Perpetuum Mobile - At Last!

The Latin term perpetuum mobile means perpetual motion machines. These are a class of hypothetical machines which would produce useful energy in a way which would violate the established laws of physics. It is generally accepted that perpetual motion machines cannot exist. In particular, perpetual motion machines would violate either the first or second laws of thermodynamics. A small Irish technology firm issued a challenge to the world's scientific community to give its verdict on their technology, it says smashes one of the basic laws of physics by producing "free energy."

Dublin-based STEORN has placed an ad in The Economist magazine, looking to find 12 top physicists to examine their technology -- based on the interaction of magnetic fields -- and then publish their results.

The STERON Chief Executive Sean McCarthy fully accepts the current cynicism surrounding this but challenges the world of science to prove them wrong. The concept of "free energy" -- which contradicts the first law of thermodynamics that in layman's terms states you cannot get more energy out than you put in -- has divided the scientific community for centuries.

Off course the Internet is polluted with claims to have cracked the problem using magnets, coils and even crystals. STERON apparently discovered the technology while using magnets to try to devise more efficient wind generators and has spent the past three years developing it. Just in case that this turns out to be the worlds first confirmed case of real "perpetuum mobile" technology - remember you heard it here first!