Future Energy eNews May 13, 2002 1) 'Lifters': An Idea in the Clouds By Michelle Delio mailto:mdelio@earthlink.net?subject='Lifters': An Idea in the Clouds Wired Magazine, May 11, 2002 Antigravitational devices developed by a computer geek could eventually change the world as we know it. Or they may just blow a few holes into some barn roofs. The devices are known as "lifters." When charged with a small amount of electrical power, they levitate, apparently able to resist Earth's gravitational forces. Currently, the devices can only levitate themselves. But developer Tim Ventura and others are working to convert electrical current into a force that can lift and move planes, trains and rocket ships. If that proves possible, the technology that powers lifters could extend the ability to explore space and drastically cut the use of fossil fuels on Earth. But skepticism from mainstream researchers who wonder why lifter developers don't submit their devices for independent testing -- coupled with the strange tales that are told within the lifter development community -- have tainted the devices' reputation in scientific circles. Lifter developers and conventional scientists do agree on one issue: Oddball theories about how the universe works are worth investigating. Scientists at NASA's Breakthrough Propulsion Physics project are researching theories that at first glance would seem to be hanging even further off the bleeding edge of rationality than the lifter. Current projects include <http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/bpp/summ.htm> possible methods of manipulating space-time -- that's time travel in lay terms. "All major scientific breakthroughs were scoffed at when they first debuted," Marc Millis, a researcher at the Breakthrough Propulsion Physics project, said. "To move forward, a scientist has to explore <http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/PAO/warp.htm> the seemingly impossible." Lifter technology hasn't yet been proved "possible" for anything more than hobbyist use. But developers said they are getting closer every day. Ventura, a UNIX programmer for AT&T Wireless, builds lifters in his spare time. He constructs the devices with balsa wood, aluminum foil and 30-gauge magnet wire. Ventura's lifters are triangle-shaped frames that at first glance <http://www.americanantigravity.com> look like a craft project created by an artistically challenged individual. But when connected to a power source, a lifter suddenly shoots skyward to the extent that its earthbound tethers permit, and then hovers about in the air. Ventura uses an old Compaq computer display to power his lifters. Two wires come off the lifter, a positive power lead connected (PDF <http://tventura.hypermart.net/Testing-Guide.pdf>) via a high-voltage tap to the monitor's picture tube, which redirects electricity from the picture tube to the lifter, and a ground wire, also connected to the monitor. Lifters seemingly do levitate <http://www.americanantigravity.com/video/fast-lifter1.MPG> and hover without standard propellants, but the problem is that no one is quite sure why. Some developers believe that electricity stimulates the electrons on the lifter's surface, providing propulsion. Other theories such as ion-wind currents or electromagnetic disturbance of the air around the lifter have also been proposed, but there has been little scientific testing. "At least four different groups are pursuing (lifter technology) that I know of. None of these groups has yet published peer-reviewed rigorous literature on their observations or methods," NASA's Millis said. "Lifter creators' lack of interest in standard scientific procedure is tainting this topic and impeding progress toward a reliable resolution of the remaining unknowns." Millis was cheered by Congress' recent decision to earmark funds for a scientific study of lifter technology, which will be conducted by the Institute of Software Research <http://www.softwareresearch.org/indexframesflash.html> this summer. Ventura said he has considered submitting his work for scientific review, but it isn't "on the top of my to-do list." But he said he may soon be working with the Plasma Physicists project at Princeton University. "I would welcome any real outcome to this research," Millis said. "Proof that lifters do or do not work would be equally valuable. Right now, all we have is what amounts to folk tales." Ventura readily admits that lifter developers do tell some strange tales. One story is that the idea for lifters came from pieces of UFO wreckage taken from the Roswell site. A parcel of purported crash parts was sent by an unknown person to radio talk show host Art Bell in 1996. Bell sent them to a government researcher, whose investigations reportedly <http://www.artbell.com/roscrash.html> indicated that when electrical voltage was applied to the parts, they would