi told me. He claims that he has a good handle on the theory, but he won’t disclose it until his patent is granted.<br>Bushnell states that NASA is just now finishing a testing lab designed for the specific purpose of investigating LENR. With Rossi making news since early this year that he has built an operating LENR, I hear Bushnell making a pitch to have it tested and validated by NASA.<br>According to Rossi, he will do a demonstration for NASA only if they agree to purchase an operating plant once his device obtains the expected efficiency. Rossi is intent on moving his Energy Catalyzer from the testing lab into the field.<br>I don’t pretend to understand the physics, or to be in a position to know for certain whether the Rossi Energy Catalyzer is the breakthrough we have been waiting for. I will therefore let Dennis Bushnell have the final word for now: “I think we are almost over the “we do not understand it” problem. I think we are almost over the “this does not produce anything useful” problem. I think this will go forward fairly rapidly now. If it does, this is capable of, by itself, completely changing geo-economics, geo-politics, and solving climate issues.”<br>David Niebauer is a corporate and transaction attorney, located in San Francisco, whose practice is focused on financing transactions, M&A and cleantech. www.davidniebauer.com</ref>
In June 2011, U.S. attorney David Niebauer from San Francisco added an entry to his blog, reporting he had met with Rossi. Rossi explained he was still looking for a partner to realize a 1 MW small power plant in the United States. He claimed to have offered a demonstration to NASA, but only if they agree to purchase an operating plant once his device obtained the expected efficiency.<ref>Rossi Energy Catalyzer, "The New Fire"?<br>Posted on June 10, 2011 by David Niebauer<br>by David Niebauer<br><br>I have just finished listening to an astounding podcast of an interview with Dennis Bushnell, Chief Scientist at NASA’s Langley Research Center, talking about low energy nuclear reactions (LENR) and devices that are apparently generating significant energy in the form of heat, with very little input of raw material and no radioactive waste.<br>Bushnell makes reference to Andrea Rossi, an Italian inventor who claims to have discovered a previously unknown source of energy by combining pressurized nickel powder with hydrogen and a catalyst. Rossi has filed for international patent protection, but he is guarding the precise mechanism as a trade secret until the patent issues.<br>I first heard of Andrea Rossi in January of this year on the site Next Big Future where it was reported that Rossi had demonstrated his Energy Catalyzer (or E-Cat, for short) in Bologna, monitored by independent scientific representatives of Bologna University. Ny Teknik, a Swedish technology magazine, reported that, “For about an hour it produced approximately 10 kilowatts of net power, loaded with one gram of nickel powder pressurized with hydrogen. See Wikipedia entry for background.<br>Since that time Rossi has repeatedly demonstrated the device and it has received validation from the Swedish Skeptics Society, among others. Demonstration devices have now also been delivered to the University of Bologna, the University of Uppsala and the University of Stockholm for extended testing.<br>According to Bushnell, what is occurring in the Rossi device is a nuclear reaction, but it’s not a cold fusion. He claims it is a reaction of the Weak Nuclear Force. Bushnell believes that heat is generated from beta decay of subatomic particles and that, applying quantum theory, physicists will soon be able to explain the mechanism. The physics is not well understood, which is fueling a certain amount of skepticism.<br>I recently met with Andrea Rossi and find him to be genuine and credible. Rossi told me that he would like to have a 1MW plant operating in the US by October of this year. He is looking for the right partners to help him enter the market in the United States.<br>According to Rossi, Bushnell is on the wrong track, at least from a theoretical perspective. “If beta decay explained the reactions in my device, I would have been killed already [by the radiation] and we would have found different isotopes,” Rossi told me. He claims that he has a good handle on the theory, but he won’t disclose it until his patent is granted.<br>Bushnell states that NASA is just now finishing a testing lab designed for the specific purpose of investigating LENR. With Rossi making news since early this year that he has built an operating LENR, I hear Bushnell making a pitch to have it tested and validated by NASA.<br>According to Rossi, he will do a demonstration for NASA only if they agree to purchase an operating plant once his device obtains the expected efficiency. Rossi is intent on moving his Energy Catalyzer from the testing lab into the field.<br>I don’t pretend to understand the physics, or to be in a position to know for certain whether the Rossi Energy Catalyzer is the breakthrough we have been waiting for. I will therefore let Dennis Bushnell have the final word for now: “I think we are almost over the “we do not understand it” problem. I think we are almost over the “this does not produce anything useful” problem. I think this will go forward fairly rapidly now. If it does, this is capable of, by itself, completely changing geo-economics, geo-politics, and solving climate issues.”<br>David Niebauer is a corporate and transaction attorney, located in San Francisco, whose practice is focused on financing transactions, M&A and cleantech. www.davidniebauer.com</ref>
==EFA srl==
==EFA srl==
Italian company EFA srl, based in Bologna<ref>EFA srl, Via Marsili 4, I-40100 Bologna</ref>, is a company of limited liability and run by Rossi's wife Maddalena Pascucci who holds 70% of its shares. A minority stake is held by a business consultant by the name of Giuliano Guandalini who had previous business connections to Rossi. EFA also owns distribution rights for Europe and is a contractual partner both for Bologna University (as of June 2011, the contract was not signed) and Defkalion.
The same premises housing EFA – Via Marsili 4, Bologna – are also residence of a company Systems GM 2000th (Giuliano Guandalini) owning the rooms in which Rossi happens to conduct his experiments.
