Free Energy (Pseudoscience)

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Free energy is a supposedly inexhaustible source of energy that is supposed to be able to replace established energy sources such as fossil or renewable energies . The existence of such an energy source is neither proven nor scientifically recognized. People who believe in their existence and usability often answer the skepticism they are shown with conspiracy theories . Conspiracy theorists claim that the so-called "knowledge of free energy" is suppressed by the government or organizations for economic reasons.

Originally, free energy is a term used in physics and describes the energy that can maximally be extracted from a thermodynamic system as work . See also thermodynamic potential .

Physical basics

Supporters of free energy claim to be able to build systems that use free energy available in space and convert it into conventional mechanical work. Such machines would thus provide energy without violating the law of conservation of energy and are therefore not Perpetua Mobilia machines, which are not possible according to the recognized principles of physics. Free energy is a real existing form of energy that is so abundantly available at every location or should "flow in" sufficiently from the environment that its "extraction" including subsequent conversion into classic forms of energy does not violate the law of conservation of energy. The term “new physics” or “true physics” is also used to explain this.

The zero-point energy actually predicted and experimentally proven in physics is often given as the basis for the assumptions about free energy . It is a consequence of quantum field theory and a consequence of the non-vanishing energy term of a harmonic oscillator at absolute zero. Indirect evidence of the zero-point energy is the Casimir effect , predicted by Hendrik Casimir and named after him , which causes a force to act between two conductive objects in a vacuum , which presses both together. The effect was first proven experimentally in 1956 and then confirmed several times. In astronomy, zero-point energy is considered a candidate for so-called dark energy , which would provide an explanation for the observed accelerated expansion of the universe . The actual technical utilization of the zero-point energy is considered impossible, since a force alone (as with the Casimir effect) does not remove any energy from the system or the creation of the initial state (pulling the plates apart) consumes just as much energy.

In addition, the information on the nature of free energy and the possibilities of its generation and utilization are very contradictory. Proponents of free energy often use physical terms for the postulated phenomena, but with a different meaning than in physics. The aim is to give the impression that the existence of free energy is scientifically recognized. These include:

Science is not aware of such free energy, nor is it known about interactions that could enable it to be converted into known forms of energy. Despite repeated claims by advocates of free energy that they have succeeded in harnessing this form of energy through so-called “free energy systems”, there is so far no scientific evidence of the actual existence of such a system.

conspiracy theories

Conspiracy theories are often used to explain why not only such machines do not exist, but not even more detailed information about their functioning : It is claimed that even knowledge about free energy is suppressed by the energy industry and other interested parties, that of commercial ones Interest would specifically prevent the use of this environmentally friendly and unlimitedly available form of energy.

Many free energy advocates are esotericists . This overlap also connects the free energy with other views.

Examples

Nikola Tesla

In the free energy also historically important people like to play Nikola Tesla a passive role. His person and work such as the Magnifying transmitter are often mentioned in the area of ​​legends as an example of the practical application of free energy , although this referred to the effects of electromagnetic radiation.

Nikola Tesla was a colorful personality with good contacts in upscale New York society and with donors like JP Morgan . From 1890 he speculated about the possibilities of using the energy available in space, emphasizing that not the static but only the kinetic energy could be used. In March 1901 he applied for his patent for an apparatus for the use of radiant energy, which is supposed to capture “space energy” and convert it into electrical energy. In the actual patent specification, however, there is no reference to "free energy" or "space energy", but rather to solar energy :

"The apparatus being arranged as shown, it will be found that when the radiations of the sun or of any other source capable of producing the effects before described fall upon the plate P an accumulation of electrical energy in the condenser C will result."

"It turns out that with the apparatus set up as shown, the radiation of the sun or any other source that can produce the effects described above causes an accumulation of electrical energy in the capacitor C when it hits the plate P."

- Nikola Tesla : US patent 685,957, p. 2, lines 44 ff.

This machine is supposed to convert the electromagnetic radiation from the sun into electrical current through a photocell ("Plate P") and thus charge a capacitor .

Viktor Schauberger

The Austrian natural scientist Viktor Schauberger is said to have invented a so-called “trout turbine” or “repulsine”, with which supposedly unlimited energy could be generated and with which the Nazi regime is said to have driven Reich flying disks .

Water propulsion

The water drive should function as a hypothetical drive system using free energy , for example for motor vehicles that only use water as a fuel. Should not be confused with this drive by hydrogen -powered engine .

Stanley Meyer, convicted of fraud, is the owner of nine patents relating to motor vehicles powered directly by water. He died of a stroke in 1998 . By supporters of the free energy is, however, claimed that Meyer had been persecuted by the oil industry, Arab killers and by US government agencies and eventually poisoned to his invention not be publicized to let.

literature

  • Norbert Aust: Free Energy and Zero Point Energy Machines. In: Skeptiker 4/2016, pp. 160–168.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Peter Lay: Encyclopedia Free Energy - Over 200 technical terms clearly explained . 1st edition. Michaels-Verlag, Peiting 2004, ISBN 3-89539-231-6 .
  2. ↑ a b Holm Hümmler : Tachyons - Fast money with fast particles - or without? An abused term in physics . In: Skeptics . No.  4/2002 . GWUP, ISSN  0936-9244 , p. 154-155 .
  3. ↑ Austrian Association for Space Energy; The energy of a thousand names. Retrieved July 24, 2020 .
  4. ↑ Helmut Reinalter : Conspiracy theories. Theory, history, effect. Studien Verlag, Innsbruck, Vienna, Bozen 2002, p. 86; Michael Barkun : A culture of conspiracy. Apocalyptic visions in Contemporary America. UCP, Berkeley 2003, pp. 32, 103 ff., 183 and others; James McConnachie and Robin Tudge: Rough Guide to Conspiracy Theories. 3rd edition, Rough Guides, London 2013, pp. 271-276.
  5. ↑ Michael Krause: How Nikola Tesla invented the 20th century . 1st edition. Wiley, 2010, ISBN 978-3-527-50431-2 , pp. 244 .
  6. ↑ Patent US685957 : Apparatus for the Utilization of Radiant Energy. Inventor: Nikola Tesla. ‌
  7. ↑ Eduard Gugenberger, Franko Petri, Roman Schweidlenka: world conspiracy. The new danger from the right. Deuticke, Vienna 1998, p. 158.
  8. ^ Tony Edwards: End of road for car that ran on water . In: The Sunday Times , Times Newspapers Limited, December 1, 1996, p. Features 12. Retrieved May 16, 2007. 
  9. ^ A b Dean Narciso: The Car that Ran on Water. In: The Columbus Dispatch. July 8, 2007, archived from the original on February 14, 2008 ; Retrieved March 24, 2008 .
  10. ↑ Water Powered Car report on Meyer's death. In: waterpoweredcar.com. Retrieved March 24, 2008 .
  11. ↑ Philip Ball: Burning water and other myths. In: Nature News. September 14, 2007, Retrieved September 14, 2007 (He died in 1998 after eating at a restaurant; the coroner diagnosed an aneurysm, but the conspiracy web still suspects he was poisoned.).