Much-scorned Steorn is refusing to admit defeat

The Irish technology company ridiculed in the world press for its promise of perpetual free energy is still developing products

Shaun McCarthy, founder and chief executive, Steorn Picture: Maura Hickey

In July 2007, the BBC described it as a prolonged self-deception, and the Economist said it was perpetual nonsense. Six years ago, Steorn was perhaps the most ridiculed company in the world, having promised perpetual free energy – in violation of the second fundamental law of thermodynamics – only for it to fail to produce worthwhile test data in a public demonstration in London in June 2009.

None of this, however, has shaken ...