==Leonardo Technologies Inc.==
==Leonardo Technologies Inc.==
[[image:LTI.jpg|Thermoelectric wonder device of LTI|thumb]]
[[image:LTI.jpg|Thermoelectric miracle device of LTI|thumb]]
Leonardo Technologies Inc. (LTI) is another company registered in USA co-founded by Rossi<ref>LEONARDO TECHNOLOGIES, INC., 116 S River RD, BEDFORD, NH 031106734</ref>. But he sold it at the end of the 1990s. LTI in Manchester(NH/USA) tried to develop thermoelectric modules with wondrous degrees of efficiency. Such elements work due to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoelectric_effect thermoelectric effect] (see also [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoelectric_cooling Thermoelectric cooling] enabling them to convert temperature differences to electrical voltage. Voltage is very low but through serial circuits higher voltage can be achieved. Efficiency is known to be very low. It lies between 2 and 4 percent and useful applications are limited to special needs ("Plutonium cells", satellite supply without sun collectors). Such converters would be only of commercial interest if efficiencies beyond 15% were achieved. LIT claimed to have realized thermoelectric modules (TE-devices) with 20% efficiency. It was also claimed that they could build big converters with a capacity of several kilowatts. A collaboration with the university of New Hampshire was agreed upon. A device with 1 A and 100 volt (100 watt) was shown. Rossi continued his research later in Italy. The American Department of Defence showed interest, had the company CTC (in Johnstown, PA) test several devices of LIT and released a test protocol<ref>http://dodfuelcell.cecer.army.mil/library_items/Thermo(2004).pdf</ref>. The modules did not prove to be very reliable. Out of 27 devices just eight worked at all. Instead of the claimed 800 to 1000 watt they had just produced 1 Watt of power Further problems were thermal expansion and contact issues. Other modules sent later did not produce more power than a normal commercially available device.
Leonardo Technologies Inc. (LTI) is another company registered in USA co-founded by Rossi<ref>LEONARDO TECHNOLOGIES, INC., 116 S River RD, BEDFORD, NH 031106734</ref>. However, he sold it at the end of the 1990s. LTI in Manchester (NH/USA) tried to develop thermoelectric modules with miraculous degrees of efficiency. Such elements work due to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoelectric_effect thermoelectric effects] (see also [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoelectric_cooling thermoelectric cooling], enabling them to convert temperature differences to electrical voltage. Voltage is very low but through serial circuits higher voltage can be achieved. Efficiency is known to be very low. It ranges between 2 and 4 percent and useful applications are limited to special needs ("plutonium cells", satellite supply without sun collectors). Such converters would be of commercial interest only if efficiencies beyond 15% were achieved. LIT claimed it was able to realize thermoelectric modules (TE-devices) with a 20% efficiency. They further claimed they were able to build big converters with a capacity of several kilowatts. A collaboration with the university of New Hampshire was agreed upon. A device with 1 A and 100 volt (100 watt) was presented. Rossi later continued his research in Italy. The American Department of Defense showed some interest, had the company CTC (in Johnstown, PA) test several devices of LIT and released a test protocol<ref>http://dodfuelcell.cecer.army.mil/library_items/Thermo(2004).pdf</ref. The modules did not prove to be very reliable. Out of 27 devices, only eight worked at all. Instead of 800 to 1,000 watt claimed, they only produced 1 Watt of power. Further problems were thermal expansion and contact issues. Other modules sent later did not produce more power than regular devices commercially available.
==AmpEnergo==
==AmpEnergo==
[[image:Coldstream_Park_Office_Park.jpg|Coldstream Park Office Park (Image: NAI Norwood Group, Bedford NH [http://www.nainorwoodgroup.com/propdocs/116%20South%20River%20Road%20Building%20A.pdf])|300px|thumb]]
[[image:Coldstream_Park_Office_Park.jpg|Coldstream Park Office Park (Image: NAI Norwood Group, Bedford NH [http://www.nainorwoodgroup.com/propdocs/116%20South%20River%20Road%20Building%20A.pdf])|300px|thumb]]
US startup company AmpEnergo Inc., founded on April 20, 2009 in Bedford, New Hampshire<ref>AmpenErgo Inc, 116-G South River Road, Bedford NH 03110</ref><ref>President: Karl Norwood, founders and main shareholders: Karl Norwood (NAI Norwood Group, Inc.), Richard Noceti (LTI-global.com), Robert Gentile and Craig Cassarino. Minority shareholder: Ronald Engleman</ref> (Website: [http://ampenergo.com/]), signed a contract with inventor Andrea Rossi in March 2011. While "Leonardo Corp." is to build the energy catalyzers, marketing is planned to be done through AmpEnergo. According to Swedish journal Nyteknik, Rossi received a fincancial grant from this company.<ref>http://www.nyteknik.se/nyheter/energi_miljo/energi/article3179019.ece</ref> According to information from the press, AmpEnergo is currently looking for inventors.
