Re: Is there anything to Bruce DePalma's 'free energy' device?

John, 

As a die hard skeptic, there is only one way to deal with claims like Mr.
DePalma's: Put the machine on a table in front of cameras.  Give operating
instructions to other scientists and let them turn it on and give it a go.
 If it really does what he says it can, I'll buy one.  No one would love a
two order of magnitude reduction in his electricity bill more than I. 
However, there must be proof by several sets of 3rd parties that have no
vested interest in the outcome, repeatability is crucial.  The claims that
some faceless "power monopoly" want it stopped are the stock and trade of
charlatins throughout history.  It is also bothersome that another claim on
this web page is for an anti-gravity device.  This would be something that
everyone would love to have, especially the military.  If it really
existed, it would be known.  There is no way some design sitting around
from the 70's wouldn't be exploited for all its worth if it could really do
that.  I don't see any studies or results published in true refereed
journals.  These sound like they belong in the Journal of Irreproducible
Results (that does exist, BTW).  His explanation of the flame of a candle
is so much garbage I can't even believe it.  Having done more
thermodynamics and chemistry and plasma physics than I ever want to admit,
I find his statments unsupportable in the face of many lifetimes of
evidence and controlled experiments in the study of fire.  The way plasma
works is very well known in this case.  

Now mind you, I would never say something is impossible without evidence. 
There is always the possibility, no matter how remote, that conventional
wisdom might be wrong.  Just remember that it is VERY unlikely.  It is
necessary to keep the emotional desire for something to work seperate from
the reality of the experiment.  This is why we have the scientific method.  

Remember this well, young physicist: extraordinary claims REQUIRE
extraordinary proof.  Show me the proof.  

I wish you good luck in your studies and ask that when you come across
extraordinary things: keep an open mind, a keen eye for details, and lead
with your mind, not your heart.  At the very least, it'll save you a lot of
money.  

Scott Kniffin
Pr. Engineer
Radiation Effects and Analysis Group
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center