Future of Energy Sources A Challenge to Mans Inquisitiveness

Praveen Bhat

Department of Automation & Robotics

B.V.Bhoomaraddi College of Engg. & Tech.

Hubli.

(praveenbhat1.618practor@gmail.com)

Aniruddha Patil

Department of Mechanical Engg.

B.V.Bhoomaraddi College of Engg. & Tech.

Hubli.

(aniruddharpatil66@gmail.com)

Ashwin Kulkarni

Department of Mechanical Engg.

B.V.Bhoomaraddi College of Engg. & Tech.

Hubli.

(ashwa18k@gmail.com)

Abstract The world is on the brink of facing the major

energy crisis in the future. Energy is what drives us and the

systems, which make our life run smooth. In this paper, we try to

ponder upon various ideas for solving the energy crisis problem.

Here, we combine the advancement in nanotechnology,

astrophysics, nuclear physics and superconductivity, to try to

harness clean, pure and mainly free energy and upon the means

of conducting the available energy, in an effective manner.

Keywords Energy crisis, Casimir-Dark Energy, Nanoreactors,cold-fusion,photosynthesis, graphenes,

superconductors, graphenes, quantum dots.

I. INTRODUCTION

The history of man is linked inextricably with the energy. It

may be slightly unfashionable today to imply that progress and

energy go hand-in-hand, yet it needs but little reflection to see

that when man was destined to spend his life grubbing a living

from the land, working every daylight hour of his life,

civilization as we know it was impossible.

The fossil fuels, peat, coal, shale-oil, natural gas and

petroleumto name the significant oneswere all laid down many millions of years ago. They are almost certainly still

being formed, although it is probable that peat and coal are

today produced at a much slower rate than when the world

was young. Today we are using fossil fuels at an incomparably

greater rate than they were being formed, it is as though past

generations had built up a large bank account which we are

now prodigally spending and must eventually exhaustor, to be more accurate, reduce to the point where the laws of supply

and demand will make it uneconomic to exploit except in

special circumstances.

In the following paper, we try to explore some of

budding ideas of man for solving the energy crisis, ranging

from biotechnology to astrophysics. Some of them have been

explored quite well and some of them still continue to be on

paper. Both ways, they may, in future, prove to be worth

anything. Since, without energy, there cannot be existence for

any.

II. TWO FOLD APPROACH FOR SOLVING THE ENERGY CRISIS

There are many predictions about the future energy sources, in literature and science. Here, while presenting before you about the solution for energy crisis, we take into our consideration, only the ideas which have been approved by scientific community.

We believe, that there can be a two way approach for energy crisis. One, by inventing new means of energy and another one, by inventing new ways to conduct the energy produced by the already available, current sources; without any wastage.

In exploring the first way, i.e. inventing new sources of energy, we consider the fields of astrophysics, nuclear physics and biotechnology. The another way mainly considers the nanotechnology and the advent of Graphene.

III. NEW SOURCES:NEW POSSIBILITIES?

A. On Casimir-Dark Energy :Source of Zero-point energy

Two mirrors placed a few nanometers apart in a vacuum

experience an attractive force. This so-called Casimir effect is

a consequence of how the mirrors perturb fluctuations of the

vacuuma state that, because of quantum mechanics, is far from being empty and instead teems with fleeting

electromagnetic waves. The electromagnetic Casimir

interaction has been widely documented in experiments, but

the phenomenon could, in principle, occur for any quantized

field. If gravity truly has a quantum nature, then gravitational

waves should also generate Casimir-like forces as they pop in

and out of the vacuum. Casimir effect can be expressed in

terms of virtual particles interacting with the objects, it is best

described and more easily calculated in terms of the zero-point

energy of a quantized field in the intervening space between

the objects. [1]

Figure. 1 Casimir effect-when two mirrors face each other in a vacuum, fluctuations in the vacuum exert radiation pressure on them. On average the external pressure (red arrows) is greater than the internal pressure (green

arrows). Both mirrors are mutually attracted to each other by what is termed the Casimir force. The force F~A/d 4, where A is the area of the mirrors and d

is the distance between them.

