Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: techshaman on 26/03/2013 22:58:02

Title: Is it possible to create a "mining laser"?
Post by: techshaman on 26/03/2013 22:58:02
Is it possible to make a beam of energy from the power of magnet generators? If so is it possible to channel the frequency of this energy beam to repel or attract certain materials such as precious metals and such? If this is possible I'm sure it could be used not only to push and pull objects but it could be channeled for a powerful jet engine or maybe even a real life "hyperdrive". I figured if a mining laser is possible then these things won't be much further out of reach.

I was thinking if you can use a magnet generator to make a super powerful rail gun you'd surely be able to make a tractor beam or a mining laser... Basically channel the outer part of the beam to a cutting laser and the center of it a sort of altered magnetic force, altered by the vacuum of space that had been modified inside of machine. The problem is finding out how to alter the magnetic force and how to "contain" the vacuum of space.... Is it even possible? Nobody knows.... Or do they? Only time will tell.
Title: Re: Is it possible to create a "mining laser"?
Post by: evan_au on 27/03/2013 09:25:42
It is certainly possible to:
There are a few things that are still a challenge for our current technology:

Where this does prove useful is in outer space, where fuel is very expensive to transport, but you can get a moderate amount of energy from the Sun with solar cells. So you take a small amount of gas, turn it into a plasma and accelerate it through magnetic fields using a very high voltage. This produces a small, steady thrust, which builds to a useful velocity over a period of weeks and months - because in space there is no friction.

...but we are a long way from a practical magnetic mining machine.
Title: Re: Is it possible to create a "mining laser"?
Post by: Pmb on 27/03/2013 21:44:12
Quote from: techshaman
Is it possible to make a beam of energy from the power of magnet generators?
Can you explain what you mean by “power of magnet generators”?

Quote from: techshaman
If so is it possible to channel the frequency of this energy beam to repel or attract certain materials such as precious metals and such?
Not exactly. What can be done is to fire a laser at the ground. If the photons are energetic enough they will vaporize the material that the ground is made of and form a gas. The energy of the atoms in the gas makes the gas expand so that the vapor/gas produced will exhaust from the hole you’re digging. The laser has to be pulsed because the gas will be opaque to the photons and lessen the efficiency of the laser drill. While you can push things with a laser you can’t pull them.

Quote from: techshaman
If this is possible I'm sure it could be used not only to push and pull objects but it could be channeled for a powerful jet engine or maybe even a real life "hyperdrive". I figured if a mining laser is possible then these things won't be much further out of reach.
No.
Title: Re: Is it possible to create a "mining laser"?
Post by: Pmb on 27/03/2013 21:48:15
It is certainly possible to:
  • Use magnetic fields to generate electrical energy (this is the way most of our electricity is produced)
To be precise, a magnetic field is “utilized” to generate energy. By that I mean that work is done on a crack shaft (a torque is applied) moving a conductor through the magnetic field. The actual work being done on the charges is not from the magnetic field but from the electric field of which the conductors are created from. Energy can be stored in a magnetic field too.

I general, nice response!!! :)[/list]