move and in some cases levitate in much the same way as lifters do. So some lifter developers believe that their devices are modeled after UFOs. "As an inventor, I couldn't care less whether or not the idea for the technology came from a crashed UFO," Ventura said. "To be perfectly honest, I'm not what you would call a 'believer' anyway." Ventura has tinkered with another lifter legend: the "Gravity Capacitor." Said by some to be the true parent of current lifter technology, the Capacitor is rumored to have been developed accidentally by a 17-year-old trying to build a variation of "Fitzeau's Condenser <http://www.amasci.com/caps/capnotes.txt>" (a type of energy storage device) in the 1930s, and instead stumbled upon a method for controlling gravity with electricity. When the boy connected his tinfoil and waxed-paper device to the ignition coil of a Ford Model T, the Capacitor immediately levitated at such a tremendous speed that it left behind only a smoking exit hole in the roof of the barn. Ventura wryly notes that the capacitor's self-destructive nature makes it a less-than-ideal test apparatus for investigating gravitational forces. "Six hours of cutting foil strips and waxed paper is a lot of work for three seconds of smoke." 2) Antigravity Device Video & Information To: --- <UNDISCLOSED-RECIPIENT:;From: "Tim Ventura" Date: Fri, 10 May 2002 21:47:58 -0700 </UNDISCLOSED-RECIPIENT:; <UNDISCLOSED-RECIPIENT:; Dear Everybody: I believe that you might be interested in a new type of Antigravity technology that I am researching in the Seattle area. The technology involves an electromagnetic method of generating propulsion called a "Lifter" -- and unlike other people who have various claims about various devices, this one works. In fact, Lifter technology works SO WELL that people all over the world are replicating the experiments from the complete plans I've posted on my website athttp://www.americanantigravity.com . My website is the primary source of information for many people to stay up to date about advances in my research in this technology, and I am hoping that you might be able to mention it so that I am further able to help popularize this technology. The mpeg video clip that I have attached is of a recent outdoor test that I performed. The device in the test consumes about 20 watts of power -- or half of a regular light-bulbs consumption. This technology isn't magic, and it isn't lifting freight yet -- but I am working with Information Unlimited in New Hampshire and Transdimensional Technologies in Huntsville to come up with bigger and better prototypes. My goal with Lifter technology is to develop a vehicle for urban transport. The technology offers a silent, solid-state method of transporting things from point to point, and unlike the maglev, it doesn't need a track. The lifter doesn't levitate -- it flies. I use 3-foot tethers in my tests to keep it down because the power-supply is externally fed. I have also attached an article that I wrote entitled, "The Evolution of Lifter Technology". It is the complete history of my involvement in this research, and I think that it may come in handy as background information. I know that Charles Platt did an article on Podkletnov's antigravity experiments a while back, but this is different. This is better. This isn't a "possible 2% reduction in weight" -- this is "lifts off and flies around". I've already demonstrated this to a few hundred people at the Seattle Center 2 weeks ago, and the response was overwhelmingly positive -- I think that you will be just as intrigued as they were. Sincerely; Tim Venturatventura6@attbi.com http://www.americanantigravity.com
3) NASA Finally Discovers Electrogravitics - reprinted from FUTURE ENERGY, VOL. 1, NO. 3, 2002 (http://users.erols.com/iri/IRINews.html) -- updated version -- In 1994, IRI published the book, Electrogravitics Systems, Reports on a New Propulsion Methodology (IRI #611)http://users.erols.com/iri/electrogravitics.html. It shows how popular T. T. Brown’s inventions were in the 1950’s and how Northrop applied the force-producing, high voltage, capacitor design to the B-2 bomber, lately called "field propulsion." Then, after eight years and thousands of books sold, NASA scientists claim they have discovered a "method for generating thrust from two dimensional asymmetrical capacitor modules," with their new US Patent #6,317,310. The results, they note, "are potentially greater efficiencies and improved reliability over currently available electric thrusters" (that expel gas). See NASA TechFinder:http://technology.nasa.gov/scripts/nls_ax.dll/twDispTOPSItem(111;TOP8-80;0;1) for this information. Surprisingly however, no mention of the famous T. Townsend Brown patents (e.g. US #2,949,550 or #3,022,430), the Biefield-Brown Effect, or the terms "electrogravitics" or "electrokinetics" is made in the technical literature or in