So, is there really such a thing as "free energy"? What exactly could that be?
Well, there is a lot of debate, both about what "is" free energy, and what its value can be.
The basic premise is that "free" energy is something that, with the proper technology, can be drawn more or less out of the environment around us. It is assumed to be in abundant supply as it is simply somehow embedded in the world in which we live and would not be "used up" in its use. While people are talking about whether or not this sort of thing actually exists, there are also discussions (heated and otherwise) about what it would cost to develope the technology necessary to use it, and what would be the costs of the processes, whatever they are, necessary to make use of it.
To confuse the issue a little more, the phrase "free energy" can be applied to several different devices and concepts. For example, one idea would be to collect energy at zero cost from some source not recognized by modern science. Some people view a sort of perpetual motion machine which would generate or store energy in some manner not yet known.
A more realistic point of view is that which looks at actual energy which might be available from genuine, although yet untapped, resources. For example, there are all kinds of energy and/or radiation, natural and manmade, floating about in our atmosphere. Is there some way to make use of these resources that are known to exist?
While such speculations may raise the thought that this sort of thing is probably impossible, when I was born, flying to the moon, cell phones, and personal computers were pretty much impossible in the minds of most people as well.
Actually, most of us could probably deal with the idea of drawing energy from these sources of energy in one way or another. After all, the sun's rays are one form of radiation we recognize daily, and we are becoming more and more accustomed to the sight of solar panel arrays, and even the least ecologically oriented individuals are realizing that current energy sources are limited and are taking a second look at alternative energy sources, including wind power and solar power.
The actual sticking point seems to be how much power could these sources generate, and how would the "common man" and woman, get access to it. Another point is simply what ARE these sources, and that we do not know as yet.
However, there is plenty of speculation.
So let's talk about the "Zero Point Field"!
Many backers of "free energy" claim that vast amounts of energy can be drawn from what is known as the "Zero Point Field".
Now for the few of you unfamiliar with quantum mechanics, the Zero Point Field is a state of matter within a defined system when that system is at the lowest energy state that it could possibly find itself in. This lowest point condition is known as the "ground state". Zero point energy (ZPE) is considered to be residual energy. ZPE was first proposed as a useable energy source by Albert Einstein and Otto Stern in 1913. ZPE is also referred to as "vacuum energy" in some quantum mechanics studies, and vacuum energy is believed to represent the energy in a totally empty space. Researcher Hal Puthoff likens vacuum energy to the froth at the base of a waterfall.
Once past all the terms and speculations, however, "zero point" simply means that if the entire universe could be cooled to absolute zero, the point at which all effects from thermal agitation cease, there would be a remaining amount of energy, and that is zero point energy. However, since it is merely a hypothetical situation to freeze the universe, it is also hypothetical as to what energy would actually be available...if any.
Still, many physicists at research facilities around the world are asking if it is possible to consider this theoretical reservoir of free energy as a viable alternative energy source. In addition to this aspect, understanding the existence and attributes of zero point energy can also possibly lead to progress in other engineering aspects as well, including perhaps even some form of manipulation of gravity and inertia. Also, in the area of cavity quantum electrodynamics, researchers in the fields of lasers and other molecule emissions may make progress as well once more is understood about the realties of zero point energy as opposed to the theory.
Donovan Baldwin is retired from the Army after 21 years of service, has worked as an accountant, optical lab manager, restaurant manager, and instructor. He has been a member of Mensa for several years, and has written and published poetry, essays, and articles on various subjects for the last 40 years. He is keenly interested in the fuels of the future, America's dependence on foreign oil, the physical limits of stores of petroleum based products, and the futures of his grandchildren. Learn more about hybrid cars, and fuel economy.
He is also keenly interested in health and fitness and has a blog on these subjects at http://nodiet4me.blogspot.com, and a website with several articles on health and fitness at http://nodiet4me.com.
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