Someone said they felt like they came in during the middle of Act 1. This
was helpful for me. I've been so deep into this, sometimes I forget the
perspective of others. I would appreciate hearing if this helps, or where
it could use improvement.
Thanks,
Steve
Excerpts from Bubblegate Conflict at Purdue - Timeline Overview
2005 (Feb) Adam Butt, graduate student at Purdue, gives demonstration of
his thorough knowledge of and experience with bubble fusion research at
Purdue in front of numerous Purdue faculty including former provost Sally
Mason. (videotape coming soon)
2005 (July) Purdue issues
<file:///H:/N/W/N/BubbleTrouble/2005PurduePressReleaseJulyNED-XuButt.pdf>press
release announcing bubble fusion replication work of Butt and post-doc
Yiban Xu and related publications.
2005 (July) Purdue Primary committee votes on tenure and promotions in
School of Nuclear Engineering. Rusi Taleyarkhan, professor of nuclear
engineering, votes against Tsoukalas, the head of the school. [SR* page 63]
2006 (Feb) Tsoukalas obtains statement from Butt. [SR* page 65] Document
says Butt was not involved in bubble fusion research.
2006 (March) Tsoukalas and another Purdue professor, Tatjana Jevremovic,
are quoted in Nature making serious allegations against Taleyarkhan.
(Around this time, allegations surface that Taleyarkhan (but not Purdue),
desperate for recognition of an independent replication of bubble fusion,
inappropriately inserted Butt's name into papers and alleged that Butt had
nothing to do with the work.)
(Around this time, Taleyarkhan's competitors at UCLA (Putterman) and UIUC
(Ken Susslick) are quoted in media reports that suggest that Taleyarkhan
has committed science fraud. News of fraud is transmitted worldwide through
media syndication.
2006 (October) Tsoukalas removed as head of School of Nuclear Engineering
(see Miller report)
2007(May) Rep. Brad Miller (D-NC), Chairman of the House Committee on
Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight
references the alleged statement from Butt as key evidence of research
misconduct by Taleyarkhan. Butt document is referenced by media, other
government agencies and Purdue administration and casts cloud over
Taleyarkhan's research and character.
2008 (Jan-Feb) Taleyarkhan is present when Butt (over telephone) is
cross-examined by attorneys. Taleyarkhan states that Butt a) fails to
confirm facts attributed to his alleged written statement and b) fails to
remember facts that conflict with his alleged written statement.
(Around this time, all formal allegations of science fraud against
Taleyarkhan have been dismissed.)
2008 (July) Purdue issues judgment against Taleyarkhan for research
misconduct. Uses alleged statement from Butt as key evidence for
Taleyarkhan's research misconduct. Purdue distributes press release prior
to completion of appeals process.
2008 (Aug) After appeals process is complete, Purdue sanctions Taleyarkhan
for research misconduct. Uses alleged statement from Butt as key evidence
for Taleyarkhan's research misconduct. Purdue issues demotion, salary cuts,
distributes press release.
