1

New Theories / .Manimals : Should we make them ?

« on: 21/02/2019 01:49:08 »

.........Intelligent Manimals !
Should we genetically engineer them up ?  To what end , and for what purpose ?  In addition to being better pet-companions , they may also be useful in law enforcement , and the military .  Lastly , I will include medical-use ; transgenic animals , body-part growing , and head-carrying animals , as a sub-category .
..Objective analyses sought .

P.M.

2

Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Does structural integrity vary proportionately with relativistic mass?

« on: 01/02/2019 09:02:16 »

...Relativistic Mass versus Structural Integrity .  What is the relationship ?  Specifically , as the rate of time passage varies , how goes structural integrity ?
P.M.

3

New Theories / Speculation on “Can you ride a gravitational wave?”

« on: 10/12/2018 03:59:10 »

...........Reply #17 - Colin 2b
Take the principles laid out here .  Now imagine ~infinitely hard , extremely light , flat waves bobbing up and down extremely fast .  One intercepts a heavier , ~infinitely hard , unmoving particle .  The highly-oblique angle of interception knocks the particle forward at great speed , while the waves bobbing (oscillating) motion is instantly reduced and reversed .  This interaction is very similar to many billiard-ball collisions , but is actually representative of photon/electron collisions .  Since light is throw-away imitation matter , it could be possible to create a recoil/thrust imbalance , and thus ride an electro-magnetic wave , in place of the impossible-to-use gravity wave .
Surf it , Franklin !
P.M.

4

New Theories / Reactionless Drives Possible ?

« on: 08/11/2018 01:49:51 »

Are Reactionless Drives really , physically possible ?  Argument is put forth here that , contrary to popular belief , they actually , genuinely are .  Though the engineering of Norman Dean proved fruitless , the equivalence principle of Albert Einstein  (E=MC2) made the possibility of producing thrust through uni-directional elimination/conversion of energy a credible concept .  As with airplanes , what once seemed absurd is now most definitely possible .
Pro and con views welcome .
P.M.
*Note-For additional discussion of this subject , go to NSF thread : Discussion on Reactionless Drive (extracted) .

5

Technology / Are heavier-than-air hybrid airships a good idea?

« on: 28/09/2018 05:14:17 »

       Heavier than air Airships
 Are these a good idea ?  It is hereby put forth that they are .  Slightly heavier than air , lifting-body airships could be extremely fuel efficient , extremely quiet & comfortable , extremely controll-able , extremely safe , and extremely convenient as well .  The very-low thrust requirement means that extremely efficient , alternative fuel drivetrains can be used . Traveling directly from city-core to city-core would become entirely practical , as would close-up , directly over-head eco-tourism .  Both mech-anical malfunction , and terror-strike , would be greatly reduced in terms of the danger they posed to the passengers & crew of these craft .  Their physical performance , and avionics , would be good enough to keep them well away from any bad weather that might head their way .  Travel times would be comparable to those for general aviation , or helicopters . 
Overall , modern technology ensures that these airships would realize the potential that their 20th century predecessors evidenced so long ago .
The preposition here is that changing societal needs call for changing technological archi-tectures and paradigms .  HTA. airships could fulfill many 21st century needs beautifully . 
That's all for now , folks !...P.M.
Addendum : The optimum HTA. Lifting-Body would APPEAR to be a cross-sectional Burnoulli-Body , with no tail , just V-T .

6

Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / What spun-down the inner planets ?

« on: 25/09/2018 23:13:32 »

          Planetary Spin-down
 What reduced the rotation rate of the inner planets ?  We know that the Moon is primarily responsible for Earth's slowing , but what about Mercury , Venus , and Mars ?  All must have started with a rapid rotation rate.   Something(s) braked their spin .  If it was powerful solar-tidal effects , how is the Earth still spinning fast , when Lunar-tidal forces are much stronger ?  Some other effect is at work ; an  extremely strong , and long-lasting effect . It must be crustal rigidity .  Dry planetary crusts & mantles are much more resistant to deformation than wet ones , therefore they resist it much more .  This converts tidal bulging into heat , by way of more tidal drag .  Mars is less dry , but more cold (frozen) .  Similar effect .  Planetary surfaces therefore profoundly affect planetary rotation rates .
Critiques please ......P.M.

7

Technology / What is the optimal battlefield attack aircraft?

