In the lab The word “spintronics” (short for “spin electronics”) refers to
devices that take advantage of electrons' quantum property called “spin.”
Electrons don't actually spin around an axis, although in many ways they may
behave as if they do. More familiar is the electron's quantum property of
“negative charge”: Moving charge creates electrical current.
Electron spin has two possible states, either “up” or “down.” Aligning spins
in a material creates magnetism. Moreover, magnetic fields affect the passage
of “up” and “down” electrons differently. Under normal conditions, the spins
of conducting electrons are roughly half-up and half-down. Controlling the
spin of electrons within a device can produce surprising and substantial changes
in its properties. A new generation of devices based upon the manipulation
of spins in solids may have entirely new functionality that could provide
a foundation for entirely new computational paradigms.
For example, the first widely used spintronic device -- the Giant Magnetoresistive
(GMR) spin-valve head for magnetic hard-disk drives -- exhibits large changes
in electrical resistance due to variations in the relative magnetic orientation
of layers on either side of a spacer layer only 2-3 atoms thick. When the
orientations are in the same direction (“parallel”), electrons with one type
of spin pass freely while those with the opposite spin meet greater resistance.
When the magnetic orientations are in opposite directions (“antiparallel”),
all the electrons meet resistance, resulting in a high overall electrical
resistance through the head. By designing the structure so a faint external
magnetic field would change the relative magnetic orientations of the key
layers, the GMR head became an extraordinarily sensitive magnetic-field sensor.
Pioneered by IBM in 1997, the GMR head enabled hard-disk drives to read smaller
data bits, which led to a more than 40-fold increase in data-storage density
over the past seven years.
Spintronic structures are also at the heart of Magnetic Random Access Memory
(MRAM), a fast non-volatile memory concept originally proposed by IBM and
currently being developed by IBM, Infineon and others.
END Almaden------------------------------------------------------------------------------->>
Spintronics in relation to this system primarily addresses the coupled function
between the tachometric converter of the Reactance Coupler and the Rotation
of the Secondary Energy storage flywheel.
Once the system is spun up to speed, it is dependent on the stability and
rate of the angular momentum.
The harmonics of which allows the quantum effect to expand in a scalar manner
out to the macro milieu.
Spintronic Tachometrics™ Magnetic Reconnection in relation to control of the singularity motus function.
[1]
Kilonewtons
1 N is the force of Earth's gravity on an object with a mass of about 102 g (1⁄9.8 kg) (such as a small apple).
On Earth's surface, a mass of 1 kg exerts a force of approximately 9.80665 N [down] (or 1 kgf). The approximation of 1 kg corresponding to 10 N is sometimes used as a rule of thumb in everyday life and in engineering.
The decanewton (daN) = 10 N is increasingly used when specifying load bearing capacity of items such as ropes and anti-vibration mounts because it is approximately equivalent to the more familiar non-SI unit of force, the kgf.
The force of Earth's gravity on a human being with a mass of 70 kg is approximately 687 N.
The dot product of force and distance is mechanical work. Thus, in SI units, a force of 1 N exerted over a distance of 1 m is 1 N·m of work. The Work-Energy Theorem states that the work done on a body is equal to the change in energy of the body. 1 N·m = 1 J (joule), the SI unit of energy.
It is common to see forces expressed in kilonewtons or kN, where 1 kN = 1 000 N.
A tonne (metric ton)=(1 000 kg) exerts a force of 9.80665 kN (or 1 000 kgf) under standard gravity conditions on Earth.
Black holes, white dwarfs, and neutron stars: The physics of compact objects
Stuart L. Shapiro, Saul A. Teukolsky
p. 366
Wiley-Interscience; 1983
The Hawking temperature T of a Schwarzschild (nonrotating, uncharged) black hole with mass m is given by the
equation (in geometrized units)
[reference 1]
T = hbar/(8 pi k m).
equation 1
In conventional units (which we use here), this would be written
T = (hbar c3)/(8 pi G k m).
equation 2
The emission of this energy results in an energy decrease of the black
hole, and thus a loss in its mass. What period of time tau will it
take for a black hole of mass mu to evaporate completely?