The address of AmpEnergo is a "Coldstream Park Office Park" of the real estate firm NAI Norwood<ref>http://www.nainorwoodgroup.com/propdocs/116%20South%20River%20Road%20Building%20A.pdf</ref>. The building is heated according to the owners by an electrically operated heat pump. The address is identical to with that of real estate firm NAI Norwood Group and of Norwood Management Karl Norwood Inc. of real estate agent Karl Norwood.<ref>NORWOOD MANAGEMENT KARL NORWOOD INC, 116 S RIVER RD UNIT A, Bedford, New Hampshire 03110</ref><ref>NAI Norwood Group, Inc., 116 South River Road, Bedford NH 03110</ref> and also of the companies Leonardo Corp. and Leonardo Technologies Inc.<ref>LEONARDO TECHNOLOGIES, INC., 116 S River RD, BEDFORD, NH 031106734</ref> of Andrea Rossi. The phone numbers of all those companies are identical too ( (603) 668 7000). For the company Ampenergo Inc. no phone number is known despite its founding in 2009. The company is not registered in any of the United States phone books for companies or private persons. (as of May 2011)
The address of AmpEnergo is "Coldstream Park Office Park" owned by real estate company NAI Norwood<ref>http://www.nainorwoodgroup.com/propdocs/116%20South%20River%20Road%20Building%20A.pdf</ref>. According to owners, the building is heated with an electrically operated heat pump. The address is identical with that of real estate company NAI Norwood Group and of Norwood Management Karl Norwood Inc., owned by real estate agent Karl Norwood<ref>NORWOOD MANAGEMENT KARL NORWOOD INC, 116 S RIVER RD UNIT A, Bedford, New Hampshire 03110</ref><ref>NAI Norwood Group, Inc., 116 South River Road, Bedford NH 03110</ref>, and also of Leonardo Corp. and Leonardo Technologies Inc.<ref>LEONARDO TECHNOLOGIES, INC., 116 S River RD, BEDFORD, NH 031106734</ref> owned by Andrea Rossi. The phone numbers of all those companies are identical, too ( (603) 668 7000). Despite having been founded in 2009 already, no phone number is known for AmpEnergo Inc. The company is not registered in any phone book or yellow pages in the USA. (as of May 2011)
==Defkalion Green Technologies==
==Defkalion Green Technologies==
[[image:defkalion_logo.jpg|left|thumb]]
[[image:defkalion_logo.jpg|left|thumb]]
[[image:defkalion4.jpg|Defkalion Management|thumb]]
[[image:defkalion4.jpg|Defkalion Management|thumb]]
[[image:defkalion2.jpg|Alexandros Xanthoulis (geb. 1954), vice president. Xanthoulis also represents the Cypriot PRAXEN L.T.D.|left|thumb]]
[[image:defkalion2.jpg|Alexandros Xanthoulis (born 1954), vice president. Xanthoulis also represents the Cypriot PRAXEN L.T.D.|left|thumb]]
[[image:defkalion3.jpg|David Christian Aurel (born 1969), Managing Director. Aurel ist also CEO of Invest Bank Montenegro|thumb]]
[[image:defkalion3.jpg|David Christian Aurel (born 1969), Managing Director. Aurel also is a CEO of Invest Bank Montenegro|thumb]]
There is a small startup company in Athens named "Defkalion Energy" resp. "Defkalion Green Technologies S.A."<ref>http://www.defkalion-energy.com/</ref><ref>http://newenergytimes.com/v2/sr/RossiECat/docs/DefkalionBoardRegistration.pdf</ref> (named after [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deucalion Deucalion], son of Prometheus in Greek mythology), owned by various investors who, according to Rossi, will produce some of the energy catalyzers.. The owners of Defkalion are unknown, but are mostly from Greece and Middle Eastern countries according to Defkalion. Defkalion's major shareholder is a PRAXEN Ltd. based in Limassol (Cyprus).
President of Defkalion is a George Sortikos, one of the vice presidents is Christos Stremmenos (born 1932, former professor at Bologna University and former ambassador of Greece in Italy).<ref>The following people are known from the management of Green Technologies:<br>
President of Defkalion is George Sortikos, one of the vice presidents is Christos Stremmenos (born 1932, former professor at Bologna University and former Greek ambassador in Italy).<ref>The following persons from the management of Green Technologies are known:<br>
*Sortikos George (born 1942) president. (Architect and previous president of "Ω Βank" and owner of the company Oxymachon)
*Sortikos George (born 1942) president. (Architect, previous president of "Ω Βank", and owner of Oxymachon company)
*Alexandros Xanthoulis (born 1954), vice president. Xanthoulis also represents the Cypriot PRAXEN L.T.D.
*Alexandros Xanthoulis (born 1954), vice president. Xanthoulis also represents Cypriot PRAXEN L.T.D.
*Christos Stremmenos (born 1932), vice president (former professor at Bologna University and former ambassador of Greece in Italy)
*Christos Stremmenos (born 1932), vice president (former professor at Bologna University and former Greek ambassador in Italy)
*George Xanthoulis (born 1987), Son of Alexandros Xanthoulis
*George Xanthoulis (born 1987), son of Alexandros Xanthoulis
*David Christian Aurel (born 1969), Managing Director. Aurel ist also CEO of Invest Bank Montenegro.
*David Christian Aurel (born 1969), Managing Director. Aurel also is a CEO of Invest Bank Montenegro.