« on: 21/09/2018 16:52:41 »

      Best A-10 Replace. Design
 The optimum battlefield attack aircraft would have excellent performance , good efficiency , and great survivability . The A-10 Warthog has been the best example of this type aircraft in the modern era .  Bringing the characteristics & capabilites of the " Tank Buster " forward into the 21st century , while greatly improving them , is a significant design & engineering challenge .  The proposal put forth here uses several planform & propulsion system modifications to achieve these design goals , plus adds in the capability of fully loaded VTOL flight .  All of these while retaining a similar speed regime to the Warthog . 
 The key to this design architecture is the free-turbine concept .  Used for decades now in many industrial and military applications , the free-turbine is a proven technology , with many variations & derivations still unexplored & undeveloped .  The proposal herein is to use the free-turbine effect to provide seperate & segmented power for the aircraft propulsors .  A single yet powerful turbine power plant embedded in the aircraft fuselage , can duct  hi-pressure exhaust through 4 short/stout wings ( Dragonfly configuration ) to 4 seperate hi-perf. ducted-fan units .  Each unit rotatable from 90° thru -20° attack angle . When at 90° ( parallel to ground ) the two ducts would conjoin , with a slanted interface , for stability .  The contra-rotating fans then give superior level-flight performance , with no chance of engine damage from bullets or shrapnel .  The engine-core would sit in a protective trough within the fuselage , invisible to infrared detectors .  Should a fan be stricken , automatic cut-off valves would seal off that tube , thus maintaining pressure to the other fans . 
 A small V-tail would aid stability,  while a flat-panel , transparent-aluminum " knife-head " cockpit would protect the pilot from both birds & projectiles .  A passive , lean-back G-Couch could greatly increase Max.G-Load , while shrinking minimum turn radius . 
 Some/all applications could forego wheel assemblages , using skids instead to reduce weight , increase internal volume  and reduce maintenance and procurement cost and labor requirements . 
 This aircraft could easily be based on Naval capital ships , and transport vessels as well . A net-capture , and lightweight bunker system would seem optimal here , as VTOL  maneuv-erability & compactness would be well above those of the large helicopters previously used . 
 Alright , there you have it folks , 
The " I live , we win ! " plane !
 
Your critiques are welcome ..P.M
 

8

Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?

« on: 18/09/2018 03:39:47 »

     Do Red-Dwarfs eat Rock.s ?
 Do red-dwarf stars tend to draw in , and ingest , their close-in rocky planets ? The answer , surprisingly , appears to be yes !  The mechanisms for such a draw-down appear to be both tidal-gravitational , and magnetic in nature . They mainly affect the closer in bodies , but since they are all tidally conjoined and synchronized , lowering one orbit lowers them all ( slowly ) .  It is stellar rotation that does the job.  If is fast ( Trappist1 ) then the stellar influence upholds the inner planet's orbits , while allowing further out planets to descend into resonant orbits with them .  If the stellar rotation is slow ( Proxima , Ross 128 ) , then the magnetic and tidal drag spirals the close-in planets into the red-dwarf , leaving only further out rocky worlds . 
 It is suggested here that a standard be established for the likelihood of planets around red-dwarf stars. Such should include stellar mass , rotation period , and age , as well as lithium presence . 
 P.M.
. Addendum-Modelling indicates that ALL stars slow their spin over time .  The above forces have greater effect upon more massive & luminous stars ; slowing them preferentially. Less appreciated , however , is the effect of photon-momentum transfer upon these stars .  The approaching side of the star emits higher-energy photons , than the receding side .  Over time , the greater recoil engendered by this , acts to slow the star's rotation .  Heavier , and much brighter stars , will be slowed much more quickly than dimmer stars , by this effect .  Once adequately slowed , these stars will begin to tidally slow their planet's revolutions , thus drawing them in , and eventually ingesting them .
 

9

New Theories / What is the best spaceship design?

