Of course the oil industry know what STWA have got. That's why STWA are in discussion and/or testing with all the major players in the industry! The list of players interested has been posted here many times and is more or less a list of the top billion dollar companies in the industry. Incredibly impressive for a small company like STWA. A sure sign they have something very desirable.
I say TC were astounded by the test results and certainly have not walked away. That story is yet to play out.
I say STWA pulled the plug on the Chinese after getting incredible test results because TC requested them to. And then collaborated on further development of the AOT.
I say Dr. Tao had nothing to do with the MacCharger because he has nothing to do with Apple. Neither, incidentally, did he have anything to do with the MagCharger.