
The test was just a proof of concept
You are correct, the test they gave it was just a proof of concept. It didn't prove that it could work in a real case, or that the device could be used on a practical scale. All it did was prove that there is enough validity to the idea that futher research is a good idea.
And showing that, along with the grant money that comes from showing that, was probably what they had in mind all along.
Jay