« on: 16/09/2018 03:11:04 »

   Optimum Spaceship Design ?
 Let the assumption be that we have developed an effective Impulse Drive .  Not a rocket , not an ion thruster , but a powerful & efficient , nuclear-powered , drive mechanism . This being the case we can presume peak travel velocities in excess of 1 million miles per hour .  Although such a ship can afford to carry adequate radiation shielding for the job , interplanetary dust and debris pose a lethal danger .  At full speed , one pea-sized rock would impact a ship with more explosive power than a stick of dynamite .  Such an impact would punch through blunt shielding , wrenching the ship badly , and spraying deadly shrapnel through it's interior .  To prevent this , a different type of shield is necessary .  The most effective design would be a long cone .  This would be slightly wider than the ship , and held ahead of the ship by flexible mounts .  Constructed mainly of high-tech , impact-absorbing materials , it would be coated with a thick  layer of iron sand , contained within an aluminum skin .  The resultant composite effect would absorb tremendous  energy , and yet be reasonably light .
 The ship proper would be a long, thin , pencil-like design . In other words ; a Needle-Ship .  The crew working & living spaces would be directly behind the cone .  The supplies & auxiliary craft would be next , the Impulse Drive machinery would be after that , and the Reactors ( w/minimal shielding ) would be last .
Electric thrusters would arranged about the ship for fine attitude control .  Heat radiators , solar panels , antennas , etc. would all be arranged strategically on the ship exterior. 
 The final requirement would be the trajectory .  In order to minimize in-flight impacts , the ship would need to follow a parabolic trajectory , rising up above the plane of the ecliptic .  This would place the high-speed portion of it's course above 99% of possible impactors .
 A ship of this type would benefit from full recycling of organic waste products .  Pre-positioning of LNG would also improve capability .  A two-ship formation would magnify safety and redundancy , and possibly allow for tethered , centripetal gravity as well .
 Alright , this would kick 2001s Odyssey all over the place !
 Enjoy your new spaceship ! .P.M.

10

New Theories / How do proto-planets form?

« on: 15/09/2018 03:34:40 »

           Planetary Formation
   Why are planets so different ?
Why are planet.systems "         " ?
 Consider the initial conditions :
An interstellar gas & dust cloud , of variable mass , chemistry , temperature , etc. , undergoes gravitational collapse .  It inevitably forms an accretion disk .  A central body collects , and grows .  The heat of compression makes this gas-body glow red-hot .  IF this body grows massive enough , nuclear fusion begins in the core .  The non-nuclear bodies continue to accrete gas & dust , with proto-planetary bodies forming within their accretion disks .  The high-temperature radiation pressure preferentially drives lighter elements further out in the disks, while the heavier elements sink through the disk , settling in much closer to the central body .  This results in the inner proto-planets accumulating more heavy elements , and less lighter ones .  The outer proto-planets accumulate the opposite proportions .  The nuclear central bodies eventually become much hotter , reaching extreme temperatures even as the non-nuclear gas-bodies cool down .  This pushes their gas & dust much further out .  Lower gas/radiation pressures there , combined with greater gas & dust infall , allow the formation of gas giant  planets , along with widely-spaced rock/ice planets .  Proto-red dwarf stars rarely fulfill the conditions needed for gas giants  but do engender mini-Neptunes .  More of their hydrogen & helium are released to interstellar space by their weak gravity , but more of their heavier elements are retained , their much more dense accretion disks forming close-in , rocky-type planets .  The caveat here is that early in the red-dwarf  formation process , the lower temperatures would have allowed metal grains & droplets to sink through the accretion disk , onto the proto-star .  This effect would have been magnified by the powerful , nearby , stellar-magnetic field .  The consequence of this would be a proportionally lower metals content in the satellites of the red-dwarf/Jovian central body .  They would begin with a massive  volatiles complement , but heavy red-dwarf radiation-stripping would wittle these down over time , especially closer to the star .  "Jovian" satellites would not experience this , but would experience tidal-heating .  This also would induce loss of volatiles to space , especially closer to the gas giant .
 The take-away here is that there is a satellite formation process , akin to many distillation processes .  The primary factors affecting satellite system dimensions & characteristics are
A.- Initial formation-cloud mass .
B.- I.C. chem. composition .
C.- Cloud infall rate & timing .
D.- Proto-star mass & luminosity.
E.- Proto-star ignition timing .
F.- Collision & migration history .
 The conclusion is that this formation process is a constant continuum , ranging from Jovian-type central bodies , all of the way through the stellar sequence.  Although it is consistent , a multiple star-system origin can interfere with the process profoundly .  If the subject system is then gravitationally ejected , it may appear to be anomalously developed . 
 Alright , all wood-fires produce ashes .  The fires of the universe produce ashes too , and those make the craziest clumps !
 Adios , peoples !............P.M.

11

New Theories / Can cancers be treated by burning them with a hot probe?

