[templar]

As simple as the 'cold fusion' process is reputed to be, and as simple as research into it and development of applications would seem to be, I'm surprised someone isn't cranking cold fusion generators, hot water heaters, home heating units, etc. out in their garage for retail sale. Unless, of course, it (cold fusion) is a failure or just a laboratory measurement trick and curiosity.

[Waldozer]

There have been discoveries in physics (theoretical or empirical) that have proven to be merely curiosities, but some time later, that discovery allowed understanding of something that seemed paradoxical. The knowledge is worth having for its own sake. For instance, solid state rectification was discovered long before transistors became practical.

I agree that patents are not worth as much as patents that a well functioning patent office would produce. But try getting some venture capitalist to invest in your fringy science project with no protection whatsoever. If nothing else, the re-evaluation should proceed honestly to clear the names of Fleischmann, Pons and others like John O'M. Bockris while they are still alive, who were smeared by opportunists, for the sake of science. Their science was good and has been validated.

Cold fusion reactions are difficult to start and sustain, but the experts report high rates of reproducibility now. Useful technology will certainly never occur if the needed research does not happen. Of course, it may never occur (like hot fusion commercial reactors -- most likely).