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November 07, 2005
New Energy Source?
Randell Mills, a Harvard University medic who also studied electrical engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, claims to have built a prototype power source that generates up to 1,000 times more heat than conventional fuel. Independent scientists claim to have verified the experiments and Dr Mills says that his company, Blacklight Power, has tens of millions of dollars in investment lined up to bring the idea to market. And he claims to be just months away from unveiling his creation.
There's just one small problem. Science says it's impossible.
The problem is that according to the rules of quantum mechanics, the physics that governs the behaviour of atoms, the idea is theoretically impossible. "Physicists are quite conservative. It's not easy to convince them to change a theory that is accepted for 50 to 60 years. I don't think [Mills's] theory should be supported," said Jan Naudts, a theoretical physicist at the University of Antwerp.
I heard a phrase once; "Those who say doing something is impossible should not interrupt the person who is doing it." Hopefully, this can happen, and isn't just a "cold fusion" kind of thing.
Posted by Doug at November 7, 2005 05:24 PM
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I'm afraid this has all the hallmarks of junk science.
Your analogy to cold fusion is ironic. Cold fusion was just barely within the realm of the possible, if a few physical principles were tweaked. By contrast, this piece of work would require rejecting the whole of modern physics, including the principles of quantum mechanics that make solid-state electronics possible.
Posted by: Kent at November 8, 2005 01:06 PM
Indeed, the article did note that cold fusion research is continuing, although it notes that "mainstream physicists still balk at reports that a beaker of cold water and metal electrodes can produce excess heat, but a hardy band of scientists across the world refuse to let the dream die" after 16 years.
I'm no quantum mechanic, to be absolutely sure, but it is interesting that there have been dozens of independent confirmations and dozens of peer-reviewed articles on this. I agree that if it turns loads of science on its head it is highly suspect, but I guess I'm wondering at what point--how many independent verifications, etc.--the 'junk' label is dropped.
Nonetheless, sounds interesting.
Posted by: Doug Payton at November 10, 2005 01:42 PM