| Home | Zero Point Energy: What is it? In a previous article on PLASMA I mentioned Zero Point energy. Zero Point Energy has been called ÒThe Ultimate Quantum Free LunchÓ but what is it? Many scientists arenÕt completely sure what Zero Point Energy (ZPE) is. Ê
In 1930 Nobel Prize winner Paul Dirac proposed that a vacuum was filled with particles of negative energy. This gave rise to the concept of a Òphysical vacuumÓ which isnÕt empty. In fact calculations of ZPEÕs energy show that a single cubic centimeter of so-called empty space contains more energy than all the matter in the known universe. In spite of this unbelievable power, it is in the lowest possible energy-state. That is why it is called Zero Point Energy. Quantum mechanics predicted that invisible particles would pop into existence and these particles would exert a force that is measurable. In 1948 Hendrik Casimir predicted the strength of this force, which was verified by an experiment using 2 non-conductive plates in a vacuum. This was known as the "Casimir Effect." Subsequently Lamoreaux used 2 gold plated conductive* plates attached to a torsion pendulum with less than 1 millimeter between them. Results matched CasimirÕs theory to within 5 %. This Casimir effects force is extremely powerful at small distances. It is independent of temperature. In the laboratory it is just as powerful at absolute Zero. It is filled with particles and waves that spontaneously pop in and out of existence. Picture a churning quantum foam throughout the universe, which even fills the empty space in atoms. This quantum foam of virtual particles is even believed to be a distortion of space/time itself.ÊÊ If infinite energy is potentially available is it any wonder that so much work is being done to make this energy available? Supporters of ZPE credit it with being able to do everything, while its opponents say it doesnÕt do any thing useful. But new discoveries extracting ZPE have been reported in The New York Tines, Science, The Physical Review, and other journals. Many patents have been issued for ZPE. The trick was to convert its energy into useable forms. NASA is seriously considering ZPE in developing a Space Drive. I predict when the OIL begins to run out, billions of dollars for research will suddenly materialize and weÕll find out if Zero point energy actually isÉ.
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