Recent content by Ken Fabian

Thinking about this, (without referencing any experts sources) it seems that vacuum is an absolute limit on the suction side but there are no hard limits to the compression. I don't know to what extent a fan can disperse air non-directionally at low velocity rather than make a fast stream of air

Ground based lasers fired up the butt, to superheat air or vaporise an onboard (non-flammable) propellant is another hypothetical launch method. I seem to recall that being used in a novel by Donald Kingsbury, along with an orbital rail gun style 'station' that could capture them and relaunch...

There is ongoing evaluation of batteries with grid forming inverters for providing synthetic inertia; Tesla Motors Australia (that does Tesla batteries) has been urging more use of batteries with GFI's for system strength and inertia, as well as support for a specific market ie payment for such...

The detector response, prior to digging it out to see, could have been for something metal - it has nickel-iron inclusions. Could by why it was high density - felt heavy. Not familiar with them myself so not sure how the detectors react to gold bearing stones with gold as inclusions rather...

Did sound like Einstein found time for 'womanising' and was not monagamous. I don't relate well to/with religious fanatics. I can imagine having cordial conversation with Einstein. Not with Newton.

Since the question asks 'favorite' rather than greatest contribution or significance to science I have to say Herr Einstein. A nice guy, apparently approachable and helpful to students, colleagues and the ordinary person. A bit irresponsible when it came to women and marital relationships...

I've had a recent resurgence of appreciation for Yes and just bought a package of 5 cd's covering the period after I'd lost track of their releases. Was listening to them as this topic came up. For all that I like Yes musically, a lot, I've never been as impressed by their lyrics - close to the...

Glad Pinball put up some Yes. Not to everyone's taste but they've been a favorite of mine. The late Chris Squire is my all time favorite bass player - as often as not playing it as a 'lead' instrument as a rhythm one; in his hands that distinction broke down. He took it places and gave it...

I wonder if part of the lack of clarity is from the difference between ground heat radiating upwards and the re-radiation in all directions of the portion GHG's absorb out of that. Ground is heated largely by sunlight in parts of the spectrum that are not absorbed by GHG's (unimpeded) but...

I think the fire risks, whilst real, are not going to merit having dedicated outdoor charging or special fire resistant charging places or even nearby extinguishers; the principle approach needs to be improving and enforcing safety standards for batteries and chargers. I grant that a suitable...

Good news but not sufficient given the difficulties with Hydrogen. I think Hydrogen will be important but more likely for specific industrial uses with on-site production and storage than widespread use as energy storage or as transport or transportable fuel. A liquid fuel that can be produced...

Imaginary weapons can be easily made of imaginary 'wear resistant' materials, or just don't ever mention barrel wear - problem fixed. Suspension of disbelief - an essential SF story ingredient - is not a matter of the story details conforming to reality. There wouldn't be SF stories if...

I think the problems rising sea levels bring are going to be worst for those who do not have the economic resources to move or are denied entry or residency or acceptance or opportunity if they attempt to do so. The options available to those with sufficient economic prosperity - build better...

Plasma explosions would be fine for a fictional projectile weapon - just don't say how they would work. It is fiction - there isn't any requirement that the technologies should actually work. For lots of SF the key technologies more often don't exist and wouldn't work but it doesn't detract...

The warming world is the principle evidence - welcome to the test tube. I would much prefer computer modeling well in advance myself.