A black hole with mass m has a Schwarzschild radius
r = 2 G m/c2
equation 3
and thus an area of
A = 4 pi r2
equation 4
A = 16 pi G2m2/c4.
equation 5
Hawking radiation would have a power P related to the hole's area A
and its temperature T by the blackbody power law (with e = 1),
P = sigma A T4
equation 6
P = (sigma hbar4c8)/(256 pi3G2k4m2)
equation 7
or more conveniently,
P = K/m2
equation 8
where K == (sigma hbar4c8)/(256 pi3G2k4) = 3.563 x 1032
W kg2. Given that the power of the Hawking radiation is the rate of
energy loss of the hole, we can write
P = -dE/dt.
equation 9
Since the total energy E of the hole is related to its mass m by
Einstein's mass-energy formula,
E = m c2
equation 10
we can then rewrite P = -dE/dt as
P = -(d/dt) (m c2)
equation 11
P = -c2 dm/dt.
equation 12
We can then equate this to our above expression for the power, P =
K/m2, and find
-c2 dm/dt = K/m2.
equation 13
This differential equation is separable, and we can write
m2 dm = -K/c2 dt.
equation 14
Integrating over m from mu (the initial mass of the hole) to zero
(complete evaporation), and over t from zero to tau, we find that
tau = c2/(3 K) mu3.
equation 15
That is, the evaporation time of the hole is proportional to the cube
of its mass.
This simulation shows how two nano-oscillators, spaced 500 nanometers apart, synchronize their microwave signals by overlapping and merging their "spin waves," magnetic emissions caused by oscillating patterns in the spin of electrons.
Credit: Steve Russek/NIST
Researchers have figured out how nanoscale microwave transmitters gain greater signal power than the sum of their parts—a finding that will help in the design of nano-oscillator arrays for possible use as transmitters and receivers in cell phones, radar systems, or computer chips.
Groups of nanoscale magnetic oscillators are known to synchronize their individual 10-nanowatt signals to achieve a signal strength equal to the square of the number of devices. Now scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Seagate Research Center (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and Hitachi Global Storage Technologies (San Jose, Calif.) have discovered how—the oscillators accomplish this feat by communicating by means of “spin waves,” their magnetic emissions caused by oscillating patterns in the spin of electrons.
The discovery, reported in the Aug. 25 issue of Physical Review Letters, provides a tool for designing “spintronic” devices, which are based on the spin of electrons instead of their charge as in conventional electronics. The NIST oscillators—nanoscale electrical contacts applied to sandwiches of two magnetic films separated by a non-magnetic layer of copper—are hundreds of times smaller than typical commercial microwave generators and potentially could replace much bulkier and expensive components.
The NIST team previously reported “locking” the signals of two oscillators www.nist.gov/public_affairs/releases/nanooscillators.htm but were not sure why this occurred. They suspected spin waves, which propagate through solid magnetic materials, or magnetic fields, which propagate through air or a vacuum. So they did an experiment by making two oscillators on the same slab of magnetic multilayer, locking their signals, and then cutting a gap in the solid material between the two devices. The locking stopped.
Lead author Matthew Pufall of NIST compares spin wave locking to dropping two rocks in different sides of a pool of water, so that ripples propagate outward from each spot until they meet and merge. Each oscillator shifts the frequency of its own spin waves to match that of the incoming wave; this “frequency pulling” gets stronger as the frequencies get closer together, until they lock. Each oscillator also adjusts the peaks and troughs of its wave pattern to the incoming wave, until the two sets of waves synchronize.
*M.R. Pufall, W.H. Rippard, S.E. Russek, S. Kaka, J.A. Katine. 2006. Electrical measurement of spin-wave interactions of proximate spin transfer nano-oscillators. Physical Review Letters. Aug. 25.
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∞
The oldest data is towards the bottom of this page, with the newest data added at the top of the page. The designs covered in this page where meant more as an alternative source of electrical energy. The primary goal of this project is to perfect an energy flywheel system. These designs, although applicable to use as transport devices, are for ground based terrestrial operations only. The information on this page is not in any other order, but if it is here it is integral to current research. Items are included and excluded as the project moves beyond the previous scope. { progessive revelation}
This is the way of the supraliminal. You can either except it or walk away, truth is, there arent very many design programs working with these particular systems. The mathematics of that which transcends [versotrans] above our discerning perceptions is the quantum, the unexplainable.
Nikolai E. Romanski
Hompolar Hypertorque
gyroscopic directional control
Electrogravitational superdiamagnetism
Rotational Superconducting magnetic levitation for the levo rotation of the energy storage flywheel / secondary disk.
EGRD has at this time made the decision to move away from using the searl rotating magnets towards the use of magnetic fluids as a method of facilitating energy transfers to and from the magnetically levitated secondary energy storage flywheel.
