New Cold Fusion Experiment

Viper Daimao · 24th May 2008, 06:03 AM

Saw this on slashdot this morning. Seems there's some Italian magazine with an article on a Japanese cold fusion experiment performed by Yoshiaki Arata. Google translations here.

Slashdot has been known to hype a non-story, and magazines have been known to not be that accurate with science. Anyone have any idea what's going on with this?

Reality Check · 24th May 2008, 06:51 AM

There are a couple of English articles in WikiNews and this in New Energy Time. There is also a good blog entry: Cold-fusion demonstration "a success"

However announcing scientific discoveries by press conference is not the usual procedure. The usual procedure is to write a paper so that the results can be reproduced. I suggest that everyone waits to comment until this is done.

Beerina · 27th May 2008, 10:42 AM

...and also to run to the patent office ASAP, as trillions are to be made with something like this.

In any case, "scientific discoveries by press conference" is one of the potential woo warning signs in the Baloney Detection Kit.

BenBurch · 27th May 2008, 11:16 AM

This seems to be based on the über-woo "Electric Universe" theory.

I predict an epic fail.

gnome · 27th May 2008, 03:30 PM

I predict an underwhelming fail: they will evade a test that will really demonstrate whether it works or not, quietly fade into obscurity, only to be remembered on occasion on the "Coast to Coast" AM show as an example of the government suppressing free energy.

Olowkow · 27th May 2008, 05:57 PM

Not sure I understand how this is news in 2008, since he has been doing this at least since 1998:

http://www.journalarchive.jst.go.jp/...om=jnlabstract

Why doesn't someone just build a heater and heat a building with it if it works?

arthwollipot · 27th May 2008, 11:57 PM

Originally Posted by Reality Check

However announcing scientific discoveries by press conference is not the usual procedure. The usual procedure is to write a paper so that the results can be reproduced. I suggest that everyone waits to comment until this is done.

Originally Posted by Beerina

In any case, "scientific discoveries by press conference" is one of the potential woo warning signs in the Baloney Detection Kit.

Odd, I'm getting a sense that there's been some kind of precedent for that in the past...

24th May 2008, 06:03 AM	#1
Viper Daimao Critical Thinker Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 498	New Cold Fusion Experiment Saw this on slashdot this morning. Seems there's some Italian magazine with an article on a Japanese cold fusion experiment performed by Yoshiaki Arata. Google translations here. Slashdot has been known to hype a non-story, and magazines have been known to not be that accurate with science. Anyone have any idea what's going on with this?

24th May 2008, 06:51 AM	#2
Reality Check Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 10,819	There are a couple of English articles in WikiNews and this in New Energy Time. There is also a good blog entry: Cold-fusion demonstration "a success" However announcing scientific discoveries by press conference is not the usual procedure. The usual procedure is to write a paper so that the results can be reproduced. I suggest that everyone waits to comment until this is done.
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27th May 2008, 10:42 AM	#3
Beerina Sarcastic Conqueror of Notions Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: A floating island above the clouds Posts: 23,835	...and also to run to the patent office ASAP, as trillions are to be made with something like this. In any case, "scientific discoveries by press conference" is one of the potential woo warning signs in the Baloney Detection Kit.
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27th May 2008, 11:16 AM	#4
BenBurch Gatekeeper of The Left Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Universe 35.2 ms ahead of this one. Posts: 32,222	This seems to be based on the über-woo "Electric Universe" theory. I predict an epic fail.
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27th May 2008, 03:30 PM	#5
gnome Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 9,873	I predict an underwhelming fail: they will evade a test that will really demonstrate whether it works or not, quietly fade into obscurity, only to be remembered on occasion on the "Coast to Coast" AM show as an example of the government suppressing free energy.
gnome Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 9,873	__________________

27th May 2008, 05:57 PM	#6
Olowkow Illuminator Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 4,830	Not sure I understand how this is news in 2008, since he has been doing this at least since 1998: http://www.journalarchive.jst.go.jp/...om=jnlabstract Why doesn't someone just build a heater and heat a building with it if it works?
Olowkow Illuminator Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 4,830	__________________ Our remedies oft in ourselves do lie, which we ascribe to heaven. --Shakespeare

27th May 2008, 11:57 PM	#7
arthwollipot Observer of Phenomena Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: The other side of your screen Posts: 43,038	Originally Posted by Reality Check However announcing scientific discoveries by press conference is not the usual procedure. The usual procedure is to write a paper so that the results can be reproduced. I suggest that everyone waits to comment until this is done. Originally Posted by Beerina In any case, "scientific discoveries by press conference" is one of the potential woo warning signs in the Baloney Detection Kit. Odd, I'm getting a sense that there's been some kind of precedent for that in the past...
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