« on: 12/09/2018 02:35:11 »

     Cancer Treatment Strategy
 New approach ; cook it in-situ !
Radiation does not kill all of it , chemotherapy does not kill all of it , laser-therapy does not kill all of it , electro-therapy does not kill all of it , even cryotherapy does not kill all of it .  Only a precisely placed , electrically-powered , burn-hot needle-bulb can actually cook 100% of the cells in a target area .  The key is constant identification of small tumors , and immediate out-patient cooking of them .  If this strategy is pursued relentlessly , the nascent mini-tumors will never get big enough to cause serious damage .  The additional use of immunotherapy will usually be the nail in the cancer's coffin . 
 The war on cancer must be fought for complete victory , not as a business , where highly-paid professionals make a rich living keeping cancer down , but not out .  For the sake of the human beings dying here , the paradigm must be broken , & modernised .
 Chase this enemy down , kill him where he lies .  Never let him gather strength , then he cannot really hurt you ! 
 Alright , made a sensitive point .
Adios ,  P.M.

12

Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology / Spinosaurus : What was it?

« on: 10/09/2018 13:54:37 »

    Spinosaurus : Monster Cat ?
Did this thing live like a T.Rex , an otter , perhaps a seal ?  I put it to you that Spino was a gigantic  analog to a fishing cat , with the Jaguar being the best example  .  Spino.s legs were modest in length , and flat-footed .They were adapted both for running down prey while on mud & sand , and for swimming after it when necessary .  The legs were long enough to hold Spino.s body above the water when he was running through ponds & rivers in pursuit of prey .  The long arms & claws were for grabbing and holding struggling prey .  The crooked jaw was for holding and lifting heavy , slippery fish & crocodilians . The tail functioned much like a crocodiles whenever Spino. swam , and like a raptor's when he ran .  Last , but not least  was coloration .  Spino.s coloration was camouflage to fit his environment . His entire body , thin hump included , was sand-colored .  This fit the sandhill and dune terrain of N.Africa 100mya.  Whether stalking or resting , Spino needed to remain hidden from both competitors and prey .  Anything spotting a 60ft. long raptor is going to react .  This is also why Spino's skin was smooth , although hydrodynamic  effects counted somewhat . 
 The last puzzle here , is that thin hump .  The bone structure was similar to a bison , camel , or woolly-rhino hump , but disproportionately taller .  There were several likely functions  that the hump served :
A.- Fish attractor : Fish love both structure & shadow , easy meat !
B.- Fish chaser : Disc-shaped fish are more agile than straight ones
C.- Fish storage : Nutrition and water storage for lean times .
D.- Profile breaker : A sand-dune amongst sand-dunes .
E.- Upright.counter-balance : Body up front , hump in back .
Okay, weirdo dino. explained !
P.M.
Note : Spinosaurus' appearance stands in stark contrast to it's later , wading , analog Deinocheirus . This walking/wading , fish+water plant-eating dino , had a rough/thick insulating coat , colored black .Their arms+claws were also camo black . Their  deep , duckbill-like maw , was a dull-beige color . They did not crouch , but walked upright , much like wading birds of today. Functionally , this creature was much like an omnivorous heron , or perhaps , a stork .
Addendum : The two creatures DID share one outstanding feature ; their sizeable humps .  These massive protrusions acted as balance-weights for the animals , so that they could stand and/or run as needed , without falling forward , right onto their faces .  Deinocheirus had a straighter stance than Spinosaurus , so it needed less counterweighting .  Spino. had a tilted-forward stance , so it needed more .  Modern animals do not evidence this strategy ; the closest analog would be the Australian Kangaroo .  These marsupials have an unusually heavy tail , which acts as a counter-balance when they bound along at speed .

13

Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Trappist 1 : Water-worlds or not ?

« on: 09/09/2018 15:54:16 »

    Egomen , start yer go-carts !
 Lately , certain esteemed "Astronomy Domine" researchers have been claiming that the the Trappist1 worlds are wrapped in
extremely thick water shells . My response is "Don't you believe it!" .  Developmentally , red-dwarf systems are close cousins to Jovian systems . Their dimensions , planetary mass-ratios , orbital characteristics , etc. , are all basically Jovian , writ heavy .  The immediate implication is that the compositions are ( were ) Jovian  also .  Formed with massive volatile shells , most of their original complement has been lost to red-dwarf radiation-stripping .  Those further out lost less , but still only retain a fraction of their original volume .  These planets now have low-densities not because of an excess of water , but because of a dearth of metals .  Both Mars and Luna are close by analogs of this type of rocky world . 
 Giant telescopic arrays may be able to image exoplanet surfaces , but only spectroscopy  will show how much leached-out salt is in the oceans .  Combined with age , this could indicate total oceanic volume , and thus oceanic depth.  Partial, and full , glaciation could greatly obscure such measurements . 
Alright , I let off some steam! P.M
 

14

New Theories / Can an Impulse Engine be made?