Reactance Coupler for the reciprocal generation of electron flow for energy use in device systems
In the 30-C Reactance coupling device H2O / HHO is used as the primary fuel source.
Oxyhydrogen is a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen gases, normally assumed to be in a 2:1 atomic ratio, the same proportion as water. When ignited, this mixture combusts to water, making 142.35 kJ (34,116 gram calories) of heat for each gram of hydrogen burned: that is 286.97 kJ/mol of enthalpy.
The water in the system is fed from the holding sphere at the top via ionized / atomization mist into the klystron / magnetron excitation cavity. 918 mHz @ 25 Db nominal low freq. ignition.
From the excitation cavity at the top of the reactor, the ionized plasma state of the water is perforced with the use of rotating tachometric magnets into a downward vortex flow.
When this downward flow of plasma is compressed in a vortex manner towards the reconversion of magnetic constance the electron / geon / muon particles are drawn off by MHD anode assembly and shunted to the homopolar motor and magnetic levitation systems and/or energy storage flywheel storage.
Particles which are not drawn off by the MHD process come through the singularity event as low energy particles. Since the magneto.ionic structure has been stripped away, only the magneto.acoustic structure of the channeled wave and some H2O remains.
∞
The use of the searle rotor technology as a form of magnetostrictive brushing that allows for the shunting of energy potential to or from the primary device to the secondary energy storage flywheel device by extricative and constrictive means. Allowing the magnetic levitation system to remain nominal in its frictionless levo rotation.
Superdiamagnetism (or perfect diamagnetism) is a phenomenon occurring in certain materials at low temperatures, characterised by the complete absence of magnetic permeability (i.e. a magnetic susceptibility = -1) and the exclusion of the interior magnetic field. Superdiamagnetism is a feature of superconductivity. It was identified in 1933, by Walter Meissner and Robert Ochsenfeld (the Meissner effect).
Superdiamagnetism established that the superconductivity of a material was a stage of phase transition. Superconducting magnetic levitation is due to superdiamagnetism, which repels a permanent magnet, and flux pinning, which prevents the magnet floating away.
LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is an optical remote sensing technology that measures properties of scattered light to find range and/or other information of a distant target. The prevalent method to determine distance to an object or surface is to use laser pulses. Like the similar radar technology, which uses radio waves instead of light, the range to an object is determined by measuring the time delay between transmission of a pulse and detection of the reflected signal. LIDAR technology has application in archaeology, geography, geology, geomorphology, seismology, remote sensing and atmospheric physics[1].Other terms for LIDAR include ALSM (Airborne Laser Swath Mapping) and laser altimetry. The acronym LADAR (Laser Detection and Ranging) is often used in military contexts. The term laser radar is also in use but is misleading because it uses laser light and not the radiowaves that are the basis of conventional radar.
Photonic interconnect reconfigurably couples integrated circuits such as microprocessor, memory or other logic components. Detector, modulator, broad-band coupler and waveguide elements provide transmit and receive capability on CMOS substrate.
Triggerable remote controller
802.11a receiver responsive to the 802.11a signals for producing GPS data when enabled
Cellular network data communication system / 5 GHz, 802.11a Wireless LAN
Lidar DSP interface
Stereoscopic And Velocimetric Reconstructions
Organic Ionic compounds ( the device as it is grown via electrolysis / particularly liquid states). Methods for hydrogen distillation onboard.
Electrometallurgy is the process of reduction of metals from metallic compounds to obtain the pure form of metal using electrolysis. For example: sodium hydroxide in its metallic form is separated by electrolysis into sodium and hydrogen, both of which have important chemical uses.
Anodization is an electrolytic process that makes the surface of metals resistant to corrosion. For example, ships are saved from being corroded by oxygen in the water by this process. The process is also used to decorate surfaces.
Electro-refining is used to purify metals by electrolysis. For example, if an impure copper anode is electrolysed, pure copper forms around the cathode, and the impurities near the anode.
Electrolysed water has been found to be the purest form of water and is used in many dentistry and medicinal applications.
A battery works by the reverse process to electrolysis. Humphry Davy found that lithium acts as an electrolyte and provides electrical energy.
Production of oxygen in spacecraft. The oxygen that astronauts breathe in space is produced by electrolysis of water, which uses solar panels as a source of electrical energy.
Electroplating is used in layering metals to fortify them. Electroplating is used in many industries for functional or decorative purposes, as in vehicle bodies and nickel coins.
