@JedRothwell Money was at the bottom of it, for sure.
ETA- the details are hazy now, but (if I remeber correctly) Defkalion were supposed to come up with bundles of cash for Rossi and for Bologna U to get access to the tech and do some testing. As a former Prof. in the Physics/Astrophysics Dept Stremmenos arranged it, and ended up with no cash for anyone, and egg on his face.