*John Chadjichristos (born 1958), corporate consultant
*John Chadjichristos (born 1958), corporate consultant
*Andreas Meidanis (born 1953), industrialist
*Andreas Meidanis (born 1953), industrialist
*Muafak Sauachni (born 1961), Israeli physician
*Muafak Sauachni (born 1961), medical doctor from Israel
*Andreas Drugas (born 1945), corporate consultant
*Andreas Drugas (born 1945), corporate consultant
*Symeon Tsalikoglou, spokesman</ref>
*Symeon Tsalikoglou, press spokesman</ref>
Cyprus-based PRAXEN Ltd., connected to Defkalion vice-president Alexandros Xanthoulis, is in a position to keep its shareholders anonymous according to Cypriot law. Andrea Rossi's wife Maddalena Pascucci seems to focus on controlling the commercial aspects of the business in energy catalyzers. She is a director of Italian EFA srl which has business connections to PRAXEN Ltd.
While the website of EON Srl has been "under construction" for months now, the page of Defkalion meanwhile offers a contact address in Athens.<ref>Defkalion Green Technologies S.A., Temporary Head Quarters - Mesogeion Avenue 2-4, Athens Tower, 18th Floor, GR-11527 Athens, Tel: +30 210 7770602, Fax: +30 210 7770608. Email: info@defkalion-energy.com</ref> Domain registrant is an Andreas Meintanis from GR-19200 Elefsina.
While the website of EON Srl has been "under construction" for months now, the page of Defkalion meanwhile offers a contact address in Athens.<ref>Defkalion Green Technologies S.A., Temporary Head Quarters - Mesogeion Avenue 2-4, Athens Tower, 18th Floor, GR-11527 Athens, Tel: +30 210 7770602, Fax: +30 210 7770608. Email: info@defkalion-energy.com</ref> Domain registrant is one Andreas Meintanis from GR-19200 Elefsina.
While the Rossi-company "Leonardo Corp." should handle business in USA, the Greek company Defkalion is said to hold the license for selling in Greek and the Balkans and is maybe even supposed to handle the aspiring european business. According to greek newspaper "Investors World" an old factory was bought in the town of Xanthi where a 1 MW-small power station with energy catalyzers of Rossi is supposed to be build which will manufacture the future energy catalyzers. The same source claims that Defkalion has to be regarded as an investment of "200 million Euro". Half of the investment money (about 100 millions) is said to go to inventor Rossi later.<ref name="talefta" /><ref name ="scan" /><ref name="Investors World Article" /> According to Rossi he will start with the production of his E-cat devices, even if the filed patent won't be granted. He also wants to continue production even if competitors understand his invention through reverse-engeneering.<ref>From a Chat at Nyeteknik on March 12, 2011</ref> According to informations from the press Defkalion wants to begin in 2012 with production of E-cats and stated a annual production of 300,000. But in the first year just 40,000 units would be produced. In Xanthi 125 to 200 new jobs will be created.
While Rossi's "Leonardo Corp." will handle business in USA, Greek company Defkalion is said to hold the license for sales in Greece and the Balkans and will probably also be in charge of the intended European business. According to Greek journal "Investor's World", premises of a former factory in the town of Xanthi have been bought, on which a 1 MW-small power station equipped with Rossi's energy catalyzers is supposed to be built; these premises will manufacture energy catalyzers in future. The same source claims that Defkalion must be regarded a "200 million Euro investment". Half of the investment money (about 100 millions) is said to go to inventor Rossi later.<ref name="talefta" /><ref name ="scan" /><ref name="Investors World Article" /> According to Rossi, he will start with the production of his E-cat devices, even if the filed patent won't be granted. He also wants to continue production even if competitors understand his invention through reverse-engeneering.<ref>From a chat conversation at Nyeteknik on March 12, 2011</ref> According to press information, Defkalion intends to begin producing E-cats in 2012, at an annual production of 300,000 devices. During the first year, however, only 40,000 units were to be produced. Between 125 and 200 new jobs were to be created in Xanthi.
The businessmodel of Defkalion allows long-time leasing of "E-cat" devices to private clients. A 10 kW or 20 kW facility(information is sketchy) is said to cost 1,300 Euros per year, including operational costs and "fuel replacement", handled by the manufacturer through replacing the device.
The business model of Defkalion allows long-time leasing of "E-Cat" devices to private clients. A 10 kW or 20 kW facility (information is ambiguous) is said to cost 1,300 Euro per year, including operational costs and "fuel replacement", handled by manufacturers through replacing the device.
==Funding and Cooperation with Bologna University==
==Funding and Cooperation with Bologna University==
Rossi declares to have spent 500,000 Euro on experiments with more than 1,000 E-cat reactors, financed e.g. with earnings from his previous company Petroldragon which supplied him with revenues of as much as one million Euro. Rossi had declared on April 18, 2011 in an interview in Italian television that he had not received any pre-delivery payments or payments at all from a customer. Rossi only meant to earn revenue or license fees when sales commenced. Alas, it became known in May 2011 that he had already concluded a contract with the company AmpEnergo and payments were made.
Rossi declares to have spent 500,000 Euro on experiments with more than 1,000 E-cat reactors, financed e.g. with earnings from his previous company Petroldragon which supplied him with revenues of as much as one million Euro. In an interview in Italian television on April 18, 2011, Rossi declared he had not received any pre-delivery payments or payments at all from customers. Rossi only meant to earn revenue or license fees when sales commenced. In contrast to that, it became known in May 2011 Rossi had already concluded a contract with the company AmpEnergo and payments had been made.
