This site has recently covered Blacklight Powers announcement of a 50kw prototype generator. The new information is that they have over 20 of those units undergoing testing.
The Controversy and theory is NOT “If Blacklight Power is right then Quantum Mechanics is wrong”
The wikipedia coverage of the Hydrino theory indicates that it maybe compatible with the standard theory of relativistic quantum mechanics. H/T to Anodes commenter on reddit for pointing out the Hydrino Theory wikipedia entry
One of the main critical papers is the work by A Rathke, A critical analysis of the hydrino model
Jan Naudts of the University of Antwerp, a supporter of standard quantum theory rather than Mills’ theory, whose paper nonetheless states:
A. Rathke has questioned the existence of [the hydrino], claiming that it is incompatible with standard quantum mechanics. All Rathke’s arguments relate to nonrelativistic quantum mechanics. The present paper discusses the problem in the context of relativistic quantum mechanics… The present paper shows that one can find arguments in favour of the hydrino state also in the standard theory of relativistic quantum mechanics.
Another scientist disputing Rathke’s analysis, Ronald C. Bourgoin, of the Edgecombe Community College, published a peer-reviewed paper in the journal Advanced Studies in Theoretical Physics, not only supporting the theoretical possibility of hydrino states, but further stating that the general wave equation of quantum mechanics predicts the very same reciprocal energy states as does Mills’ theory.
Mills reports that limitations on confinement and terrestrial conditions have prevented the achievement of hydrino states below 1/30, which would correspond to an energy release of approximately 15 keV per hydrogen atom.
Schematic of the Blacklight generator with calorimeter test setup (link to 102 page paper)
While his business has been working on the “BlackLight Process” since its inception almost two decades ago, Mills developed the patented cocktail that enables the reaction – a solid fuel made of hydrogen and a sodium hydride catalyst – only a year ago. Now that the device is ready for commercialization, he says, BlackLight is negotiating with several utilities and architecture and engineering firms, but he won’t disclose any partners’ names until the deals are finalized.
About 20 of the generators, which look like small copper water heaters turned on their sides, rest on lab benches inside the company’s 55,000 square foot headquarters, once a Lockheed Martin facility. BlackLight’s 11 scientists barely make a sound as they slip among the cavernous rooms, blue lab coats flapping behind them. The near-emptiness is eerie, but it’s also portentous, says Mills: “Within the next two years, we’re going to grow to 500, maybe 1,000 employees. This could satisfy a majority of the world’s power needs, and the demand is going to be huge.”
“He’s wrong in so many ways, it’s beyond counting,” says Robert Park, a professor of physics at the University of Maryland and former spokesman for the American Physics Society. Parks, 77, uses BlackLight as an example of phony physics in his 2002 book, Voodoo Science: The Road from Foolishness to Fraud. He says of Mills, “I don’t know of a single scientist of any reputation who takes his claims seriously.”
Critics such as Park say the high-profile CEOs on BlackLight’s board are following each other over a cliff. He could be right: Both Jordan and Jim Lenehan – a BlackLight investor, senior consultant at hedge fund Cerberus, and former president of Johnson and Johnson (JNJ, Fortune 500) – say they were led to the business by friends. But Lenehan, who does not sit on BlackLight’s board, says, “It’s no longer a high-risk part of my portfolio. It now has the ability to make a huge difference in the world of power.”
Jordan, who earned science degrees from Yale and Princeton, expresses a similar sentiment.
“In the beginning, I thought it was worth putting money into because it was going to be a huge flop or a huge success.” he says. “But when they made the breakthrough last fall, I saw the results.”
That logic could explain BlackLight’s success in garnering investors, despite its lack of scientific approval: While the academic community stresses theoretical backing for a new discovery, the business world is more concerned with practical applications.
Lenehan says, “My point of view is, just do it – generate power. In terms of influencing investors, it’s about results.”
Jordan agrees: “Theoretically, the bumble bee can’t fly – but no one told the bumble bee. Now they’re saying this can’t be done, but it’s happening.”
The rest of the world will have to wait for evidence until the fall of 2009, when the business promises to install its cells in power plants.
FURTHER READING
Blacklight generator 102 page paper.
In this study we made specific theoretical predictions and tested them with standard, easily interpretable experiments. The results of spectroscopic, chemical, and thermal data show that new energy states of hydrogen are formed by the reaction of H with catalysts such as Li and NaH . Furthermore, the power and energy balance data demonstrate that this novel reaction of atomic hydrogen can proceed with high kinetics and yields by using reagents to generate the catalysts such as Li and NaH to form significantly more stable hydrides and hydrogen molecules is a new energy source ready for commercialization. The energy scaled linearly and the power increased nonlinearly to easily achieve over 50 kW. Based on the volume of the catalyst and hydrogen fuel, the power density is among the highest known, (comparable to or higher than that of internal combustion), and the energy balance is greater that that of any know material on a weight or molar basis. Consequently, the mass balance and cost per unit energy is much lower than that of burning fossil fuels. Furthermore, the process is nonpolluting. Since the identified H2 (1/ p) byproduct is stable and lighter-than-air, it cannot accumulate in the Earth’s atmosphere.
39 page spectroscopic observation paper
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
A frequent speaker at corporations, he has been a TEDx speaker, a Singularity University speaker and guest at numerous interviews for radio and podcasts. He is open to public speaking and advising engagements.
Comments are closed.