What's up with spinning superconductors?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the phenomenon of spinning superconductors and their purported effects on gravitational fields. Participants explore claims regarding the behavior of superconductors in motion, particularly in relation to general relativity and experimental observations.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants mention that spinning superconductors are said to shield or reduce gravitational fields, referencing past media claims and experimental observations.
  • Others argue that a spinning mass, including superconductors, generates a gravitational field rather than shielding it, suggesting that the superconductor's role is primarily experimental.
  • One participant expresses skepticism about the validity of the claims, citing the lack of reproducibility of results associated with Podkletnov's work and categorizing it as fringe science.
  • Another participant notes the absence of published results regarding the Tajmar experiments from 2006, indicating a need for more credible sources to substantiate the claims made.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit disagreement regarding the validity and implications of the claims about spinning superconductors and their effects on gravity. There is no consensus on the seriousness of the claims or their scientific grounding.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in the reproducibility of experimental results and the reliance on media reports, which may not accurately reflect the scientific consensus or findings.

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Not a shield, a spinning mass generates a gravitational field.
AFAIK any mass should work - the superconductor is just experimental convenience.

Legit researchers at a legit institution and there is every reason to suspect that GR isn't quite correct at quantum scales.
 
The claims on TV that I saw were even more fantastic.

They said that a spinning superconductor reduces the gravitational field above them! It was visible with even blowing smoke over the apparatus. Apparently it only worked with superconductors and people had troubles reproducing the results, since it was tough to get a large enough superconductor spin fast enough.
How to think about that?
 
Gerenuk said:
How serious is this to be taken?
I'd say not at all. Podkletnov's 'antigravity' claims have never been duplicated and he's squarely in the "fringe science" camp and thus beyond the scope of PF.
 
Regarding the Tajmar results of 2006 (which is what the OP's link directly referred to), I could not find any published results, only a preprint from 2006. (http://arxiv.org/abs/gr-qc/0603033) If the work was published in the mainstream press, PM me and I'll reopen this thread.
 

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