Rossi allegedly agreed to a cooperation with Bologna University, but it was not signed as as of June 2011. It is said that the Faculty of Physics of Bologna University has received 500,000 Euro from Rossi in order to support development. According to other sources it was even 1 million Euro. The research unit is said to consist of the following persons:
Rossi allegedly agreed a cooperation with Bologna University which, however, has not been signed as of yet (June 2011). Rumours claim that its Faculty of Physics received Euro 500,000 from Rossi in order to support development. According to other sources the faculty received as much as 1 million Euro. The research unit is said to consist of the following persons: Ennio Bonetti, Enrico Campari, Loris Ferrari, Giuseppe Levi, and Mauro Villa. Physicist Giuseppe Levi is said to be heading these activities.<ref>''[...] Rossi is now paying the remaining 500,000 Euros to the Physics Department of Bologna University, following a new agreement under which the university will help Rossi with the continued development of the reactor and studies of its physical phenomena.<br>According to the agreement, the work is led by the physicist Giuseppe Levi who was the main observer when the "energy catalyzer" was demonstrated to invited scientists and media in Bologna in January 2011. Giuseppe Levi also carried out a longer test of the reactor in February, lasting 18 hours.''</ref> Rossi means to donate part of the revenue for children suffering from cancer:
Ennio Bonetti, Enrico Campari, Loris Ferrari, Giuseppe Levi and Mauro Villa. Physicist Giuseppe Levi is said to be heading these activities.<ref>''[...] Rossi is now paying the remaining 500,000 Euros to the Physics Department of Bologna University, following a new agreement under which the university will help Rossi with the continued development of the reactor and studies of its physical phenomena.<br>According to the agreement, the work is led by the physicist Giuseppe Levi, who was the main observer when the "energy catalyzer" was demonstrated to invited scientists and media in Bologna in January 2011. Giuseppe Levi also carried out a longer test of the reactor in February, lasting 18 hours.''</ref>
Rossi means to donate part of the revenue for children suffering from cancer:
:''The 500,000 Euros I am paying to the University of Bologna is my last money, but when I deliver the one-megawatt plant to Defkalion I get cash back. From then on, 50% will be used for expansion and 50% to treat children with cancer. I will personally look for the children whose families cannot afford their care [...]''<ref>http://www.nyteknik.se/nyheter/energi_miljo/energi/article3122915.ece</ref>
:''The 500,000 Euros I am paying to the University of Bologna is my last money, but when I deliver the one-megawatt plant to Defkalion I get cash back. From then on, 50% will be used for expansion and 50% to treat children with cancer. I will personally look for the children whose families cannot afford their care [...]''<ref>http://www.nyteknik.se/nyheter/energi_miljo/energi/article3122915.ece</ref>
[[image:JONP.jpg|left|thumb]]
[[image:JONP.jpg|left|thumb]]
[[image:JONP2.jpg|thumb]]
[[image:JONP2.jpg|thumb]]
Rossi spreads claims about his inventions through his own Internet blog called "Journal of Nuclear Physics", which is claimed to be "peer-reviewed". That it is no professional journal is obvious due to the title extension "Nuclear experiments blog". "Journal of Nuclear Physics" was the name of a russian professional journal, which was discontinued. An [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journal_of_Nuclear_Physics Article article in Wikipedia] lists all journals of that name.
Rossi spreads claims about his inventions through his own Internet blog called "Journal of Nuclear Physics", which is claimed to be "peer-reviewed". From its subtitle „Nuclear experiments blog“, however, it is obvious this is no professional journal.
"Journal of Nuclear Physics" used to be the title of a Russian professional journal, which was discontinued. An [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journal_of_Nuclear_Physics Article article in Wikipedia] lists all journals of this name.
The [http://www.journal-of-nuclear-physics.com/ website of the blog] lists a "Board of Advisers" of 8 persons. Currently (April 2011) 8 names are listed: Prof. Sergio Focardi (INFN – University of Bologna – Italy), Prof. Michael Melich (DOD – USA), Prof. Alberto Carnera (INFM – University of Padova – Italy), Prof. Pierluca Rossi (University of Bologna – Italy), Prof. Luciana Malferrari (University of Bologna – Italy), Prof. George Kelly (University of New Hampshire – USA), Prof. Stremmenos Christos (Bologna University – Italy) und Richard Noceti, Ph.D. (LTI-global.com).<ref>http://www.journal-of-nuclear-physics.com/?page_id=2</ref> It is peculiar that several of the persons are from the circle of the inventors. It is unclear for some persons, what qualifies them for questions of physics. George Kelly is apparently not working for the University of New Hampshire, it is unclear if he exists at all. An American psychologist with the same name has already died. Michael Melich, who allegedly works for the "DOD" (U.S. Defense Department) got attention for strange statements. He claims to work as kind of an undercover agent for a secret service and reports to it about activities of the cold fusion scene. Guiseppe Levi, who was listed originally as an advisor was crossed of the list end of January 2011 (see screenshots).