Production of hydrogen for fuel, using a cheap source of electrical energy.
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∞
Ca2(Al, Mg, Fe)3 (SiO4)3 (OH)H2O
Concerns about Nitric Oxide and Nitrogen Dioxide buildup in unventilated testing facilities. These chemicals are often mistaken for the odor of sulphur during some ufo events.
To design the device in such a way to facilitate submarine operation. The technology may perhaps have risen from the perfection of electrical propulsion in sub marine environments.
There are three classic states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas; however, plasma is considered by some scientists to be the fourth state of matter. The plasma state is not related to blood plasma, the most common usage of the word; rather, the term has been used in physics since the 1920s to represent an ionized gas. Space plasma physics became an important scientific discipline in the early 1950s with the discovery of the Van Allen radiation belts. Lightning is commonly seen as a form of plasma.
Matter changes state as it is exposed to different physical conditions. Ice is a solid with hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O) molecules arranged in regular patterns, but if the ice melts, the H2O enters a new state: liquid water. As the water molecules are warmed, they separate further to form steam, which is a gas. In these classic states, the positive charge of each atomic nucleus equals the total charge of all the electrons orbiting around it so that the net charge is zero. Each entire atom is electrically neutral.
When more heat is applied, the steam may be ionized: an electron will gain enough energy to escape its atom. This atom is left one electron short and now has a net positive charge; now it is called an ion. In a sufficiently heated gas, ionization happens many times, creating clouds of free electrons and ions; however, not all the atoms are necessarily ionized, and some may remain completely intact with no net charge. This ionized gas mixture, consisting of ions, electrons, and neutral atoms, is called plasma. A plasma must have sufficient numbers of charged particles so that the gas, as a whole, exhibits a collective response to electric and magnetic fields. Plasma density, therefore, refers to the density of the charged particles.
Although plasma includes electrons and ions and conducts electricity, it is macroscopically neutral: in measurable quantities, the number of electrons and ions are equal. The charged particles are affected by electric and magnetic fields applied to the plasma, and the motions of the particles in the plasma generate fields and electric currents from within. This complex set of interactions makes plasma a unique, fascinating, and complex state of matter.
The-high temperature strength of quartz fiber is considerably stronger than that of the high silica fiber.
Graphite Adhesive
High temperature graphite based one-part adhesive paste offering extra-high adhesive strength for bonding and sealing graphite and composite structures.
Monoatomic gold for its superconducting properties and Yitrium used for microwave filtering layers within the laminate.
A new interatomic potential for the description of various elements.
Every body has a natural resonance; a frequency at which it prefers to vibrate most freely. If excited at this frequency, the body in question vibrates at a larger amplitude than it would at some other frequency. Furthermore, it would have a tendency to continue to vibrate indefinitely were it not for a property of the material called damping. Thus, excitation energy must be continuously applied to keep the body in vibration.
Electromagnetic Radiation Safety
Some Definitions of Bioelectromagnetic Sheilding and Relevant Considerations
Non-Ionizing Radiation
Dangers of Non-Ionizing Radiation
Sub-Radiofrequency Fields
Radiofrequency, Microwave, and Infrared Radiation
Laser Radiation
Near Ultraviolet Radiation
Ionizing Radiation
Introduction and Definitions
Maximum Doses
Generation of Far-UV and X-Ray Radiation
Shielding of X-Ray Radiation
Vacuum and Chamber Safety
Implosion / Explosion Hazards
Pylon Vertical variance
Chamber Entry and Confined Space Hazards
Compressed Gas Containers
Chemical Safety
Classification of Chemicals and Sources of Information
Solvents and Other Liquids
Proper Venting of Gases and Fumes
Cryogenics and system cooling
The use of Magnetic Induction Plasma
In Tokamak reactors the inductive current drive is inherently
pulsed and therefore incompatible with the steady operation of a power plant. However, with the design of Plasma Reactors similar to the 30 A Series the Magnetic induction of the plasma is essential in order to derive the resonant harmonic cycle of the device operation. To order the magnetic induction of microwave frequency plasmas at resonance to All device parameters.
