Purdue scientist is reprimanded

Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., reprimanded a scientist who has been accused of falsifying claims that he produced nuclear fusion in tabletop experiments.

Rusi Taleyarkhan published a paper in the journal Science in 2002 claiming that he had produced nuclear fusion, long sought as an energy source, by making tiny bubbles collapse in a liquid.

A university panel did not investigate the Science paper, which was published when Taleyarkhan was a researcher at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, but said he misled the scientific community by claiming his findings had been independently replicated.

Taleyarkhan was denied an appeal and stripped of his named professorship. His attorney said he would explore legal options.