The [http://www.journal-of-nuclear-physics.com/ website of the blog] lists a "Board of Advisers" which currently (April 2011) lists 8 names: Prof. Sergio Focardi (INFN – University of Bologna – Italy), Prof. Michael Melich (DOD – USA), Prof. Alberto Carnera (INFM – University of Padova – Italy), Prof. Pierluca Rossi (University of Bologna – Italy), Prof. Luciana Malferrari (University of Bologna – Italy), Prof. George Kelly (University of New Hampshire – USA), Prof. Stremmenos Christos (Bologna University – Italy) und Richard Noceti, Ph.D. (LTI-global.com).<ref>http://www.journal-of-nuclear-physics.com/?page_id=2</ref> It is peculiar that several of the persons come from the circle of inventors. With some of these persons, it is not evident what may qualify them for questions of physics. George Kelly is apparently not working for the University of New Hampshire; it is unclear whether he exists in the first place. An American psychologist of the same name has already died. Michael Melich, who allegedly works for the "DOD" (U.S. Defense Department), received some attention due to weird statements. He claims to be working as kind of an undercover agent for a US secret service to whom he claims to report activities of the cold fusion scene. Guiseppe Levi, who was listed originally as an advisor, was deleted from the list at the end of January 2011 (see screenshots).
The blog can also be used to add comments. But various people in the Internet reported, that only comments or questions which do not criticize or doubt the "E-cat" are publicised.
The blog also allows adding comments. But various person reported in the internet that only comments or questions not criticizing or doubting the "E-cat" will be published.
==Patents and patent applications==
==Patents and patent applications==
[[image:Rossi_Focardi_Patent.jpg|thumb|Drawing from patent application WO 2009/125444 von Rossi]]
[[image:Rossi_Focardi_Patent.jpg|thumb|Drawing from patent application WO 2009/125444 von Rossi]]
Rossi has applied for a patent(WO 2009/125444 A1 EP 02259998 A1) for the method.<ref>WO 2009/125444 A1: METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CARRYING OUT NICKEL AND HYDROGEN EXOTHERMAL REACTIONS. Applicant: Pascucci, Maddalena. Inventor: Rossi, Andrea. Date: 15.10.2009</ref><ref>EP 02259998 A1: VERFAHREN UND VORRICHTUNG ZUR DURCHFÜHRUNG VON EXOTHERMEN REAKTIONEN ZWISCHEN NICKEL UND WASSERSTOFF. Applicant: Pascucci, Maddalena. Inventor: Rossi, Andrea. EP-Date: 15.12.2010</ref> The European Patent Office as one of the International Searching Authorities of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) assessed the patent specification negatively. It criticized that the invention was not presented comprehensively and in particular that it was not evident that the described reaction of nickel and hydrogen did in fact generate energy. To quote the report:
Rossi has applied for a patent(WO 2009/125444 A1 EP 02259998 A1) for the method.<ref>WO 2009/125444 A1: METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CARRYING OUT NICKEL AND HYDROGEN EXOTHERMAL REACTIONS. Applicant: Pascucci, Maddalena. Inventor: Rossi, Andrea. Date: 15.10.2009</ref><ref>EP 02259998 A1: VERFAHREN UND VORRICHTUNG ZUR DURCHFÜHRUNG VON EXOTHERMEN REAKTIONEN ZWISCHEN NICKEL UND WASSERSTOFF. Applicant: Pascucci, Maddalena. Inventor: Rossi, Andrea. EP-Date: 15.12.2010</ref> The European Patent Office, as one of the International Searching Authorities of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), negatively assessed the patent specification. It criticized the invention was not presented comprehensively, and particularly that it was not evident the described reaction of nickel and hydrogen did in fact generate energy. To quote the report:
:''As the invention seems, at least at first, to offend against the generally accepted laws of physics and established theories, the disclosure should be detailed enough to prove to a skilled person conversant with mainstream science and technology that the invention is indeed feasible. [...] In the present case, the invention does not provide experimental evidence (nor any firm theoretical basis) which would enable the skilled person to assess the viability of the invention. The description is essentially based on general statement and speculations which are not apt to provide a clear and exhaustive technical teaching.''<ref>http://www.wipo.int/pctdb/en/wads.jsp?IA=IT2008000532&LANGUAGE=EN&ID=id00000011868762&VOL=100&DOC=075642&WO=09/125444&WEEK=NA&TYPE=NA&DOC_TYPE=WOSA&TOK=Q309-A-eI6srxLYw7s9qWfbp73Y&PAGE=1</ref>
:''As the invention seems, at least at first, to offend against the generally accepted laws of physics and established theories, the disclosure should be detailed enough to prove to a skilled person conversant with mainstream science and technology that the invention is indeed feasible. [...] In the present case, the invention does not provide experimental evidence (nor any firm theoretical basis) which would enable the skilled person to assess the viability of the invention. The description is essentially based on general statement and speculations which are not apt to provide a clear and exhaustive technical teaching.''<ref>http://www.wipo.int/pctdb/en/wads.jsp?IA=IT2008000532&LANGUAGE=EN&ID=id00000011868762&VOL=100&DOC=075642&WO=09/125444&WEEK=NA&TYPE=NA&DOC_TYPE=WOSA&TOK=Q309-A-eI6srxLYw7s9qWfbp73Y&PAGE=1</ref>
The Italian patent of the same content was granted in April 2011 with the number IT MI20080629 (''processo ed apparecchiatura per ottenere reazioni esotermiche, in particolare da nickel ed idrogeno.'').<ref>IT MI20080629 (A1), METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CARRYING OUT NICKEL AND HYDROGEN EXOTHERMAL REACTIONS. Publication date: 2009-10-10. Inventor(s): ROSSI ANDREA, Applicant(s): PASCUCCI MADDALENA.
