[torsoboy]

This would be soooooo amazing if it is proved true. It would change the world. Check it out.

Linky

First paragraph from the article:

August 20, 2006 Steorn, an Irish company, claims to have produced a groundbreaking (we do not use this word lightly) technology which is based on the interaction of magnetic fields and produces free, clean and constant energy. If the claims are true, the new technology will enable a significant range of benefits, from the convenience of never having to refuel your car or recharge your mobile phone, to a genuine solution to the need for zero emission energy production. It will also provide a secure supply of energy, since the components of the technology are readily available. Steorn’s technology appears to violate the ‘Principle of the Conservation of Energy’, (energy can neither be created nor destroyed, it can only change form) considered by many to be the most fundamental principle in our current understanding of the universe. Fully aware that its claims will be considered bunkum by anyone who has graduated kindergarten, Steorn today issued a challenge to the global scientific community to test its free energy technology. Steorn has placed an advertisement in The Economist to attract the attention of the world’s leading scientists working in the field of experimental physics. From all the scientists who accept the challenge, twelve will be invited to take part in a rigorous testing exercise to prove that Steorn’s technology creates free energy. The results will be published worldwide.

[Spliffdaddy]

If magnets can be permanent and forever - I designed a perpetual motion machine about 20 years ago.

Surely, if this is the same concept - I'll kick myself.

[SpaceMonkey]

The vast majority of these institutions refused to even look at the technology, however several did. Those who were prepared to complete testing are claimed (by Steorn) to have all confirmed the company's claims; however none will publicly go on record.

Okay.

[CharlesS]

Riiiiiiiight...

[mitchell_pgh]

Ha... just like most "get rich quick" schemes. They talk at length about the benefits... but now how it actually works.

[torsoboy]

I think it is awsome if it is for real. We'll see if the 12 most cynical scientists can debunk it for us....

I don't know how this relates to a get rich quick scheme though.

[CharlesS]

That's simple - if these guys can get gullible people to give them money for their research, then they get rich quick.

[Chuckit]

I like the part where they go, "Yeah, it violates the laws of physics — PROVE US WRONG!"

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by Chuckit

I like the part where they go, "Yeah, it violates the laws of physics — PROVE US WRONG!"

Perhaps it's Intelligently Designed.

[mitchell_pgh]

Originally Posted by torsoboy

I think it is awsome if it is for real. We'll see if the 12 most cynical scientists can debunk it for us....

I don't know how this relates to a get rich quick scheme though.

Because "get rich quick" schemes usually ONLY talk of the benefit, and not the actual product.

EXAMPLE: You could make $50,000 a month by working from home!!!

Also, the "prove us wrong" raises BIG red flags. I'm sure a number of universities would be VERY interested in testing such a machine. Like a NASA engineer once said when questioned weather or not they were hiding alien Mars information, his response was "Why would we? Wouldn't you want to be involved with one of the most fundamental discoveries in history?"

Question: Why didn't they call the media? Let me guess "because the government/big oil/secret organization got to them"

One last note, why don't they have a patent?

[loki74]

Originally Posted by mitchell_pgh

One last note, why don't they have a patent?

I'm fairly certain that one cannot file for a US patent for a perpetual motion machine or equivalent (that is, something that violates the energy conservation law) because this is widely accepted as impossible.

meh, I'm not holding my breath. If it works, great. But in all honesty, I doubt this will make it past the "blogosphere."

EDIT: Okay, it seems I was wrong:

A working model may be requested in the case of applications for patent for alleged perpetual motion devices.

link


Although the invention in question is not necessarily a perpetual motion device, I think that the same rule would apply--you need to prove that it works, and then you get a patent.

This does indeed cast even more doubt on the validity of this invetion. Could they not prove it worked to the USPTO? If it was in the process of being reviewed, or if they had a patent or patent pending, they would likely make a point of it to add weight to the validity, no? Hmm....

[mitchell_pgh]

Originally Posted by loki74

I'm fairly certain that one cannot file for a US patent for a perpetual motion machine or equivalent (that is, something that violates the energy conservation law) because this is widely accepted as impossible.

meh, I'm not holding my breath. If it works, great. But in all honesty, I doubt this will make it past the "blogosphere."

