The reflexive response from mainstream science about the possibility of producing free energy from the vacuum is that it is not possible as this would violate the Second Law of Thermodynamics.

Over the last 20 years the absolute status of the Second Law has come under increased scrutiny, more than during any other period in its 180-year history. Since the early 1980's, roughly 50 papers representing over 20 challenges have appeared in the refereed scientific literature. In July 2002, the first conference on its status was convened at the University of San Diego, attended by 120 researchers from 25 countries. In 2004, the mainstream scientific journal Entropy published a special edition devoted to Second Law challenges. And, in July 2004, an echo of the first conference was held in Prague, Czech Republic.