the NASA patent itself. The NASA promotion states, "In the past, inductive technology has been needed to create thrust, rotational motion, or step an actuator using electricity. This new technology accomplishes these tasks and more by using high potential, low current asymmetrical capacitor modules. The dielectric material of a capacitor under high voltage experiences a force. Based on the geometry of the capacitor, its material properties, and ambient conditions, the force can be predicted and utilized to move the entire capacitor and its mounting in a predictable direction. It had been theorized that thrust generation from this phenomenon was feasible, but no working prototypes had been developed, until now." While historically, the last sentence is incorrect (see IRI #611 book), we are gratified that fuelless propulsion is finally being utilized by NASA. JLN Labs have test results of their prototype of the thruster athttp://jnaudin.free.fr/html/omptv1.htm while Gravitec, Inc. also has test results from Purdue University at http://foldedspace.com/corporate.html with Brown’s term "Electrokinetic Propulsion." Marc Millis, from NASA's Breakthrough Propulsion Physics project continues to evade the NASA patent issue and also my book, Electrogravitics Systems, even in an email as recent as a week ago (to the Software Research Institute). Instead, his consciousness expressed in Wired magazine (5/11/02) "all we have is what amounts to folk tales" exposes his prejudice engendered from his choice to ignore a lifetime of research, testing, patenting, publication and demonstration by the pioneer scientist, T. Townsend Brown, who is featured prominently in my book. It seems that the Millis attitude, that also purposely ignores ALL classified research in advanced propulsion (telling me last year at the JPC-BPP in Salt Lake City that he has "chosen not to go that route"), the BPP project is probably closer to "Breakdown Propulsion Physics." It still has produced not a single propulsion breakthrough for NASA during all the years of its programmed ignorance. Another good example of Marc Millis' knee-jerk reaction is his remarks after the IRI-sponsored presentation of Godin-Roschin at the same JPC-BPP conference ("An Experimental Investigation of the Physical Effects in a Dynamic Magnetic System" #AIAA 2001-3660): "they had too many outrageous claims." (A free copy of their paper is available to all IRI memberswww.integrityresearchinstitut.org.) Attached is a slide used by Dr. LaViolette, who contributed to and talked about my book at the Space Drive Conference in Weinfelden, Switzerland (showing page 18) last year, where Godin & Roschin also presented. As noted in the slide, also true today concerning NASA, "One of the difficulties in 1954 and 1955 was to get aviation to take electrogravitics seriously." This is no longer true today as proven by the research papers contained in Electrogravitics Systems, Reports on a New Propulsion Methodology (IRI #611) http://users.erols.com/iri/electrogravitics.html (A free, slightly damaged copy of this book is available, on a first-come basis, to anyone replying to this email, with the request.) The NASA Space Thruster patent #6,317,310 can be viewed at:http://l2.espacenet.com/dips/bnsviewnav?CY=ep&LG=en&DB=EPD&PN=US6317310&ID=US+++6317310B1+I+&RETR=OKE&PG=1 On the NASA TechFinder web site ( Public Release Date: Nov 6, 2001 ), we can read : Objective: NASA scientists have discovered a method for generating thrust from two dimensional asymmetrical capacitor modules. The results are potentially greater efficiencies and improved reliability over currently available electric thrusters. Description : In the past, inductive technology has been needed to create thrust, rotational motion, or step an actuator using electricity. This new technology accomplishes these tasks and more by using high potential, low current asymmetrical capacitor modules. The dielectric material of a capacitor under high voltage experiences a force. Based on the geometry of the capacitor, its material properties, and ambient conditions, the force can be predicted and utilized to move the entire capacitor and its mounting in a predictable direction. It had been theorized that thrust generation from this phenomenon was feasible, but no working prototypes had been developed, until now. Potential Application(s) - Linear accelerator to launch payloads - Rotate a propeller or other shaft driven application - Stepping actuator - Near-earth orbital maneuvering ( Click here to read the full TOPS document on the NASA web site ) NASA Case No. MFS 31419_1: Apparatus & Method for Generating Thrust Using a Two Dimensional, Asymmetrical Capacitor -- available for technology transfer.No. MFS 31419_1: Apparatus & Method for Generating Thrust Using a Two Dimensional, Asymmetrical Capacitor; NASA Case No. MFS 31438_1: Rocket Combustion Chamber Coating; ...http://www.ssti.org/Digest/Tables/090800t2.htm
