Revised
At 08:57 PM 9/3/2008, you wrote:
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. 10) 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 Sally Mason, former
provost, and Linda Katehi, dean of the College of Engineering. (videotape
coming soon)
2005 (July) Purdue issues
<http://newenergytimes.com/BubbleTrouble/2005PurduePressReleaseJulyNED-XuButt.pdf>press
release announcing bubble fusion replication work of Butt and post-doctoral
researcher Yiban Xu and their paper in Nuclear Engineering and Design.
2005 (July) Purdue Primary Committee votes on tenure and promotions in
School of Nuclear Engineering. Rusi Taleyarkhan, professor of nuclear
engineering, votes against Lefteri Tsoukalas, the head of the school.
[<http://newenergytimes.com/BubbleTrouble/NETBubbleFusionSpecialReport.pdf>page
63]
2006 (Feb) Tsoukalas obtains statement from Butt.
[<http://newenergytimes.com/BubbleTrouble/NETBubbleFusionSpecialReport.pdf>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, desperate for
recognition of an independent replication of bubble fusion, inappropriately
inserted Butt's name into published papers and alleged that Butt had
nothing to do with the work.)
(Also around this time, Taleyarkhan's competitors at UCLA (Seth Putterman)
and University of Illinois (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 is removed as head of School of Nuclear
Engineering
[<http://newenergytimes.com/BubbleTrouble/2007SubcommitteeReport.pdf>page 2].
2007 (May) Rep. Brad Miller, D-NC, chairman of the House Committee on
Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight,
completes investigation of Taleyarkhan matter. Miller's report cites the
alleged statement from Butt as key evidence of research misconduct by
Taleyarkhan. Media, other government agencies and Purdue administration
pick up reference to Butt document and cast cloud over Taleyarkhan's
research and character.
2008 (Feb. 1) 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.
Taleyarkhan writes that the Butt video and the affidavits of Mize,
[REDACTED], and [REDACTED] provide evidence contrary to the statements made
by Butt under oath.
(Around this time, all formal accusations of science fraud against
Taleyarkhan are dismissed.)
2008 (July) Purdue completes investigation of Taleyarkhan matter and issues
judgment against Taleyarkhan for research misconduct. Purdue uses alleged
statement from Butt as key evidence. Purdue distributes press release
before completion of appeals process.
2008 (Aug) After appeals process is complete, Purdue sanctions Taleyarkhan
for research misconduct. Purdue orders demotion, cuts salary, distributes
press release.
