Wasted heat from combustion engines...

[alkemyst]

I dont really understand that. Is it based off of flip flop circuits and capicitors?

I am not sure the technologies, DoD uses them...they have reserve power and use the heat from the exhaust to power gps and surveillance.

 

[Mark R]

I dont really understand that. Is it based off of flip flop circuits and capicitors?

Probably uses a peltier device on the engine/exhaust, together with a backup rechargeable battery.

 

[Modelworks]

There are designs , classified designs, that use heat to boil a liquid (ammonia) that creates pressure. the pressure then passes through a valve that mechanically modulates the stream into pulses that contact a piezoelectric device to generate power. The liquid cools and the cycle repeats.

 

[ElFenix]

That would require some kind of scientific breakthrough.

the dude who invented the supersoaker has basically spent his fortune chasing a fuel-cell like heat engine with essentially 0 moving parts that would convert heat to electricity directly, rather than through mechanical means.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnson_thermoelectric_energy_converter

 

[greenhawk]

Well, you don't have to use air - but other gases will work.

True, but then the reply was more directed at the nuclear powered air plane. Using non-air based fuel for thrust in those situations means the "never need to land" of the plane becomes problematic.

 

[greenhawk]

There are designs , classified designs,

the basic part of that sounds similar to a design I remember seeing for a camping fridge that was based on a ammonia system and a small flame.

 

[disappoint]

From my minimal nuclear physics knowledge...

Uranium 238 is basically an exothermic decay process. The Alpha (hydrogen) and beta (electrons) expelling from the nucleus produce minimal "thrust."

Wow. Hydrogen and electrons expelling from a nucleus.

Were you expelled from physics class?

 

[TurtleCrusher]

Wow. Hydrogen and electrons expelling from a nucleus.

Were you expelled from physics class?

That's one serious nucleus.

 

[alkemyst]

the clitoris is a serious thing.

About what HT is becoming.