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"Science fiction writers, I am sorry to say, really do not know anything. We can't talk about science, because our knowledge of it is limited and unofficial, and usually our fiction is dreadful."
- Philip K. Dick
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| Diamagnetic Levitation | ||
| Levitation accomplished using magnetic field's interference with the motion of electrons orbiting the atoms or molecules of a material. |
Diamagnetism has been known since the early 19th century; the first experimental confirmation of diamagnetic levitation was done with bismuth in 1939. The technique also works with living creatures; a living frog was successfully levitated when placed in the bore of a Bitter solenoid with a field strength of about 16 Tesla (the magnetic field strength of the Earth varies from about .3 to .6 gauss at sea level; one Tesla equals 10,000 gauss).
| The ship rolled out of the hangar like an air-borne whale, moving slowly, its diamagnetized hull clearing the smooth-packed clay of the field by three inches. The ship came to a halt, pinpointed at the lip of a take-off pit. The diamagnetic field strengthened progressively towards the ship's prow and it began tipping upward. Terens was mercifully unaware of this as the pilot room turned on its universal gimbals to meet the shifting gravity. Majestically, the ship's rear flanges fitted into the appropriate grooves of the pit. It stood upright, pointing to the sky. |
| From The Currents of Space,
by Isaac Asimov. Published by Doubleday in 1962 Additional resources -
|
Diamagnetism occurs as a result of a magnetic field's interference with the motion of electrons orbiting the atoms or molecules of a material. When matter is placed in a magnetic field, the magnetic force acts upon the moving electrons in the matter, causing the electrons to be deflected. This movement of the electrons interferes with the motion of the magnetic field, so the atoms internally oppose the field. This causes the material to be slightly repelled by the magnetic field.
All materials demonstrate some degree of diamagnetism. Magnetic levitation occurs when the force on such an object is strong enough to balance the weight of the object itself. The technique of immersing an object in a liquid to enhance the diamagnetic effect is called "magneto-Archimedes" levitation, due to the buoyancy provided by the liquid.
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Tech news articles related to The Currents of Space
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Diamagnetic Levitation-related
news articles:
- Scientists Succeed At (Cryogenically Enhanced Magneto-Archimedes) Levitation
| Could Increased Space Rocketry Damage The Ozone Layer? |
| China Wants 'Hard Kill' Capability To Counter Starlink Satellites |
| MOOSE: Man Out Of Space Easiest or Manned Orbital Operations Safety Equipment |
| NASA 'Holoports' Doctor Onto Space Station |
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'... the lens displays would be useless without a wearable computer to do the graphics.'
'the registration number which the traffic control automatically photographed as she left the controlway...'
'It could maintain a steady six miles per hour...'
'Then they press one of these here thirteen buttons...'
'...without burning a single hydrocarbon molecule to injure the diseased atmosphere any further.'
'Bird-like robots now descended from the ceiling of the theatre...'
'The efficient robot waiter of the Sky Club had cleared away the remnants of an epicurean meal.'
'...in the tank the new body and the new mind and memory and life has taken almost instant form.'