Transmigrations / Astral Event
Transmigratus, past participle of transmigrare to migrate to another place, from trans- + migrare to migrate
transitive verb : to cause to go from one state of existence or place to another
intransitive verb
1 of the soul : to pass at death from one body or being to another. Sanskrit; Laghima Pranayama / Levitation of the spirit. Axis Mundi / and or / Vimana Laghima
Another consideration in the manufacture of composite secondary discs, is the introduction of gold or platinum /any nominal superconducting filament wrapped in quartz fiber that is embedded radially throughout the disc. The purpose of this being to more readily energize the circuit without means of external charging. Refers to unpublished 28-B designs and explications on the balancing of circuit harmonics/ resonance while shunting voltage into or from flywheel storage milieu.
Verily multifacetous, investigations on bioelectromagnetic sheilding are advised to gaurd against electric shock and paralysis. Other investigations include the generation of plasmas at microwave frequencies and the special properties of magnetohydrodynamic induction within the compression of reconversion / singularity and harmonic wave resonating.
Inversion of the Tokamak design made possible by the special relativity of the singularity reconversion function.
When viewing the design of the 30-A Reactance coupler, it is important to know that the system is under intense magnetic repulsion stresses. To not observe proper caution when servicing the reactor could potentially cause it to discharge explosively, if either the upper or lower pylons are removed or maladjusted physically before de-energizing the system. Even in a discharged state, the force of the repelling magnets of the compression system are packed with significant opposing torque. The integrity of the device is dependant on this design implication. This lack of common sense has caused the deaths of other individuals on other projects in the past and serves as a cautionary redundancy that is important to future projects.
By using the Kerr rotational equations of Singularity to configure the magnetic field compression ( Schwarzchild, Tipler [Blazars, natural explosive deviation] on the special properties of harmonic wave reconversions and specific resonance) of the Plasma compression in the reactance coupling device, Reciprocal Feedback can be achieved with the correct tuning of resonance / harmonics. This is especially useful in the utilization of the heavy electron (geon) populations in the magnetohydrodynamic induction process. Another note on the kerr singularitity ( rotational / gravitational ) is that matter (mass) is a byproduct of the energy function of the realtime moment of singularity that occurs significantly outside the primary event horizon. { This implies multiple singularities in the timespace metric, each having their own relativity within or without. And it is important to note that in the process of a singularity moving through spacetime over billions of millenia matter (mass) is continuously formed from the stagnating energy. It also collects matter (mass) that has been produced by other singularity events that may have long ago died or were consumed into our relativity.}
(worldline convergence)
SI multiples
Multiple
Name
Symbol
Multiple
Name
Symbol
100
second
S
101
decasecond
daS
10–1
decisecond
dS
102
hectosecond
hS
10–2
centisecond
cs
103
kilosecond
ks
10–3
millisecond
ms
106
megasecond
Ms
10–6
microsecond
µs
109
gigasecond
Gs
10–9
nanosecond
ns
1012
terasecond
Ts
10–12
picosecond
ps
1015
petasecond
Ps
10–15
femtosecond
fs
1018
exasecond
Es
10–18
attosecond
as
1021
zettasecond
Zs
10–21
zeptosecond
zs
1024
yottasecond
Ys
10–24
yoctosecond
ys
Attosecond
(This definition follows U.S. usage in which a billion is a thousand million and a trillion is a 1 followed by 12 zeros.)
An attosecond is one quintillionth (10-18) of a second and is a term used in photon research.
For comparison, a millisecond (ms or msec) is one thousandth of a second and is commonly used in measuring the time to read to or write from a hard disk or a CD-ROM player or to measure packet travel time on the Internet.
A microsecond (us or Greek letter mu plus s) is one millionth (10-6) of a second.
A nanosecond (ns or nsec) is one billionth (10-9) of a second and is a common measurement of read or write access time to random access memory (RAM).
A picosecond is one trillionth (10-12) of a second, or one millionth of a microsecond.
A femtosecond is one millionth of a nanosecond or 10-15 of a second and is a measurement sometimes used in laser velocimeter technologies.
Its been studied for how long? When will it be applied to what. Let this research be applied to something specific. In this instance, the use of microwave frequency plasmas as a method of magnetohydrodynamic induction.
a version of the reactor design but turned inside out. I call it electrogravitation because it is not anti gravity, it works with the forces of nature and is more at pro-gravitation (harmonic coupling). The light emitting from these devices while in operation is a result of the coronal discharge that has its etiology in dielectric / diamagnetic breakdown. the sound generated by the device is a whisper unless your acoustic
acuity lays in the 5khz range. It has an ultrasonic effect at range which makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. This effect escalates from mild tingling static voltage to full on voltage induction with paralysis and potential death [instances of forced obe are not uncommon].
