Rossi Focardi reactor Italian scientists claim to have demonstrated cold fusion

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the claims made by Italian scientists regarding the demonstration of cold fusion through the Rossi Focardi reactor. Participants are questioning the validity and credibility of these claims, focusing on the lack of peer-reviewed data and the implications of such technology.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express skepticism about the claims, noting that the published paper lacks detailed data on the reactor and detection methods.
  • One participant references a quote from Steven E. Jones, highlighting concerns about the absence of quantitative descriptions and independent replication of results.
  • Another participant speculates on the potential value of the technology if the claims were true, indicating a mix of hope and skepticism regarding its legitimacy.
  • There is a call for adherence to Physics Forums standards, suggesting that the discussion should wait until the claims are published in a reputable journal.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express skepticism about the claims, with no consensus on their validity. Multiple competing views regarding the credibility of the research and the motivations behind it remain evident.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of specific data in the original claims, the absence of peer review, and the need for independent verification of results.

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Did you read the article you linked to? No peer reviewed journal would accept their paper. The paper they published gave no data on the specifics of their reactor, detectors, or really anything.

I think the quote from Steven E. Jones in the article sums my thoughts up exactly:

Steven E. Jones said:
Where are the quantitative descriptions of these copper radioisotopes? What detectors were used? Have the results been replicated by independent researchers? Pardon my skepticism as I await real data.
 
I read it - I'm skeptical too. But suppose you had what they say they have. Would you just give it away? If true, it would be worth billions, maybe more. Part of me wants it to be true, but you're probably right and it's just quackery.
 
This doesn't meet PF standards. When this appears in a journal, then we can discuss it.
 

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