Also published as: WO 2009125444 (A1), US 2011005506 (A1), EP 2259998 (A1)</ref><ref>http://www.uibm.gov.it/uibm/dati/stampa_elenco_info.aspx?load=info_stampMain&id=1610895&table=Invention</ref> The text of the patent is not publicly visible, and will be published for confidentiality reasons only at a later date.
Also published as: WO 2009125444 (A1), US 2011005506 (A1), EP 2259998 (A1)</ref> The wording of the patent is not publically accessible and, due to reasons of secrecy, will be published at a later date.
Patent applications are required to allow experts to recreate the described invention. Furthermore the "best method" to achieve the presented effect has to be described in the application. But Rossi kept the nature of his "catalyzers" secret.
Patent applications are required to allow experts to rebuild the described invention. Furthermore the "best method" to achieve the presented effect has to be described in the application. Rossi, however, keeps the nature of his "catalyzers" secret.
The WIPO website lists an answer of Rossi's patent attorney Cicogna from December 17, 2010 in which he addresses the mentioned points.<ref>http://www.psiram.com/doc/application_rossi.004908.pdf</ref> In response to the Munich European Patent Office, he gave up 6 of 15 previous claims. The correspondence responds also to a patent from 2005 (Yoshiaki Arata: (Juli 2005) ''Hydrogen condensate and method of generating heat therewith.'', EP1551032 [http://www.freepatentsonline.com/EP1551032.pdf]) of the Japanese emeritus professor Yoshiaki Arata, who studies "cold fusion" since 1989. Arata describes in his patent methods to generate an "Arata Energy" through an hydrogen isotope that permeates finely grounded metals (''metal nano-ultrafine particle '', Arata mentions several metals, among them nickel) or alloys under energy consumption. This process creates a "condensate" with decreased interatomic distance between the hydrogen isotopes, which explains the emission of heat. A byproduct of the reaction is helium. According to Arata there are several ways to apply the energy: pressure, ultrasound, high electricity, laserlight, magnetism, ... Arate showed his reactor with Stirling engine to the public in May 2008<ref>http://www.heise.de/tp/r4/artikel/28/28011/1.html</ref> but explained that the principle cannot be used economically since the helium generation "poisons" the fusion process and the fusion chamber had to be vented periodically.
The WIPO website lists an answer of Rossi's patent attorney Cicogna dated December 17, 2010 in which he addressed the issues mentioned.<ref>http://www.psiram.com/doc/application_rossi.004908.pdf</ref> In his answer to the Munich European patent agency, he drops 6 of formerly 15 claims. The correspondence also addresses a patent from 2005 (Yoshiaki Arata: (Juli 2005) ''Hydrogen condensate and method of generating heat therewith.'', EP1551032 [http://www.freepatentsonline.com/EP1551032.pdf]) held by Japanese professor emeritus Yoshiaki Arata who has been studying "cold fusion" since 1989. In his patent, Arata described methods to generate an "Arata Energy" with hydrogen isotopes which permeate finely ground metals (''metal nano-ultrafine particle ''; Arata mentions several metals, among them nickel) or alloys under energy consumption. This process is said to create a "condensate" with a decreased interatomic distance between hydrogen isotopes, explaining the emission of heat. A byproduct of the reaction was helium. According to Arata, there are several ways to apply energy: pressure, ultrasound, high electricity, laser light, magnetism, etc. Arata introduced his reactor, equipped with a Stirling engine, to the public in May 2008<ref>http://www.heise.de/tp/r4/artikel/28/28011/1.html</ref>, but explained that the principle could not be applied since helium generation "poisoned" the fusion process, so the fusion chamber had to be vented periodically, rendering any utilization uneconomical.
Patents of Francesco Piantelli:
Patents held by Francesco Piantelli:
* WO 95 20816 A1, Francesco Piantelli: ''Energy generation and Generator by means of anharmonic stimulated fusion''
* WO 95 20816 A1, Francesco Piantelli: ''Energy generation and Generator by means of anharmonic stimulated fusion''
* EP 0767962 B1 (1995), Piantelli, F., ''Energy Generation and Generator by Means of Anharmonic Stimulated Fusion. Patent''
* EP 0767962 B1 (1995), Piantelli, F., ''Energy Generation and Generator by Means of Anharmonic Stimulated Fusion. Patent''
* WO 2010058288 A1: PIANTELLI SILVIA; PIANTELLI FRANCESCO, ''METHOD FOR PRODUCING ENERGY AND APPARATUS THEREFOR. 2010-05-27.''
* WO 2010058288 A1: PIANTELLI SILVIA; PIANTELLI FRANCESCO, ''METHOD FOR PRODUCING ENERGY AND APPARATUS THEREFOR. 2010-05-27.''
