It is more than difficult to beleive that the US Navy does not know steam engines. It is even more difficult to beleive the heating of water to the temperature stated. It is possible, but with an enormous penalty is fuel. The heating of 1 pound of water is the equivelent to 1BTU. A bearing material and no friction, and water as a lubicant just seem to be a lot of perfect. We are sure of one thing, a laborotory is a lab. A lot of experimental starts have been attempted. With the appropriate results.