Rossi: Extended E-Cat Test 'In Course' [Updated]

I had a couple of people ask here about the six-month-long Hot Cat test that was reportedly going to take place following the release of the Levi et al report in May. So I asked Andrea Rossi on the Journal of Nuclear Physics what the status of that test was, and this is his reply:

Andrea Rossi
September 4th, 2013 at 6:30 PM

Frank Acland:
As we said, a 6 months long validation test had to be made, and I repeated that validation of the E-Cat is in course. As always, I will not give any specific information regarding the validation test in course, with exception of the fact that this test will last more than 6 months. The results will be published after the test will have been completed, whatever the results, positive or negative.
I do not know where the publication will be made, because it does not depend on me. Also this long run test is being performed by an indipendent commettee, financed by institutions totally indipendent from us. Obviously the location in which the test is in course will be disclosed in the publication that will be made. I can only say that it is in the USA factory of a Customer. The E-Cats under test have been manufactured completely in the USA, in the factory of the US Manufacturer, indipendently from me: therefore also the manufacturing has been made by an indipendent- from- me party.
Warm Regards,
A.R.’

When he says ‘the test is in course’, it sounds like the test has already commenced, and if it is going to last more than six months we are apparently going to be looking at a 2014 publication of the report (possibly later if this is a years-long test!) Anyway, there’s plenty of time to sit and wonder about what it will contain. Perhaps the extended test will help determine how long a charge is good for. Rossi has said in the past that the projected six-month replacement of the reactor core (which contains the nickel powder, hydrogen and catalyst) is a conservative one, and that lifespan could possibly be extended.

It’s interesting that Rossi emphasizes here that everything involved is the test is independent of him — testing and manufacturing — and seems to be taking a good deal of pride in that fact. He makes it sound like now the whole E-Cat operation could move ahead without him. One of the criticisms of the previous test was that it took place in Rossi’s own facilities and that the unit was built by him which led critics to say that he could have rigged the test — with this test it will be harder to make such charges.

UPDATE:

I followed up on the JONP with this question, and got a quick response from Rossi:

Are your commercial operations dependent upon the results of this testing? In other words, are you waiting for this test to conclude before you launch commercial products?

Andrea Rossi
September 5th, 2013 at 10:01 AM
Frank Acland:
You must put a distinction between the third party indipendent tests ( that are totally indipendent from our commercial strategy) and the tests related to our internal R&D. I can speak only for our internal R&D, about which,as I said, the uses and operation of the E-Cats remain in the development phase. We are utilizing a number of controls and testing a variety of uses, this is a very rigorous process, made by expert scientists. It is simply too soon to speculate on what the results of our work will be. I remain confident in our work and our team.
Warm Regards,
A.R.

So it appears that this 6 month+ test is not connected with Rossi and co.’s product development and commercial strategy. It sounds like they have made the e-cats and given the testers leave to test them independently. Perhaps the publication of the test results will help with patent issues or marketing — there must be some upside for Rossi and co. for them to allow the testers access for so long.