I agree, but technically you can file a patent for anything, it just won't get approved

I agree, just a blip on MacNN... until the next perpetual motion machine.

[SirCastor]

Lets keep in mind that the laws of physics are essentially the laws of physics as we understand them. They are not absolutes except in that as far as our eye can see so to speak. I imagine, in time, that we'll find much of what we believe today to be incorrect. In some cases wildly incorrect.

"Many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view."

Cool idea, but I would be really surprised if this actually holds any water.

[©öñFü$íóÑ]

Physics is physics........ but when money comes into the equation, everything is just plain SCREWED.

[Tomchu]

"Physics" is just what humans have labelled their observations and math relating to the physical world as. Just because it's "physics" doesn't make it infallible -- or not extensible.

[abe]

Don't pass judgment until you must or until you are certain.

If we all believe in Star Wars and Star Trek and UFO's as a conceptual possibility, the methods of propulsion in the aforementioned craft are nothing like what we are familiar with. A giant leap will probably take place in our understanding, a paradigm shift. It will happen SOMETIME. And without knowing the details some of us are jumping to conclude this is a hoax.

It may be. But how can you be sure at this point?

[turtle777]

Would be nice though

-t

[wallinbl]

Originally Posted by mitchell_pgh

I agree, but technically you can file a patent for anything, it just won't get approved

Err, yes they will.

United States Patent: 6329919
United States Patent: 6368227
United States Patent: 5188107

If you need further proof, just look around for a bit.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by wallinbl

United States Patent: 6329919
United States Patent: 6368227
United States Patent: 5188107.

-t

[loki74]

Originally Posted by wallinbl

Err, yes they will.

United States Patent: 6329919
United States Patent: 6368227
United States Patent: 5188107

If you need further proof, just look around for a bit.

No... they wont. Not unless they can provide a working model, and perform a legitimate demonstration.

Notice how none of those are perpetual motion machines (or similar)?

Although they do go to show that you can patent nearly anything. My favorite would definately have to be the second one--method for swinging on a swing?? ...just as long as its not bogus, ie, a machine that claims to, but cannot prove its ability to, generate infinite energy.

[- - e r i k - -]

Originally Posted by torsoboy

I think it is awsome if it is for real. We'll see if the 12 most cynical scientists can debunk it for us....

I don't know how this relates to a get rich quick scheme though.

It is a get-rich-quick-scheme because of gullible people like you. Except with money.

[tutelary]

legend has Tesla having a magnetic perpetual motion machine, plans for which he took with him to his grave. (in his head only)

[mitchell_pgh]

Originally Posted by tutelary

legend has Tesla having a magnetic perpetual motion machine, plans for which he took with him to his grave. (in his head only)

That's why it's a legend. There is no proof. He was also said to have a "death ray." Some went as far as saying he caused the Tunguska event.

[tutelary]

Originally Posted by mitchell_pgh

That's why it's a legend. There is no proof. He was also said to have a "death ray." Some went as far as saying he caused the Tunguska event.

Did I say it was real, genius?

[mitchell_pgh]

Originally Posted by tutelary

Did I say it was real, genius?

Did I say it wasn't, genius?

[Eug Wanker]

I'm not very keen on this. I've already got one, you see.

It's very nice!

[ort888]

It's simple. You strap a buttered piece of bread to the back of a cat and drop it. The cat will spin a foot above the ground forever, since the cat is unable to land on his feet due to the cosmic force of the butter side of the bread attempting to do the same.

Stick a rod up the cats ass and you could power a small house.

[torsoboy]

Originally Posted by - - e r i k - -

It is a get-rich-quick-scheme because of gullible people like you. Except with money.

Ah.. it's all so much clearer now!


Either they prove it works, or they prove it doesn't... until then, I will hold off judgement on it. I'm pretty sure they have a lot more experience with what they're talking about than you do.

[Chuckit]

If I announce that I have a square circle in my garage, will you withhold judgment? I mean, surely I have more experience with square circles than you do, since I've announced I have one.

[torsoboy]

A couple of you sure seem to think that everything that will ever be learned, already has. Limited thinking on your part.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by ort888

It's simple. You strap a buttered piece of bread to the back of a cat and drop it. The cat will spin a foot above the ground forever, since the cat is unable to land on his feet due to the cosmic force of the butter side of the bread attempting to do the same.

