Physicist Christopher Chaiba and his colleagues from the Princeton University laboratory have created a cylinder, capable of generating electricity from the Earth’s rotation and magnetic field.
Humanity learned how to generate energy from the sun, water, and wind, but generating electricity directly from the planet’s rotation still seemed impossible. Christopher Chaiba came up with the idea of such an experiment about 10 years ago, based on the results of studies of the heating of distant satellites that enter the magnetic fields of the planets around which they orbit.
In theory, when the Earth rotates due to its own magnetic field, any electrically conductive material on its surface should feel the force that moves electrons, creating an electric current. However, this usually does not happen, as the electrons quickly change position and create an opposing electric field that neutralizes any electric charge before it can be captured.
Leading British physicist Michael Faraday made similar attempts unsuccessfully since 1832. His experiments proved that this was impossible. However, Chaiba, along with colleague Kevin Hand of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, say that Faraday’s experiments were based on assumptions that may not have been true for some specific circumstances. The scientists say that if the device had been constructed of the right materials and had the right shape, the limitations could have been circumvented.
The Earth’s magnetic field is formed by the mixing of molten iron in the planet’s core and is not homogeneous, having symmetrical and asymmetrical components. During the Earth’s rotation, the symmetrical part is aligned with the axis of rotation and can remain stable, creating a potential energy source.
To generate an electric current using this, the scientists created a small hollow cylinder of manganese-zinc ferrite, which has a weak conductivity and shields the magnetic field. This prevents electrons from rearranging.
The scientists set up the cylinder at an angle of 57 degrees, perpendicular to the Earth’s magnetic field and its rotational motion. Electrodes were attached to each end of the cylinder, measuring a small DC voltage of about 18 microvolts. If the device was rotated 90 degrees, the voltage disappeared, but if it was turned over — it changed. Control tests with solid cylinders did not produce any voltage. To ensure the accuracy of the results, the device was carefully protected from external interference such as temperature fluctuations and background electromagnetic noise.
Meanwhile, Chaiba and his colleagues admit to skepticism about the results. However, the scientists claim that from the point of view of physics, everything was done correctly. Although tiny, the electric current is indeed generated by the magnetic field and the Earth’s rotation.
The generated current is proportional to the size of the device and the relatively weak strength of the Earth’s magnetic field. To generate more electricity a much larger device made of materials with better electrical conductivity is needed. According to the scientists, future versions of such devices can be made small and connected in series to amplify the voltage, or placed in orbit where the Earth’s magnetic field is stronger.
Other physicists were skeptical of Chaiba and his team’s experiment. According to Yong Zhu, a microelectronics specialist at Griffith University in Australia, too many factors can affect the formation of a voltage of 18 microvolts. These can include both temperature fluctuations and latent currents.
Rinke Weyngaarden, a former scientist at the Free University of Amsterdam, has tried to conduct a similar experiment several times before without success. He is convinced that Chaiba and his team’s theory is wrong.
The results were published in the journal Physical Review Research
Source: ZMEScience
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