4) Gravitec’s Electric Field Propulsion http://foldedspace.com Gravitec, Inc. has been dedicated to the research and development of a new propulsion technology known as "Electric Field Propulsion". Simply stated, Field propulsion is the single most revolutionary propulsion break through in history. The basis for this claim comes from the fact that field propulsion does not have to exhaust any gasses or matter to generate a propulsive force, it simply uses a non-uniform electric field around a mass to generate a propulsive force. This means that field propulsion does not require fuel in the same way that a jet or a rocket does, it only requires electric power to convert it into a propulsive force. In 1996 Gravitec made contact with a member of NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. This member has helped Gravitec in the past and is one of our NASA supporters. After our trip to Marshall we met Dr. Walter Hammond and Dr. Jonathan Campbell. At this point Dr. Campbell took an interest in our work and asked us to create a device to demonstrate the force effect through a rotary device, which we did. Gravitec created the demonstrator at which time Dr. Campbell came to Kissimmee, Florida to videotape the device. He took the videotape to Marshall Space Flight Center to show other interested parties. We were informed by Dr. Hammond that Dr. John Rusek at Purdue University was interested in the Brown effect, which is what field propulsion is based on. After contacting Dr. Rusek at Purdue University we traveled to demonstrate the phenomenon and give a talk on the subject. As a result, Dr. Rusek and Purdue University began a small, but steady effort to test the phenomenon rigorously and eventually under high vacuum conditions. Theinitial vacuum test showed as suspected that field propulsion did not require any exhaust gasses to operate. These tests, while good, are not enough to bring to the scientific community, because something this extraordinary in nature needs extraordinary proof. We currently need to perform a more controlled and metered vacuum experiment to eliminate all doubts that have surrounded the phenomenon in the past. It is our desire that the new vacuum test be done at one of the vacuum facilities at the Naval Research Laboratories in Washington DC or a NASA testing facility sometime in the near future. The test and the set ups will be created by Gravitec, in co-operation with the testing facility. There will also be other participants including Dr. John Rusek and members of various interested government agencies. Other organizations like the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) are closely watching Gravitec and its work. The NRO has requested that we invite them to our test, which we will do when the time of the tests are better established. The results of the test will be made public via this website. We also plan to publish our findings in a prestigious scientific journal. Gravitec has a strong patent position, which is currently going unchallenged by any other organization or individual. Gravitec is currently speaking with members of a major defense contractor interested in proceeding into the next level of testing in the ultimate vacuum environment of space. They have expressed interest in the possibility of licensing the technology for satellite maneuvering purposes. When operating in atmosphere and at 30 kV two observations were made. The first reading was taken from the back electrode, with the aft electrode within the collector. The second measurement was taken from the fore electrode. From the first reading, it was observed that the current was 1.7 µA, whereas the fore electrode had a reading of 0.7 mA. The reasoning behind a larger current coming from the fore electrode is that the electric field is actually stripping electrons off the collector, instead of from the ions. Also the expected theoretical result in vacuum is off by a factor of more than a thousand (being a thrust of 3.65 e-4 mN expected, whereas a force of at least .31mN was observed at a lower voltage of 17kV). These were the only observations recorded, since it was deemed unnecessary to try to take readings within a vacuum since the observed and experimental currents are off by orders of magnitude and not enough to produce any meaningful effect during Electrokinetic Propulsion experiments. Read the "Space Thruster Electrokinetic Propulsion Purdue University Report":http://foldedspace.com/EKP%20Ionic%20Wind%20Study%20-%20Purdue.doc On October 5, 2000, the Hector Serrano's patent, http://l2.espacenet.com/dips/bnsviewer?CY=ch&LG=fr&DB=EPD&PN=WO0058623&ID=WO+++0058623A2+I+ "WO00/58623" Propulsion device and method employing electric fields for producing thrust, on behalf of Gravitec, has been granted. |
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