Ten inventions which should come about (PART 2)

Energetic shield

In fiction, this item consists of an invisible hull of force, meant to protect a certain body against weapons or elements by rejecting or absorbing their impact. The force field is projected onto the surface of or in the space around an object and works through absorption or reflection of an attack’s energy.
Can it be realized? It is debatable. Scientists take this possibility into account, however, there are a number of impediments to overcome. The issue would mean firstly projecting energy in a solid shape. The concerned costs would be enormous and the concept would go beyond the present technologic capacity. Efforts have been undertaken towards setting up protecting shields in case of spaceships which penetrate Earth’s magnetic field. They have regarded the production of a positively charged plasma cloud around the ship, which would prevent the sun’s positively charged particles from coming into contact with the ship’s steel structure. However, the exact developing status of the project is not known.


The Supreme Cure

The supreme cure, sometimes also referred to as panaceum, after the Greek goddess of healing, Panacea, is a hypothetical remedy meant to cure all illnesses and extend life. It has been related by alchemists to the elixir of life and the philosopher’s stone. Despite it being an abstract notion, the medical sciences have been working for some time on the discovery of such an ideal formula. It would become the common remedy against cancer, HIV and other viruses, aging and any other affections and deficiencies.
Possible to produce? Again, theoretically yes. For many centuries, the idea has been just a daring dream, but contemporary medical advancement provides that this supreme cure might become reality in the not too distant future. Especially the progress in genetics and understanding of the immune system moves towards the fulfillment of this concept.


Anti-gravity field

The anti-gravitation describes the property of an object or place to exist in a state of complete independence from the force of gravity, or weightlessness. It does not refer to opposing the force of gravity by another force, as in the case of the helium balloon. Antigravity implies that the core resorts of gravitational force are canceled or inapplicable to the certain place or object by means of a technological intervention. The antigravity field is a concept often mentioned in science fiction, especially in case of shuttle propulsion. The notion was initially taken up in the work of H. G. Wells’ First men in the moon and has represented one of the imaginative technology’s favorite subjects. The practical application of antigravity would make for both lower transportation costs and gravitational manipulation in outer space.

Can it be done? In short, the answer is no. However, there are theories which would point out the existence or at least the possibility of an antigravity field in reality. Of the most popular evidence we mention the Biefeld-Brown effect. This occurrence does not technically represent antigravity but somewhat imitates its action. The phenomenon was discovered in 1928 by Professor Biefeld and his colleague T.T. Brown. They have observed that an electrically charged particle located within a strongly electrified field will produce a field of rejection around itself.

Ten inventions which should come about (PART 1)

...today’s dreams may be tomorrow’s realities

Interstellar travel

We have become familiar with the concept of interstellar travel by means of literature and science-fiction movies. It basically consists in the movement of a spatial vehicle through the galaxy at light speed over huge distances. This form of transportation is by far more complex than interplanetary travel, mainly due to the superior distances between stars. The possibility of managing such technology would allow the human race to reach new horizons and colonize faraway spaces of the galaxy.
Is it possible? NASA researchers believe so, as long as two major scientific conquests can take place: inventing a propulsion method which can allow reaching the maximum possible speed in the Universe and a new means of producing energy on board of the spaceship, which would give it indefinite sustenance and assure continuous functioning of all the devices. The issue of foodstuff resources is less discussed as human crew is not yet taken into account to be aboard the ship undertaking such a journey.


Terra-formation

With the meaning of “imitating terrestrial life”, it consists of the hypothetical process of deliberately modifying the atmospheric, climate, topographic, environmental and geological conditions of a planet in order to turn it into a habitable space with much possible similarity to the circumstances of life on Earth. This invention will indeed be necessary if it should ever come to interstellar colonization.
Can this be done? Theoretically, it can, by means of ecosynthesis, which is the process of introducing species into a certain space to fill the gaps in a disrupted environment with the purpose of increasing the speed of environmental restoration. The transformation would take place progressively, from a small space to the surface of a whole spatial body. Mars is deemed as the favorite potential planet for applying the terra-formation by many specialists. A number of studies regarding the possibility to heat the Red Planet and modify its atmosphere have been carried out and it is considered that the necessary technology for such endeavor is indeed available. However, the actual economical circumstances do not play along. Also taken into consideration for similar projects are the Moon and Venus.



Space elevator

The space elevator is a technological structure already in project state, which can serve for the purpose of transporting any type of matter from the surface of a celestial body directly into space. This means is regarded as a viable alternative to using a rocket. The concept consists mainly of the vertical movement of a cabin-like structure rising from the Earth surface to the geo-stationary orbit where a counterforce body would be installed. The idea of a space elevator first came up in 1895, when it was suggested by a Konstantin Tsiolkovski, who had dubbed it “Tsiolkovski Tower”. This invention would facilitate setting up various equipments and appliances in outer space, as well as launching satellites and traveling on the orbit.
Possible? Sure. The most plausible approach at the moment is by use of a cable or halter of special composition, acting as a circulation channel. It would rise from Earth’s equatorial zone to a spot outside the terrestrial orbit, where it would be anchored to a counterweight meant to strain the cable to the planet’s exterior. The inertia at the end of the cable would maintain the halter extended through gravitational force along with Earth’s rotation. Thus, the vehicles would be able to glide upwards along the cable, without the aid of rocket propulsion. This fact would considerably lower the costs of a space launch.