[markam]

I'm not sure if this is an energy technology, but if true, sure has the potential to give us the Star Trek future instead of the Mad Max future.

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '"')This experiment is the gravitational analogue of Faraday's electromagnetic induction experiment in 1831.

It demonstrates that a superconductive gyroscope is capable of generating a powerful gravitomagnetic field, and is therefore the gravitational counterpart of the magnetic coil. Depending on further confirmation, this effect could form the basis for a new technological domain, which would have numerous applications in space and other high-tech sectors"

[mrflora]

Very interesting, although it probably won't have much impact on Peak Oil.

I've downloaded one of the papers referred to in the article; it may be found at:

http://arxiv.org/ftp/gr-qc/papers/0603/0603033.pdf

I have not had a chance to read the paper yet, although the ESA article said that the g-acceleration produced by the experiment was only 1/100 millionth of a gee. Wonder if the acceleration depends directly on the square of the angular speed?

A lot of people over the years have thought that spinning superconductors could produce gravitational effects. I guess Podkletnov was right.

Regards,
M.R.F.

[whereagles]

The gravitomagnetic effect is known for a very long time, and is presently being tested by the space mission "Gravity Probe B".

It would probably never be used for anything, as it's extremely weak, of the order G/c^2 (that is 10^-27!). The superconductors might be used for trying to amplify the effect, yes. But, as far as I know, nothing has come out of that research.

[markam]

but the interesting thing is that there experiment shows a gravity field one hundred million trillion times larger than Einstein’s General Relativity predicts should be there.

I really hope this is something. I have always thought that control of gravity is the answer to humans spreading off this world. Just think, a spaceship that can take us to mars in a couple of days.

[mrflora]

I have read the paper. I was wrong, it seems they are claiming 1/10,000 g acceleration, which is actually significant. Trouble is, it seems to be generated by ring acceleration and not by angular speed. This makes it rather difficult to build any device that could exploit the effect. I imagine you could build something that would rapidly accelerate the ring, then flip the ring about an axis in the plane of the ring, then rapidly decelerate the ring, then begin the cycle again. This would generate a pulsed g-field that had a constant direction. Flipping the ring requires an acceleration as well, however, and I do not know in what direction the g-field resulting from this acceleration (if indeed there is one) would point.

Regards,
M.R.F.

[gg3]

From what I read, the effect is large enough to be relevant to theoretical physics, but nowhere near large enough to be usable in any reasonable way as a source of energy or a means of propulsion. Also it would seem to be a bit of a stretch at this poins to claim it provides confirmatory support for Podkletnov. So, this doesn't solve any of our present problems, though there is always the possibility that a more inclusive theory will eventually lead to applications.

Meanwhile: contraception, nuclear, wind, solar, biofuels, efficiency, conservation, powerdown. There's still no substitute for doing the work.