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Levitating Liquids In Simulated Zero-G
Ocean Quigley writes: "These researchers at Case Western University are making liquids float in magnetic fields, just as if they were in Zero G. By varying the strength of the fields, they can emulate changes in gravity.
Take a look at:
http://www.cwru.edu/pubaff/univco mm/liqbridge.htm." Very neat thinking on the part of these researchers -- don't fight gravity directly, but merely counteract it! Unfortunately, it doesn't look like a technique that can be applied to human beings yet, so you still need a plane or an elevator for your low-G experiences ;)
Doesn't anyone find it odd that we don't really KNOW how gravity works ?
I'm not really a specialist here, but it was my understanding that we don't actually have a particle to match gravity with. And thus no way to REALLY alter gravity.
This mangetism trick is no more than it is, a trick. It's nice to see, but the gravity is still there. Now if someone would find a REAL way to alter gravity, THAT would be cool.
Until then, space missions it is.
The funny thing is that you can't get away from gravity, where ever you go. You feel the gravitational pull from every object from everywhere in the universe anywhere you are. Astronauts have faked zero-g because they're just falling fast enough.
Anyway, I find it so odd that nothing explains how we can mess with gravity itself. It seems that there are a couple of things in physics that we don't quite understand correctly yet. (well, quantum mechanics ofcourse, but i doubt that will lead us to zero-g)
First, I think you meant a site about levitation at Nijmegen-Amsterdams University's magnet laboratory. This site has both physics and pictures :)
Second, a Levitron, which you can buy for a couple of bucks. The working principle is rather complicated, though.
Third, Nd-Be-F supermagnets should be rather cheap nowadays, so buy and try yourself :)
Andrei
oh, how about a levetating waterbed?
An instant swimming pool without the costs or space of the structure. Just turn on a switch and the pool of water takes shape. Turn on, jump in.
Dazzle your friends with the Levetating Electronic Bartender (tm).
Levetating drinking glasses. No cups to wash, coasters to pick up, just levetate your Jolt Cola (tm) above your desk and guide it with the joystick toward your mouth.
Zero gravity has got to be the ultimate environment for people who like to have fun.
Making something float with magnets has been done before.
With frogs.
I wish I kept the link now, but it wasn't THAT interesting.
Following the link back to the groups offical home page is intersting though. It could be just me, science though interesting experiments is always cool.
Later
Erik Z
Democrats or Republicans. They are both taking us to the same place and they are not afraid of us anymore.
I applaud any technology that makes it easier to get out of my chair and get my laptop, remote or whatever item I need but forget elsewhere. Yay, Case Western Reserve University!
If the amount of "gravity" applied to the object could be timed to counteract the effects of accelleration of the object, we could have "acceleration without whiplash," something that certainly exists on the starship enterprise. :)
ok then your [sic] infringing on my copyright! Could you as [sic] me next time before STEALING my comments for your own?
"OOOoooo look, 0 G!"