Pseudo-science gains clout in Japan
Posted on: June 30, 2008 - 2:50pm
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Pseudo-science gains clout in Japan
While browsing the news I found that a Japanese corporation called "Genepax" has bought into the water-as-fuel hubbub. It seems pretty clear to me that this is sheer madness from the animation they have here: http://www.genepax.co.jp/en/mechanism/system.htm
To reiterate the animation, numbering the chambers left to right as 1 through 5,
- H20 enters 1, O2 enters 5.
- Chemical reaction???
- 1 O enters 4
- 2 H+ and 2 e- enter 2
- 2 e- pass through a circuit, 2 H+ enter 3
- 2 e- enter 3 (drawn by the presence of 2 H+ and one O in 3?)
- 1 O enters 4
- H2O forms and enters 5
- Repeat.
The thing that concerns me is step 2, where something magic happens that doesn't draw more energy than the system provides AND splits the water molecule up into its component atoms. Any thoughts?
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Is actually this!
Step 2 ???? (Chemical Reaction)...
But seriously,
Water is a fairly stable molecule that doesn't rip apart easily. That's why electrolysis is most commonly used to break apart water into hydrogen and oxygen.
Magnesium will also react with water and give off hydrogen, the problem is that the magnesium is eventually consumed and takes all the oxygen with it. Sodium and Potassium give similar results. These reactive metals also give off lots of heat which helps the newly liberated hydrogen react with atmospheric oxygen. All this makes for a dazzling sound and light show.
Would be nice to know what the mystery chemical reaction is.
Remember how you figured out there is no Santa? Well, their god is just like Santa. They just haven’t figured out he’s not real yet.
You know, I was tempted to phrase that as
Did you ever notice that all irrationality, scams, hoaxes, religion, etc.. have their basis in the lie/wish thinking that you can get something for nothing or you can get more out of something than you put in. It's either:
0 + 0 = 1
or
2 + 2 = 5
Taxation is the price we pay for failing to build a civilized society. The higher the tax level, the greater the failure. A centrally planned totalitarian state represents a complete defeat for the civilized world, while a totally voluntary society represents its ultimate success. --Mark Skousen
Yeah.
willpower + god = win!
I found some interesting information on some other websites. Their technology probably isn't really pseudoscience, it's false advertising. Their reactor will require more than just water to run.
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20080613/153276/
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20080616/153301/
So their system not only requires water, but a Group 1 or 2 metal to liberate the hydrogen from the water.
Remember how you figured out there is no Santa? Well, their god is just like Santa. They just haven’t figured out he’s not real yet.
Something tells me the production of their magical metal requires more energy than the fuel cell produces.
I'm not entirely convinced they're claiming energy from nothing. Their site seems to suggest that this is a system initially powered by another engine which then becomes self-sustaining once the process is go, so there is some input of energy at the start.
I would like to know what the mystery reaction is though. My guess would be electrolysis, although I wouldn't be so sure about the metal being an earth metal. Those are just listed as materials that react with water. It's no guarantee that's what they're using.
M
Forget Jesus, the stars died so that you could be here
- Lawrence Krauss
The problem is electrolysis needs a lot of energy. It seems they're using some magic element that doesn't contribute energy to the reaction but uses less energy than normally required to perform the act.
You're right, the generator is a separate box used to charge whatever it is that needs charging.
That'll be whatever their magic catalyst is then. I'm also assuming their membrane is somehow tuned to allow high speed diffusion of protons to stop recombination of the ions in water.
I'm not sure I believe any of it...especially as they're not officially releasing any power values (according to their FAQ)
M
Forget Jesus, the stars died so that you could be here
- Lawrence Krauss
Is this by any chance a ttributed to Dr. Emoto of "What the bleep?"
I f*kin HATE pseudo science.
As if it isn't hard enough getting people to understand science without throwing crap around!
Zen-atheist wielding Occam's katana.
Jesus said, "Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division." - Luke 12:51
TANSTAAFL