[math-fun] vactrain, ballistic transport
Considering the miserable USA cannot even create a conventional-wheeled high speed rail line (suitable straight-enough track too costly), it seems absurd to ask for a vactrain (way more costly, plus even greater straightness demands). The "ballistic" plan seems also absurd (high G forces, plus what if it misses the target a bit?). Maybe those who like these should consider the Jules Verne plan, where we tunnel straight thru the earth to Australia, evacuate tunnel, and then gravity supplies almost all necessary forces. "Simple." I believe that we're going to run out of fossil fuels whereupon fast cheap air transport may vanish forever. -- Warren D. Smith http://RangeVoting.org <-- add your endorsement (by clicking "endorse" as 1st step)
I predict that someone will figure out how to efficiently make synthetic fossil fuels using other forms of energy long before fossil fuels run out, but maybe not before global warming is out of control. I didn't realize we still had fast cheap air transport. --ms On 17-Aug-13 12:46, Warren D Smith wrote:
Considering the miserable USA cannot even create a conventional-wheeled high speed rail line (suitable straight-enough track too costly), it seems absurd to ask for a vactrain (way more costly, plus even greater straightness demands).
The "ballistic" plan seems also absurd (high G forces, plus what if it misses the target a bit?).
Maybe those who like these should consider the Jules Verne plan, where we tunnel straight thru the earth to Australia, evacuate tunnel, and then gravity supplies almost all necessary forces. "Simple."
I believe that we're going to run out of fossil fuels whereupon fast cheap air transport may vanish forever.
On 8/17/2013 3:24 PM, Mike Speciner wrote:
I predict that someone will figure out how to efficiently make synthetic fossil fuels using other forms of energy
But then we also need to generate energy in those other forms, e.g. liquid thorium reactors - but I don't see the will to invest in such things until fossil fuel "runs out" in the sense of becoming very expensive in EROI.
long before fossil fuels run out, but maybe not before global warming is out of control.
I didn't realize we still had fast cheap air transport.
We do. The TSA just won't let us get to it fast. Brent
There is a tremendous amount of current research into genetically modified organisms, particularly algae, that produce usable liquid fuel from photosynthesis. Yes, we need breeder reactors, both U-238 to Pu-239, and Th-232 to U-233. I trust that people who talk about "thorium reactors" appreciate that they are breeders. But this is looking ever less likely in the US thanks to a combination of the antinuclear movement and the public school system. It will require some crisis to get us back on track. -- Gene
________________________________ From: meekerdb <meekerdb@verizon.net> To: math-fun <math-fun@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Saturday, August 17, 2013 7:34 PM Subject: Re: [math-fun] vactrain, ballistic transport
On 8/17/2013 3:24 PM, Mike Speciner wrote:
I predict that someone will figure out how to efficiently make synthetic fossil fuels using other forms of energy
But then we also need to generate energy in those other forms, e.g. liquid thorium reactors - but I don't see the will to invest in such things until fossil fuel "runs out" in the sense of becoming very expensive in EROI.
long before fossil fuels run out, but maybe not before global warming is out of control.
I didn't realize we still had fast cheap air transport.
We do. The TSA just won't let us get to it fast.
Brent
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Let's go all futuristic: Step 1: Build a _huge_ fusion reactor, driven by gravitation, enough matter to even have the earth rotate around it! Radiation should be around one kilowatt per square meter on earth, for convenience including the spectrum seen by current life forms on earth. Suggest to have it about 149597870700 meters away from our planet. Step 2: develop machinery to convert said radiation into forms of energy convenient for us; we'd also likely need mechanisms to store energy. Both should _really_ be easy after step one is done. Science fiction? So trollish, jj * Eugene Salamin <gene_salamin@yahoo.com> [Aug 18. 2013 09:12]:
There is a tremendous amount of current research into genetically modified organisms, particularly algae, that produce usable liquid fuel from photosynthesis.
Yes, we need breeder reactors, both U-238 to Pu-239, and Th-232 to U-233. I trust that people who talk about "thorium reactors" appreciate that they are breeders. But this is looking ever less likely in the US thanks to a combination of the antinuclear movement and the public school system. It will require some crisis to get us back on track.
-- Gene
________________________________ From: meekerdb <meekerdb@verizon.net> To: math-fun <math-fun@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Saturday, August 17, 2013 7:34 PM Subject: Re: [math-fun] vactrain, ballistic transport
On 8/17/2013 3:24 PM, Mike Speciner wrote:
I predict that someone will figure out how to efficiently make synthetic fossil fuels using other forms of energy
But then we also need to generate energy in those other forms, e.g. liquid thorium reactors - but I don't see the will to invest in such things until fossil fuel "runs out" in the sense of becoming very expensive in EROI.
long before fossil fuels run out, but maybe not before global warming is out of control.
I didn't realize we still had fast cheap air transport.
We do. The TSA just won't let us get to it fast.
Brent
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participants (5)
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Eugene Salamin -
Joerg Arndt -
meekerdb -
Mike Speciner -
Warren D Smith