Can tungsten nanorods harness air molecules to create propulsion?

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter fagan
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Head
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of using tungsten nanorods to harness air molecules for propulsion, exploring the feasibility of this idea through electrical manipulation of air molecules. Participants delve into theoretical aspects, potential mechanisms, and practical challenges associated with the proposal.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes a mechanism involving six electrical contacts to manipulate air molecules for propulsion, suggesting that moving air could reduce pressure and enable flight.
  • Another participant raises concerns about the voltage required to ionize air, suggesting it may exceed the breakdown voltage of any dielectric material used in the setup.
  • A participant questions the understanding of dielectric materials and the specifics of tungsten nanorods, expressing uncertainty about their properties and the number of air molecules involved in the process.
  • Further clarification is provided that "dielectric" refers to an insulator, and a point is made about the significance of the pointed end of the nanorod in contact with air molecules.
  • Another participant emphasizes the need to consider the number of air molecules required to achieve a significant effect and acknowledges the insulator as a potential problem.
  • One participant suggests that calculations could provide insights into the feasibility of the proposed mechanism, indicating that understanding the mechanics is crucial before addressing the specifics of air molecule interactions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of curiosity and skepticism regarding the proposed mechanism. While some acknowledge the potential of the idea, others raise significant concerns about the practical challenges and theoretical underpinnings, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in their understanding of dielectric materials, the properties of tungsten nanorods, and the specific calculations needed to assess the feasibility of the proposed propulsion mechanism.

fagan
Messages
12
Reaction score
0
Reduceing atmosphric pressure

Six electrical contacts as small and as close as we can make them on a surface. Call them ABCDEF. Apply current to C&D electrons are separated from air molecules in contact with C&D. Apply a positive charge to A the electrons will be drawn to A across B. Apply a negative charge to F the air molecules short electrons will be drawn to F across E.The electrons that come in contact with B will pass through a wire to E. Some of current can be harnessed that was needed to separate the electrons from the air can be recovered. As the positively charged air moves off C&D pushes the air off E&F. This will be repeated over and over again one after another also side by side covering a ever larger and larger area. We are moving this air with no moving parts so how fast can we make it move? Moving air over a surface reduces pressure on that surface. IF I am not wrong and the math does not get in the way This could make things fly.Could the six contacts points be made of tungsten nanorods? I truly do not see where I am wrong but it is to simple to work .Please I have thought of this to long but I can not do the math will never run into some one that can till I find out why it does not work I can not seem to let it go. Please Help.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
I suspect that the voltage required to ionize air greatly exceeds the breakdown of any dialectic placed between the wires in your arrangement.

OTOH years ago a hobby magazine published construction details for a solid state flier.
Simply apply about 30,000 volts to the power leads and it would fly.
No switching required.

The lawyers would be standing in line nowadays. :rolleyes:
 
What is dialectic the contact pionts? I tried looking up the sats on tungston nanorods found sats on carbonnano tubes but could not understand them. I heard of a expara ment where they heated the nano rod but do not know what they can take . I do not know how big a nano rod is how meny air molecules are incontact at one time how meny volts to ions them? like I said there is so much I do not know
 
dialectic=insulator in this case

>how meny air molecules
First of all it would be the pointy end of the rod you are interested in.
So the answer is one.

>but could not understand them
Now you know what your first task is. :biggrin:

Enjoy
 
Frist thing

The insulator would be a problem I never thought of. But the frist thing I think would be how few moluculs of air are needed to move how fast to get a efect that would do any good.
 
Last edited:
That answer you can probably look up or some calculations.

Tells you nothing about if your proposed mechanism can do this.

Its would actually be the last question you answer.
Since that answer says if your idea is any good or not.
 

Similar threads

Replies
9
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
4K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K