For more than years, the Casimir effect was little more than the theoretical curiosity. But, the recent researches have shown that it can be measured with accuracy and can be a valid applicant to the till now unsolved mystery of Dark energy.

Based on E-infinity Cantorian space-time theory, it was recently argued, that the Casimir effect is a local manifestation of the quantum wave while dark energy is the global manifestation of the same [2].The theory and consequently the actual design depends crucially upon the equivalence between the dark energy density of the cosmos and the faint local Casimir effect produced by two sides boundary condition quantum waves. This Casimir effect is then colossally amplified as a one sided quantum wave pushing from the inside against the Mobius-like boundary with nothing balancing it from the non-existent outside. In view of our theory, this is essentially what led to the observed accelerated expansion of the cosmos. As in any reactor, the basic principle in the present design is to produce a gradient so that the excess energy on one side flows to the other side. Thus in principle we will restructure the local topology of space using material nanoscience technology to create an artificial local high dimensionality with a Dvoretzky theorem like volume measure concentration. Without going into the intricate nonlinear dynamics and technological detail, it is fair to say that this would be pure, clean, free energy obtained directly from the topology of space-time. Needless to say the entire design is based completely on the theory of quantum wave dark energy. [3]

We presently have, in embryonic form, the main idea of constructing a Nano universe and extracting dark energy from its nano boundary of its holographic boundary. Our program to actually extract energy from such a nano reactor may still need five or more years but the road is marked and reasonably clear. It is only at the edge of the universe that 96% of the energy resides as dark energy. However we could create many nano universes from which its 96% energy concentration could be

extracted without actually reaching to the boundary of our universe. [4-7]

From the preceding elementary reasoning it is clear that, we can move from theory to useful, practical application, as nothing could be more important and pressing than building a free energy reactor, based on real science rather than wishful thinking.

.

B. Cold fusion- The coolest relative of fission!

We have seen the concept of Arc reactors in the Ironman

movies. So, what is the driving force of that 3 Gigajoule per second producing device? Can it be cold fusion? The technology for making the fusion reactor possible, is not yet

achieved, at least not completely; since, it requires

temperature near to 109 kelvin. Tokamaks are one of the few

devices which make this happen using the magnetic

confinement and the research is still going on about making it

possible in a more feasible way.

Cold fusion actually refers to making a hypothetical type

of nuclear reaction that would occur at, or near, room

temperature, compared with temperatures in the millions of

degrees that are required for "hot" fusion, which takes place

naturally within stars.

Meanwhile, a scientist in China proposed the following

idea for making the cold fusion reactor possible: Setting the

specific combination of the electromagnetic field of the space

in the room temperature within the vacuum duct, linear from

0.6 to 1 million volts electrostatic particle accelerator

according to the intrinsic magnetic moment and the internal

electric field of the light nuclei, recycling light nuclei intrinsic

spin moment of momentum vector formed near the speed of

light spin characteristics of super-strong rotation gyro inertial

guidance, to overcome the bias of the Coulomb strong barrier

repulsion, active guidance aimed at directly hit fusion.[8]

We think that, besides this, we could also use, if there

exists a material with high deuterium concentration, very

tightly bound electrons, and a very high energy metastable

state of deuterium. These conditions ate presented

quantitatively. Legett and Baym (LB) rigorously proved that

the fusion rate, even enhanced by large many-body

suppression of the Coulomb barrier between deuterons, is still

at least 27 orders of magnitude below the one experimentally

claimed. [9]

C. Biotechnology and Energy

From the days of our primary school, we have known that

photosynthesis is the technique in which plants manufacture

their food. The days are not far away, that we mimic the

technique, at large scale, to produce energy in future. The

recent research in artificial photosynthesis, in which we

emulate the process used by nature to capture energy from the

sun and convert it into electrochemical energy, is expected to

be a major asset in any sustainable energy portfolio for the

future.