« on: 06/09/2018 02:11:02 »

Can an Impulse Engine be made.
 In a nutshell , yes !  The real question is ; can a strong , extremely high ISP ( above 50K ) reaction engine , be built ?  No nuclear-thermal , or ion engines , fit the bill .  They fall short on at least one count .  Nuclear- explosion engines  ( including pellet ) are impractical , & fusion is a pipe dream .  What is needed is a nuclear-mechanical drive .  This would be a nuclear-powered  high pressure system , fielding 1 million psi.+ , & yielding exhaust velocities approaching 1M mph ! The pressure-chamber would be held at 250°F .  This would keep the methane liquid, but the metal strong . Solar power& capacitors could be used , but compact nuclear reactors would be much more powerful & effective .  High power/efficiency would enable much more shielding , & much shorter transit times .  Very long electro-thermal  exhaust pipes would magnify the exhaust velocity. Coiled versions would work for SSTO shuttles .  This propulsion architecture would give mankind the Solar system right off the bat . 
As the cartoon character used to say ; " Oh Magoo , you've done it again ! ".                P.M. 

15

Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology / Which of these marine monsters would win in a fight?

« on: 04/09/2018 19:12:24 »

How do the top marine monsters stack up to each other ?
I shall consider six cow gulpers as my contenders . 
All matches are "Cage Matches" ; held in a smallish bay .
First up is the " Man with a bat ! ", Aust Colossus  : 90 feet long , bite-tooth-less , flat-bodied , but with a club on his head for ram-beating his prey to death . 
Edged out by giant Mosasaur : 
60 ft. long , heavy lizard body w/ -eel-like tail for power-twisting . Monstrous triangle-shaped maw , a box-like skull for horrific twist-offs , superior agility and smarts.
Edged out by Basilosaurus :
70 ft. long , heavier , smarter, and w/ better endurance/metabolism
Beaten solidly by Megalodon :
60 ft. long , much heavier , much better armed , possessing extra-powerful , cookie-cutter bite .  Uses wound , and wait , strategy .
Edged out by Ultra Kronosaurus :
..."Vengeance from the Deep" , jaw kept at University of Oxford . Killer of Monster of Arrumberri .
60+ ft. long , bite power : close to Megalodon , bite depth : 2 x Meg. , teeth : bone-shattering 14" railroad spikes ; effect of bite : Long , flexible head/neck gives  first-bite . The agile power-head , exposes opponent's guts on 1st good bite .
 Agility : Superior to Meg. , Endurance/Metabolism: superior to Meg., Intelligence : superior to Meg.
 Beaten by Livyatan MelvillI :
Almost 80 ft. of heavy muscle .
All of U.K. advantages writ large EXCEPT offensive agility .  This counter-balanced by much superior intelligence using equal defensive agility .  The whale's sonic shockwave weapon would confuse & disorient it's opponent , it's ship-sinking ram would rupture said opponent's organs . These two weapons giving it the opportunity to use it's skull-severing bite , almost at will .
Finally , the bronco-buck of this behemoth would amputate the Appalachian Mountains !
As Bill Duke said in Predator 1 ,
 " NO CHANCE  !! " .
 Alright , Ding-freaking-Ding !
...   P.M.

16

New Theories / Discussion on Reactionless drive (extracted)

« on: 23/08/2018 18:34:45 »

RE: Alan Calverd
I would like to hear your take on Thermal Mass .  This being the increase in invariant mass caused by significantly raised or lowered temperature .  It is a tiny , but measurable difference .  This means that raising & lowering the temp. of a free-piston in an engine could give you a weak , but extant , reactionless drive .  Whoa , Unnecessary Zoom !  Unnecessary Zoom ! 
Now my head won't fit through the door dagnabbit !
Otay , need wood saw . Bye , PM.
*Note-The main body of this discussion is located on NSF thread : Reactionless Drive possible ?