Lifter device testing in a vacuum

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers around the viability of dielectric thrusters, commonly known as lifters, particularly in a vacuum environment. A lab has reportedly conducted successful tests in a vacuum, which contradicts earlier claims that such devices would not function effectively without ionized air flow. Participants express confusion regarding the relationship between the vacuum tests and the principles behind lifters. One contributor suggests that lifters may operate similarly to the LEVITRON, utilizing electrostatic forces rather than rotational motion. However, skepticism arises regarding the legitimacy of lifter experiments, with references to only two properly documented studies, one of which was peer-reviewed and yielded negative results. This study indicated a correlation between gas pressure and thrust, implying that the observed effects might be due to ion wind rather than true lifter functionality. The conversation highlights the need for further clarity and understanding of the underlying physics involved in these experiments.
Zantra
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http://www.tdimension.com/news.html

I believe TEN had mentioned that these things wouldn't work in a vacuum due to ionized air flow. Well here's a lab who did sucessful testing in a vacuum. I'm sure there's a reason this cannot be harnessed, but maybe someone would fill in the blanks for me? Is it a matter of directionality or something else I'm not thinking of?

Here's the paper that was published on it- it's in PDF format.

http://www.tdimension.com/documents/AIAA 2001 Manuscript.pdf
 
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No comments so far? I would recommend reading the paper on this subject, so it becomes clearer
 
Originally posted by Zantra
No comments so far? I would recommend reading the paper on this subject, so it becomes clearer

Zantra: I would recommend you read it (the 2nd site you referenced). Then tell me why you think it has anything to do with the first one about dielectric thrusters (lifters).[?]

Creator
 
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Originally posted by Creator
Zantra: I would recommend you read it (the 2nd site you referenced). Then tell me why you think it has anything to do with the first one about dielectric thrusters (lifters).[?]

Creator

It doesn't? OK my mistake. It was the paper referenced by the same site. Unfortunately I had some difficulty understanding the paper to the fullest extent.

Someone clear this up for me?
 
Do you know the LEVITRON ?

www.levitron.com/physics.html

Maybe the LIFTERs works on a similar principle, but electrostatic, and needing no spin to maintain the equilibrium of forces.
 
I've cross referenced this, and as far as I can tell, it's a haox. Only two experiments of this type were properly documented, of which one was peer-reviewed. Both were negative. The latests one even detected a relationship between the pressure of the gas around the lifter drive and it's thrust, suggesting strongly it was an ion wind effect. The other experiments that do confirm it could not be reproduced, and hence were probably due to the use of an inadequate vacuum.

Quick link:
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.08/pwr_antigravity_pr.html
 
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