A key to realizing commercial-scale artificial

photosynthesis technology is the development of

electrocatalysts that can efficiently and economically carry out

water oxidation reaction that is critical to the process. Heinz

Frei, a chemist with Berkeley Labs Physical Biosciences Division, has been at the forefront of this research effort.

Figure. 2 Nano-sized crystals of cobalt oxide, an Earth-abundant catalyst,

have been shown to be able to effectively carry out the critical photosynthetic reaction of splitting water molecules. Photo by Roy Kaltschmidt, Berkeley Lab. [10]

The oxidation of water to molecular oxygen is a four-electron process involving multiple steps, Frei says. Weve obtained the first direct, temporally resolved observation of two intermediate steps in water oxidation using an Earth-abundant solid catalyst, cobalt oxide that allowed us to identify the kinetic bottlenecks. With this knowledge, we can devise and design improvements on the cobalt oxide catalyst and its support environment to partially or completely remove these bottlenecks and improve the efficiency of water oxidation.

In an artificial photosynthetic system, the oxidation of water molecules into oxygen, electrons and protons (hydrogen ions) provides the electrons needed to produce liquid fuels from carbon dioxide and water. This requires a catalyst that is both efficient in its use of solar photons and fast enough to keep up with solar flux in order to avoid wasting those photons. It should also be robust and affordable on a large-scale. Five years ago, a study led by Frei identified cobalt oxide in the form of single crystal nanoparticles as an excellent candidate for meeting the challenge. However, realizing the full catalytic potential of cobalt oxide nanocrystals requires a better understanding of the individual events in the four-electron cycle of water oxidation.

To provide this understanding, Frei, working with Miao Zhang and Moreno de Respinis, used a spectroscopic technique known as rapid-scan Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. [10]

IV. WHO WILL CARRY THE ENERGY?

The sources mentioned above are either in infancy or still at theoretical stage. So, if we have to solve the problem soon, what can be our options? How about conserving the energy, while it is been conducted? Here, we confront the problem of superconductivity. We think that, the recent advancements in nanotechnology provide us with at least some of the solutions.

A. Graphene: Journey from cello tape to being Superconductor

Graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms arranged is a honeycomb pattern, is the thinnest and strongest known material and a great conductor of electricity, among other remarkable properties. Scientists hope to eventually use it to make very fast transistors, sensors and even transparent electrodes. The classic way to make graphene is by peeling atomically thin sheets from a block of graphite, a form of pure carbon thats familiar as the lead in pencils. But scientists can also isolate these carbon sheets by chemically interweaving graphite with crystals of pure calcium. The result, known as calcium intercalated graphite or CaC6, consists of alternating one-atom-thick layers of graphene and calcium. The discovery that CaC6 is superconducting set off a wave of excitement: Did this mean graphene could add superconductivity to its list of accomplishments? But in nearly a decade of trying, researchers were unable to tell whether CaC6s superconductivity came from the calcium layer, the graphene layer or both.

Figure. 3 Calcium atoms (orange spheres) between graphene planes (blue honeycomb) creates a superconducting material called CaC6.

Adding calcium atoms (orange spheres) between graphene planes (blue honeycomb) creates a superconducting material called CaC66. Now a study at SLAC has shown for the first time that graphene is a key player in this superconductivity: Electrons scatter back and forth between the graphene and calcium layers, interact with natural vibrations in the materials atomic structure and pair up to conduct electricity without resistance. [11]

B. Quantum Dots: The quantum leap of Nanotechnology

Found in the newest LCD TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony and others, quantum dots hold the promise of better color reproduction, better energy efficiency, and more.

A quantum dot is a semiconductor nanostructure that confines the motion of conduction band electrons, valence band holes, or excitons (bound pairs of conduction band electrons and valence band holes) in all three spatial directions.