Stick a rod up the cats ass and you could power a small house.

Muahahaha

Winnar

-t

[Chuckit]

You seem skeptical about my square circle.

[OwlBoy]

Hmmm, either its fake. Or we will hear about the deaths of those involved and a fire where the plans and machine were kept

-Owl

[Oisín]

Originally Posted by Chuckit

If I announce that I have a square circle in my garage, will you withhold judgment? I mean, surely I have more experience with square circles than you do, since I've announced I have one.

The difference is that a perpetual energy machine breaks the laws of physics (which are only as well-known as they are, so to say), whereas a square circle is an oxymoron, something that is quite definitely impossible because a circle, as the word ‘circle’ is defined, can never, under any circumstances, be a square.

There is more to learn in the laws of physics (possibly including that/how energy can be created or destroyed); there is no more to ‘learn’ about the definition of the word ‘circle’.

[Chuckit]

The reason the definition of "circle" precludes being square is because we believe it is impossible to be concurrently circular and rectangular. Perhaps there is more to learn about possible shapes. I mean, I claim to have one in my garage, which apparently makes me an expert on the subject. I have recruited some anonymous geometrists to study my square circle, too, and they all say it is authentic.

[Oisín]

And such a nice shade of black white it is, too.

[SVass]

We extract energy from an "energy source" using magnetic fields at right angles to our state position. We experience some losses and therefore do not "violate" any laws of physics. Just because you are limited to your three dimensions does not mean that we are so limited.

[Chuckit]

I know. It's a shame I'm keeping such an awesome sight to myself and a few close-lipped geometry geeks. (Or maybe the reason they're not talking is because they've been dumbfounded by the glory!)

[Salty]

Originally Posted by Chuckit

I know. It's a shame I'm keeping such an awesome sight to myself and a few close-lipped geometry geeks. (Or maybe the reason they're not talking is because they've been dumbfounded by the glory!)

I would like to possess this square circle of yours good sir. Might I purchase for one billion dollars?

[mitchell_pgh]

Slashdot just picked up the article... it's receiving a fair amount of flames from the technologically literate.

Slashdot | Irish Company Claims Free Energy

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by from website

Early into this project the company developed certain generator configurations that appeared to be over 100% efficient. Further investigation and development has led to the company’s current technology, a technology that produces free energy.

Well, that sounds credible.
They accidently stumbled over it when they by chance developed generators with over 100% efficiency. LOL

-t

[Eug]

[tutelary]

whatever happens, dont let Rodney McKay work on it :x

[dcmacdaddy]

You're talking about the sun, right?

More than enough sunlight falls on, just a small fraction of, the earth to power the electrical
needs of the whole planet. And you don't have to violate the second law of thermodynamics
in the process.

[Chuckit]

If this is just about solar energy, Imma LOL.

[voodoo]

Fusion is for all intents and purposes free energy.

V

[- - e r i k - -]

Originally Posted by torsoboy

Ah.. it's all so much clearer now!


Either they prove it works, or they prove it doesn't... until then, I will hold off judgement on it. I'm pretty sure they have a lot more experience with what they're talking about than you do.

Yes. I do not have that much experience in scamming people unfortunately. Maybe I should look into it though. There truly is born one every minute.

[wallinbl]

Originally Posted by Chuckit

The reason the definition of "circle" precludes being square is because we believe it is impossible to be concurrently circular and rectangular. Perhaps there is more to learn about possible shapes. I mean, I claim to have one in my garage, which apparently makes me an expert on the subject. I have recruited some anonymous geometrists to study my square circle, too, and they all say it is authentic.

Squaring the circle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Oisín]

Originally Posted by - - e r i k - -

Yes. I do not have that much experience in scamming people unfortunately. Maybe I should look into it though. There truly is born one every minute.

One people?

[Chuckit]

Originally Posted by wallinbl

Squaring the circle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Proven to be impossible" — HA! Fully aware that my claims will be considered bunkum by anyone who has graduated kindergarten, I today issued a challenge to the global geometry community to test my square circle technology. This consists of the anonymous geometrists that I invited earlier who I swear were totally convinced.