Italian scientists claim to have demonstrated cold fusion

[Chris_]

Italian scientists claim to have demonstrated cold fusion

Despite the intense skepticism, a small community of scientists is still investigating near-room-temperature fusion reactions. The latest news occurred last week, when Italian scientists Andrea Rossi and Sergio Focardi of the University of Bologna announced that they developed a cold fusion device capable of producing 12,400 W of heat power with an input of just 400 W. Last Friday, the scientists held a private invitation press conference in Bologna, attended by about 50 people, where they demonstrated what they claim is a nickel-hydrogen fusion reactor. Further, the scientists say that the reactor is well beyond the research phase; they plan to start shipping commercial devices within the next three months and start mass production by the end of 2011.

Rossi and Focardi say that, when the atomic nuclei of nickel and hydrogen are fused in their reactor, the reaction produces copper and a large amount of energy. The reactor uses less than 1 gram of hydrogen and starts with about 1,000 W of electricity, which is reduced to 400 W after a few minutes. Every minute, the reaction can convert 292 grams of 20°C water into dry steam at about 101°C. Since raising the temperature of water by 80°C and converting it to steam requires about 12,400 W of power, the experiment provides a power gain of 12,400/400 = 31. As for costs, the scientists estimate that electricity can be generated at a cost of less than 1 cent/kWh, which is significantly less than coal or natural gas plants.

PhsyOrg

This would be very interesting if legitimate.  Personally, I'm looking for my fifty pound grain of salt... I know it's around here somewhere.

[JohnnyReb]

PhsyOrg

This would be very interesting if legitimate.  Personally, I'm looking for my fifty pound grain of salt... I know it's around here somewhere.

I remember the last time someone made this claim......facepalm.

....and the copper thieves will not be happy if true.

[Attero Dominatus]

Fusion between nuclei will release more energy than they consume up to iron. Beyond that, fusion reactions will consume more energy than they release. Nickel is heavier than iron and what these people are claiming is that transmutation of nickel to copper is releasing more energy than it consumes, at temperatures and pressures far less than found in stars no less. Color me skeptical.