How much energy can be stored using microwave energy storage?

AI Thread Summary
Microwave energy storage in a vacuum superconducting or dielectric chamber presents a theoretically safe method for energy storage, as any released microwaves would disperse into space if the chamber fails. However, the maximum energy capacity of such a system remains unclear, with discussions suggesting potential calculations are needed. Concerns arise regarding safety, particularly if a chamber containing significant energy, like 10^15 Joules, is compromised. The possibility of creating particle pairs due to high electric field intensities poses additional risks, alongside issues related to dielectric breakdown of the vacuum. Overall, while the concept is intriguing, practical implementation faces significant challenges and uncertainties.
Stanley514
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I know there exist methods to store a microwave in a vacuum superconducting or dielectric chamber.From first sight it looks as promising energy storage device,more safe then a flywheel.Even if chamber will be broken microwave will just left and fly into space.
Unfortunately,I was not able to find any mentions on maximal amount
of energy that could be stored in this way.Maybe somebody could help
with approximate calculations?Or some clue on how could it be calculated?
 
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This isn't practical but works in principle.

When the peak electric field intensity in the vacuum is greater than than twice the rest mass of the electron, you could end up creating particle pairs.

The safety is not so clear and has to do with how quickly energy is released. Suppose your microwave box had 10^15 Joules in it. What would happen if you hit it with a hammer? Hint: a U235 fission nuke might release 1/10th as much when it goes off.
 
I think one of the problems could be that there is no pure vacuum and
even rare atoms will start to make some interruptions.I'm not going
to create new particles,but rather something similar or bit surpassing hydrocarbon fuels in energy density.Why do you think it is not practical?Maybe more practical than hydrogen storage researches?
Do you think we could create some similar resonances in intramolecular space?There is nothing between large molecules,it could be regarded as absolute "vacuum".
 
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"When the peak electric field intensity in the vacuum is greater than than twice the rest mass of the electron, you could end up creating particle pairs."

Do you mean hypothetical Hawking radiation?
Somebody still needs to prove experimetally it does exist.
 
Stanley514 said:
"When the peak electric field intensity in the vacuum is greater than than twice the rest mass of the electron, you could end up creating particle pairs."

Do you mean hypothetical Hawking radiation?
Somebody still needs to prove experimetally it does exist.

Not hypothetical Hawking radiation. This is the very real production of (non-virtual) electron-positron pairs. You may need a nucleus (or stray proton maybe) but it will happen if the fields get high enough.
 
Will dielectric breakdown of vacuum prevent energy storage
at some point of electric field strenghts?Or there is no such issue?

In addition, there would generally be large amounts of pressure due to the fields
Could you calculate approximately how much it will limit energy density?
 
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