Recent content by dbaezner

Thanks for the detailed reply, Drakkith. Let me see if I have this right. Cold fusion is supposed to produce heat which can generate electricity by driving a turbine. Doesn't the power conversion dissipate the heat, eliminating the need for a coolant? Vanadium, I need only enough explanation in...

Drakkith, what do you mean by fuel cells? Batteries? My story is set 2000 years in the future, so I'm interested in stretching current tech to its limits (assumes we succeed in miniaturizing fission tech, developing workable fusion tech, etc.). It's a space opera story, so I don't plan to go...

Hi. I'm trying to create a power generating technology for a sci-fi story that is ubiquitous in everyday life (e.g., flying cars, starfighters, elevators, homes, etc.). One element I need is for the power core to be able to overheat and kill a human in a starfighter. Is there an existing or...

Hmm. I haven't been getting email updates to everyone's posts, so my apologies for not responding sooner. I'll look into some of the elements suggested here. Unobtanium is a favorite of mine. :-)

Hi. I'm looking for a substance that could be used to draw dark energy from space and power very large spaceships. Ideally, it would be something real but rare on Earth. I was using a made-up mineral called sparkle, but I found that using something made up didn't feel right, otherwise why hasn't...

Hi. I'm writing a space opera with your typical Star Trek-style shuttle. In the story, the ship is hit and begins leaking air. I want to knock out the characters (e.g., due to reduced oxygen before they can be rescued) without permanently injuring them due to loss of pressure or other effects...

Yeah, Wikipedia blew dark energy out of the water for me. I was hoping someone had a different point of view to that in the article. Thanks for the link about dark matter. I'm not sure how to leverage primordial black holes as a power source. How is it that these black holes aren't seen...

It is for a science fiction novel. I'm looking for a source of energy to power spaceships and am interested as to whether dark matter or dark energy could ever provide such power. Thanks

Hi. I was wondering if someone could tell me whether there is any reason to believe that one might eventually (distant future) draw power from dark energy or dark matter as a power source for spaceships. Thanks.

This is helpful. Thank you all.

Separate question. Can anyone tell me what the limitations would be of trying to convert the planet's ever increasing heat into electricity. I'm imagining building materials that could take 100-120 degree heat and convert it for use in running home appliances, including air conditioners. How...

I was wondering if someone could help me with the current and foreseeable technology to use Earth's energy (nuclear, hydro, etc.) to actually scrub the atmosphere of CO2 and other gases. I'm curious if this is even possible and how it might be done. I've been trolling the internet for this...

I've been trolling for this answer on the Internet but can't find a simple explanation. If I have two airplanes of different mass, both flying at the same speed, which plane has the larger turning radius and why? It seems like the more massive plane would require the larger turning radius due...

The plane is still in the atmosphere. I'm exploring what happens to the flight physics if the plane and its contents cease to be affected by the force of gravity (think of it as an on/off switch). Can I still turn by rolling? Or do I need gravity to accomplish that? I need a design that works...

Here's one for the masters. This is for a sci-fi story. I cross-posted to the flight physics folks as well. I have a space plane with the ability to yaw, pitch, and roll (with rudder, elevator, and ailerons) in the air, but am trying to understand what would happen if the plane no longer...