Other design potentials
Current research is focusing on the potential of this system as an alternative energy source.
Aerogel Technical
Guinness World Records approved the new aerogel's application for the least dense solid in March. Astronomer David Hawksett, Guinness World Records' science and technology judge, decided that Jones' aerogel beat out the previous record holder, an aerogel that weighed 5 milligrams per cubic centimeter (.00018 pounds per cubic inch.)
Aerogel is pure silicon dioxide and sand, just as is glass, but aerogel is a thousand times less dense than glass because it is 99.8 percent air. It is prepared like gelatin by mixing a liquid silicon compound and a fast-evaporating liquid solvent, forming a gel that is then dried in an instrument similar to a pressure cooker. The mixture thickens, and then careful heating and depressurizing produce a glassy sponge of silicon.
What remains is sometimes called "solid smoke," for its cloudy translucent color and super-light weight. Surprisingly, this seemingly brittle substance is durable and easily survives launch and space environments.
"It's probably not possible to make aerogel any lighter than this because then it wouldn't gel," Jones said. "The molecules of silicon wouldn't connect. And it's not possible to make it lighter than the density of air, 1.2 milligrams per cubic centimeter (.00004 pounds per cubic inch), because aerogel is filled with air." To change the density, Jones simply changes the amount of silicon in the initial mixture. At least as light as nitrogen if not lighter.
Superconducting Material Specifications
The major applications of high-temperature superconductors have mostly been
confined to products in the form of wires and thin films. However, recent
developments show that rare-earth REBa2Cu3O7-x and light rare-earth
LREBa2Cu3O7-x superconductors prepared by melt processes have a high
critical-current density at 77 K and high magnetic fields. These superconductors
will promote the application of bulk high-temperature superconductors in high
magnetic fields; the superconducting bulk magnet for the Magnetic Levitation in Electrogravitational Inductor Systems is one
possible application.
Laminate
Layers of Diamagnetic, Superconducting and Aerogel / Cellulytic materials which have been bonded together by the use of heat, pressure and, possibly, adhesive.
Tolerances
Thickness: ±10%
Size (linear dimension):
less than 100mm ±1mm
greater than100mm +2% / -1%
CONCLUSION
The engineering of the Electrogravitational DRIVE will no doubt be the challenge of the 21st century. Progress is being made to understand the exotic physics behind the DRIVE with all the disciplines necessary to design and engineer such a device. A good rule of thumb is to stand clear of approach vectors, electrical shock and paralysis may occur. OBE/Astral projection in proximity to device= not a good idea. Transmigratus, past participle of transmigrare to migrate to another place, from trans- + migrare to migrate
transitive verb : to cause to go from one state of existence or place to another
intransitive verb
1 of the soul : to pass at death from one body or being to another
Relativities of the deviation from the realtime moment of singularity
As perceived by our civilizations understanding of standard moments of/ in time.
Time Scales
The concept of time has been refined throughout history, and
new understanding usually produces a new time scale.
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∞
∞
∞
= -1) and the exclusion of the interior magnetic field. Superdiamagnetism is a feature of superconductivity. It was identified in 1933, by Walter Meissner and Robert Ochsenfeld (the Meissner effect).
Guinness World Records approved the new aerogel's application for the least dense solid in March. Astronomer David Hawksett, Guinness World Records' science and technology judge, decided that Jones' aerogel beat out the previous record holder, an aerogel that weighed 5 milligrams per cubic centimeter (.00018 pounds per cubic inch.)
Aerogel is pure silicon dioxide and sand, just as is glass, but aerogel is a thousand times less dense than glass because it is 99.8 percent air. It is prepared like gelatin by mixing a liquid silicon compound and a fast-evaporating liquid solvent, forming a gel that is then dried in an instrument similar to a pressure cooker. The mixture thickens, and then careful heating and depressurizing produce a glassy sponge of silicon.
What remains is sometimes called "solid smoke," for its cloudy translucent color and super-light weight. Surprisingly, this seemingly brittle substance is durable and easily survives launch and space environments.
"It's probably not possible to make aerogel any lighter than this because then it wouldn't gel," Jones said. "The molecules of silicon wouldn't connect. And it's not possible to make it lighter than the density of air, 1.2 milligrams per cubic centimeter (.00004 pounds per cubic inch), because aerogel is filled with air." To change the density, Jones simply changes the amount of silicon in the initial mixture. At least as light as nitrogen if not lighter.
