More Skepticism Re: Theoretically Impossible Energy-Related Inventions

On the phone just now, I learned that these folks are trying to get a patent for what they claim to be a unique catalyst that electrolyzes steam, the heat for which uses only 12% of the hydrogen they produce, powering a fuel cell.  When I told them that this violates the first and second laws of thermodynamics, they said that they were aware of this, and understood my skepticism.

No surprise: They need funding to build and commercialize this, and wondered if any of the investors in my database would be interested.  I explained that I would look like a jackass proposing an invention that is theoretically impossible, and they said that they understood my skepticism and invited me to come look at their working model, which they expect to be able to present in their lab in Indiana in 60 days.

I wrote:

Again, thanks for your time on the phone just now.  I’ll look forward to seeing your demo unit; as I said, I’ll happily ride my bicycle to Indiana to see something that functions as you claim.  Per our conversation, here’s what I wrote to the guy a couple of days ago who made a similar claim.

I forgot to add:

I’m not a lawyer, but I’ve been told:

• The US Patent Office will not accept theoretically impossible devices, and

• In most states, raising investment capital for such concepts is considered criminal fraud