Advances in nanofabrication techniques have made it possible to make devices in which superconducting electrodes are connected to non-superconducting nanostructures such as quantum dots. The properties of these hybrid devices result from a combination of a macroscopic quantum phenomenon involving large numbers of electrons (superconductivity) and the ability to control single electrons, offered by quantum dots. Here we review research into electron transport and other fundamental processes that have been studied in these devices. We also describe potential applications, such as a transistor in which the direction of a supercurrent can be reversed by adding just one electron to a quantum dot. [12]

Figure. 4 Scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of a SQUID device made of Ti/Al (grey), which becomes superconducting below ~1 K. Each arm of the superconducting ring contains a break that is bridged by an InAs nanowire (blue). [12]

V. CONCLUSION

May it be a nanoreactor to harness the dark energy of

space-time topology or a quantum dot to conduct the available

energy efficiently, all are the consequences of mans urge to invent and discover new things to make his life easier. During the past few years, there has been such remarkable progress made

in so many sciences, and this progress has resulted in such

remarkable applications, that the public can easily be made to

believe there are no restrictions on what we may yet expect.

There is no question but what the most effective argument now

being used against further research work, in many instances, is

the argument that there are revolutionary improvements just around the corner and that all of this expenditure in time and money will be for nought. Attempts to conserve what are now

known to be our sources of energy are resisted on the ground that

there is no need to conserve them because science will find a

substitute before these resources are exhausted. Every scientist

knows that the tendency of Nature is to bring all energy to zero

potentiality.

So as long as the sun continues to shine we shall not be without the power to create all the energy we shall need, but

nobody knows exactly what it will cost us to produce these

sources energy or the means of carrying them. The problem will

be at all times simply the cost of getting energy directly from

some easier source where the cost and wastage are less and

continue to pose challenge to mans inquisitiveness.

REFERENCES

[1] A. Lambrecht, The Casimir effect: a force from nothing, Physics World,

September 2002.

[2] Mohamed S. El Naschie: Three quantum particles Hardy entanglement from the topology of Cantorian-fractal spacetime and the Casimir effect as dark energy A great opportunity for nanotechnology. American Journal of Nano Research and Applications, 2015, 3(1).

[3] Mohamed S. El Naschie: Casimir-like energy as a double Eigenvalue of quantumly entangled system leading to the missing dark energy density of the cosmos. International Journal of High Energy Physics, 2014, 1(5), pp. 55-63.

[4] M Mohamed S. El Naschie: The measure concentration of convex geometry in a quasi Banach spacetime behind the supposedly missing dark energy of the cosmos. American Journal of Astronomy & Astrophysics, 2014, 2(6), pp. 72-77.

[5] M. Slezak: Quantum wave function gets real. New Scientist, 7th February, 2015, pp. 14.

[6] Mohamed S. El Naschie: Dark energy and its cosmic density from Einsteins relativity and gauge fields renormalization leading to the possibility of a new tHooft quasi particle. The Open Astronomy Journal, 2015, 8, pp. 1-17.

[7] Mohamed S. El Naschie: Banach spacetime-like Dvoretzky volume concentration as cosmic holographic dark energy. International Journal of High Energy Physics, 2015, 2(1), pp. 13-21.

[8] Cold nuclear fusion reactor patent application CN200910129632.7 Huang Zhenqiang 2009.

[9] A.J. Leggett and G. Baym, Nature 340..._.4_,5 (1989), and Phys. Rev. Lett. 63__, 191 (1989).

[10] Time-resolved observations of water oxidation intermediates on a cobalt oxide nanoparticle catalyst Miao Zhang, Moreno de Respinis & Heinz Frei. Nature Chemistry 6, 362367 (2014).

[11] S. L. Yang et al. Nature Communications, 20 March 2014 (10.1038/ncomms4493)

[12] Hybrid superconductorquantum dot devices Silvano De Franceschi, Leo Kouwenhoven, Christian Schnenberger & Wolfgang Wernsdorfer. Nature Nanotechnology 5, 703711 (2010).