* DE69510056T2 Energieerzeugung Und Erzeuger Durch Oberwellenfreie Stimulierte Fusion, 03/02/2000
* DE69510056T2 Energieerzeugung Und Erzeuger Durch Oberwellenfreie Stimulierte Fusion, 03/02/2000
Further patents of Andrea Rossi:
Further patents held by Andrea Rossi:
*US 2002/0046762 A1 "Thermoelectric generators", Inventor: Andrea Rossi. Filing date: Oct 4,2001<ref>http://www.google.com/patents?id=h9SMAAAAEBAJ&printsec=abstract&zoom=4&source=gbs_overview_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
*US 2002/0046762 A1 "Thermoelectric generators", Inventor: Andrea Rossi. Filing date: Oct 4,2001<ref>http://www.google.com/patents?id=h9SMAAAAEBAJ&printsec=abstract&zoom=4&source=gbs_overview_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
==Reception, media coverage and criticism==
==Reception, media coverage and criticism==
[[image:Mats_Lewan.jpg|Swedish journalist Mats Lewan (Nyteknik)|thumb]]
[[image:Mats_Lewan.jpg|Swedish journalist Mats Lewan (Nyteknik)|thumb]]
A noteworthy reception by respective associations or universities never happened, an attempt by inventors to publish their principle in a professional magazine failed.. As of January 2011, no proper scientific publication is known. Only a few physicists reacted with blog entries or comments to the topic.
Italian daily press covered the invention in a mere four articles (some of these in local sections). Additionally, a small private radio station made an interview. A Greek business journal and a private TV station covered it. „Nyeteknik“ reported in Sweden, some positive coverage was published in US "Washington Times", which belongs to the [[Moon-Cult]], in an article by Frank Perley.<ref>Frank Perley: ''PERLEY: [http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/mar/17/nuclear-future-beyond-japan/ Nuclear future beyond Japan - Purported cold fusion advance aimed at energy woes]'', "The Washington Times", March 3, 2011.</ref>
The energy catalyzer was also covered in several blogs. The most lively interest could be observed in Italy and Sweden.
The energy catalyzer was also covered in several blogs. The most lively interest could be observed in Italy and Sweden.
The most renowned person that commented the energy catalyzer so far is the English Nobel prize winner Brian Josephson. Josephson is known for years as a supporter of so called "cold fusion" and is editor of the corresponding article in English Wikipedia.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_Catalyzer</ref>
The most renowned person to comment favourably on the energy catalyzer so far has been English Nobel Prize winner Brian Josephson. Josephson has been known for a supporter of so called "cold fusion" for years and is the editor of the corresponding article in English Wikipedia.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_Catalyzer</ref>
The most committed critic is probably Italian habilitated nuclear chemist Camillo Franchini. Another critic is the habilitated Swedish nuclear physicist Peter Ekström of Lund University. Ekström calls Rossi's invention a "hoax" and [[pseudoscience]]. He also compares it to claims made for the last twenty years by a Randell Mills (BlackLightPower - see [[Hydrino]]). Ekström refers in his critique to the conditions for fusion and nuclear transformations and the emitted radiation. A summary of his critique can be found here: [http://www.fysik.org/WebSite/fragelada/resurser/cold_fusion.pdf Peter Ekström: ''Kall Fusion på italienska'' (Avdelningen för Kärnfysik, Lunds universitet. 12.4.2011, Swedish/English)]. The Swedish professor for physics Kjell Aleklett from Uppsala University also criticized in his blog: [http://aleklett.wordpress.com/2011/04/11/rossi-energy-catalyst-a-big-hoax-or-new-physics/ Kjell Aleklett "Rossi energy catalyst – a big hoax or new physics?"]
The most committed critic is probably Italian habilitated nuclear chemist Camillo Franchini. Another critic is the habilitated Swedish nuclear physicist Peter Ekström of Lund University. Ekström calls Rossi's invention a "hoax" and [[pseudoscience]]. He also compares it to claims made by Randell Mills for the last twenty years (BlackLightPower - see [[Hydrino]]). In his criticism, Ekström refers to the conditions necessary for fusion and nuclear transformations as well as the radiation emitted. A summary of his criticism can be found here: [http://www.fysik.org/WebSite/fragelada/resurser/cold_fusion.pdf Peter Ekström: ''Kall Fusion på italienska'' (Avdelningen för Kärnfysik, Lunds universitet. 12.4.2011, Swedish/English)]. Swedish professor for physics Kjell Aleklett from Uppsala University also criticized in his blog: [http://aleklett.wordpress.com/2011/04/11/rossi-energy-catalyst-a-big-hoax-or-new-physics/ Kjell Aleklett "Rossi energy catalyst – a big hoax or new physics?"]
{{OtherLang|ge=Focardi-Rossi-Energiekatalysator|en=Focardi-Rossi Energy-Catalyzer|it=Catalizzatore di energia secondo Rossi e Focardi}}
{{OtherLang|ge=Focardi-Rossi-Energiekatalysator|en=Focardi-Rossi Energy-Catalyzer|it=Catalizzatore di energia secondo Rossi e Focardi}}
==Literature==
==Literature==
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzL3RIlcwbY at Rainews on 5.5.2011 (English)]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzL3RIlcwbY at Rainews on 5.5.2011 (English)]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5uChrjknJA Report in Greek television] (Greek/English)
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5uChrjknJA Report in Greek television] (Greek/English)
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-0WvK2b7dU] (Demonstration Bologna January 1, 2011)
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-0WvK2b7dU] (Demonstration Bologna January 1, 2011)
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-Ru1eAymvE] (Demonstration Bologna January 2, 2011)
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-Ru1eAymvE] (Demonstration Bologna January 2, 2011)
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmHZrhTQhUc] (Demonstration Bologna January 3, 2011)
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmHZrhTQhUc] (Demonstration Bologna January 3, 2011)