Nobody has been able to get cold fusion to work. The technology could theoretically produce unlimited energy for next to nothing. Needless to say there have been decades of worldwide research about it. One Italian scientist claims to have gotten it right.

The only problem, he needs $1.5 million to see if he's telling the truth. Andrea Rossi hasn't published any papers on the device for peer review, but his Energy Catalyzer (E-Cat) supposedly produces low energy nuclear reactions while infusing hydrogen into nickel to create copper and a large amount of heat. Cold fusion reactors would be able to operate in this pressurized vessels at room temperature.

According to his specs, the E-Cat 1MW Plant consists of 106 20 cm x 20 cm x 1 cm reactors stacked together in a 20 foot shipping container. The system only produces steam and heat, but integrating a current-generating turbine would not be a problem.

If whatever he says is true, he would be able to deliver energy at a cost of $1/MW.



Again, we're not sure if this guy is just full of hot air. He intends to commercialize the technology at the start of next year and sell the plants to anyone with $1.5 million to burn. [ExtremeTech]