verno Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 http://socyberty.com/paranormal/move-objects-with-the-power-of-light/ Scientists are trying to advance the technology of moving objects with light. It's a perfect source of energy, and they are hoping to create something amazing with it, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swansont Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 There were a number of stories on this a few weeks ago. It's somewhat unusual to choose one that classifies this as paranormal and talks about shrinking people. As a propulsion source it's pretty inefficient. But it does have some advantages, since the "engine" and fuel don't have to be carried aboard the craft, so the craft can be lighter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verno Posted January 5, 2011 Author Share Posted January 5, 2011 Perhaps, but that's not the only thing that this new technology can create. Shrinking would have to come from a completely different invention, although with large sources of light, perhaps it can power an airplane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swansont Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 Perhaps, but that's not the only thing that this new technology can create. Shrinking would have to come from a completely different invention, although with large sources of light, perhaps it can power an airplane. That's easily calculable. For radiation pressure to levitate a 1kg object, it requires about a flux capacitor's worth of power: 1.21 GW. http://blogs.scienceforums.net/swansont/archives/60 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemur Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 I think the trick would be to get all the energy to result in linear motion of the object instead of the electrons absorbing it. How could you prevent photons from resulting in either heat or re-emission? Maybe the key is low-frequency waves since higher frequency ones seem to get absorbed by particles similar in size to the wave, which seems to result in small scale energy transfers like heat and re-emission of radiation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swansont Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 Reflection is the best you can do with photons. It gives twice the momentum kick as absorption. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpha2cen Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 How to make much photons? Beside the photon wave length, photon intensity is another problem. Can we make continuous photon generator? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moontanman Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 How to make much photons? Beside the photon wave length, photon intensity is another problem. Can we make continuous photon generator? Yes, it's called a laser, or light bulb, or microwave, or heater coil, or fire.... Humans generate photons, something like 100 watts worth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpha2cen Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 The problem is how to make so much photon by using device. Low power photon making is not difficult. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Join Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 I think the key of the technology is the material that is used to receive the photos on the airship. If one kind of material can get much pressure with reacting with the light,it will be OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imatfaal Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 I would have thought that reflection of photons (rather than reception/absorption) would generate the greatest force on the solar sail - if we conserve momentum then an absorption would give a "push" of a certain amount but a reflection would have to give twice that much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klaynos Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 I would have thought that reflection of photons (rather than reception/absorption) would generate the greatest force on the solar sail - if we conserve momentum then an absorption would give a "push" of a certain amount but a reflection would have to give twice that much. This is indeed what happens. Reflection is the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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