The Casimir effect - confirmed in outer space

[sundevil777 102]

Very interesting quantum mechanic type stuff.

In a perfect world, this turns into some power source ala Star Trek or something.

Think of the implications if it happened. At least it is fun to think of it
Remember when cold fusion got you to think that way. This looks like it is real, and who knows how it might be harnessed.

edit-and it was postulated 50 years ago!

The NASA astronomy picture of the day site:

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/:

This tiny ball provides evidence that the universe will expand forever. Measuring slightly over one tenth of a millimeter, the ball moves toward a smooth plate in response to energy fluctuations in the vacuum of empty space. The attraction is known as the Casimir Effect, named for its discoverer, who, 50 years ago, was trying to understand why fluids like mayonnaise move so slowly. Today, evidence is accumulating that most of the energy density in the universe is in an unknown form dubbed dark energy. The form and genesis of dark energy is almost completely unknown, but postulated as related to vacuum fluctuations similar to the Casimir Effect but generated somehow by space itself. This vast and mysterious dark energy appears to gravitationally repel all matter and hence will likely cause the universe to expand forever. Understanding vacuum fluctuations is on the forefront of research not only to better understand our universe but also for stopping micro-mechanical machine parts from sticking together.

People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

[sundevil777 102]

Come on folks.

This could be like something completely fundamental.

Let you imaginations flow, speculate!

It seems so cool to me.

I want to think about it being some link to a whole new corner of physics that could unlock - who knows what!

People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

[tunaplanet 0]

Casimir...great song by Led Zeppelin

Forty-two

[quade 4]

Since the effect has power only at incredibly small scales, it's difficult for me to think of a lot of practical applications at human scales. I don't see how, for instance, it could be used to propel a vehicle.

I think you'd have to design some sort of engine that turns the energy of the Casimir effect into something else, like electricity, before it could be used. I don't see how it could be used directly.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[Zee 0]

Although I do find this and other "quantum mechanic type stuff" pretty interesting yet, totally incomprehensible, I do find it quite amusing that someone came up with this theory of attraction by studying mayonnaise

Action©Sports

[ltdiver 3]

Quote

I mean, who opens a jar of mayo and says - Gee, from a scientific point of view, this stuff looks interesting?

You haven't seen the jar of mayo in my DZ trailer's 'fridge, have you? (someone keeps shutting off the power at all times of the day/night).

ltdiver

Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

[Squeak 17]

Quote

Since the effect has power only at incredibly small scales, it's difficult for me to think of a lot of practical applications at human scales. I don't see how, for instance, it could be used to propel a vehicle.

I think you'd have to design some sort of engine that turns the energy of the Casimir effect into something else, like electricity, before it could be used. I don't see how it could be used directly.

The "ion" drive also puts out VERY little energy but that can go faster than anything on earth.
It's a BLOODy long time since i read anything about it but ion drives take a long time to speed up but the just keep accelerating,(I THINK)
scratching head


edited to add this... I just did a quick google and found this basic site.
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/solarsystem/deepspace_propulsion_000816.html

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
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How's yours doing?

[Zee 0]

Quote

You haven't seen the jar of mayo in my DZ trailer's 'fridge, have you? (someone keeps shutting off the power at all times of the day/night).

Ah, no biggie - All ya gotta do is stir it up really good so the crusty yellow stuff blends in with the gooey white stuff underneath - then sneak in to the DZ's fridge and swap it with the fresh stuff - nobody will ever be the wiser

Action©Sports

[quade 4]

Ion drive still requires power and a fuel.

If the Casimir effect could some how create the power (electricity) then you'd have something "interesting", but you'd also still need a fuel supply to ionize.

More information about Ion drive here. http://nmp.jpl.nasa.gov/ds1/tech/ionpropfaq.html

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[Guest]

Ah...always good stuff.

NASA's Deep Space One was a POC (Proof of Concept) vehicle for the use of ion propulsion.

You're right - on a small scale, it works like a champ, but as Quade remarked, I doubt the effect is scalable - quantum phenomena seldom are.

OTOH, it could be a branch of hard science we haven't yet focused enough brainpower on; and remember - some of the greatest technological breakthroughs have occured by accident--how wonderful if the breakthrough occured by design...!

mh

.

"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat."

[billvon 3,120]

This was first postulated in 1948 and first demonstrated (on earth) in 1958. It's interesting as proof that quantum vacuum fluctuations exist.

[Lindsey 0]

"WHOOOOOOSH"

Over my head....

linz

--
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