If the effect is so tiny that you struggle to measure it, it probably isn’t there. This goes back to N-Rays.
Oh, I’m not claiming that someone with a PhD and publications is not capable of being unethical; we’ve certainly seen plenty of examples of academic and scientific misconduct recently by previously well-regarded experts to not take ethics for granted. But if Buhler et al were faking the results or intentionally gimmicking the test apparatus to get a fraudulent result, it would be almost trivially easy to determine what they had done or set up an alternate test that would falsify the result. And I just think it is unlikely that they are going to be able to attract big investment without someone poking obvious holes because there just isn’t the same kind of enthusiasm among VCs for speculative propulsion or space applications as there are for other scam-prone innovations, and the people most likely to be interested in investing will likely have some actual physics or propulsion background because it isn’t a product that would serve the broad public audience.
In fact, if this worked, the first and biggest customer would almost certainly be the Department of Defense, which despite not being adverse to blowing a lot of taxpayer dollars on unworkable bullshit does generally pull in subject matter experts to evaluate new technologies before they buy into them, and the Government Accountability Office which is responsible for reviewing proposal responses and bids doesn’t take kindly to fraud. For someone with the apparent background and knowledge of Buhler, I think this is too dumb of a scam to think that he could get away with it for any period of time.
I do think, however, that it is the kind of thing that can show apparent results when you have someone setting up experiments who doesn’t understand how to properly validate test methodology and verify test and measurement equipment, and I suspect if you got a good experimental physicist or electrical engineer with experience in electrostatic and electrodynamic testing they could find one or more flaws in their test setup that created an apparent thrust. I’ve actually seen this happen (albeit in a different domain of physics) where one group was insistent that they were getting anomalous results that violated basic physics, and an SME with thirty-odd years of experience walked in, looked at the filter design and their measurement setup, and diagnosed the cause as bad measurements and aliasing within a couple of minutes without even looking at specs or seeing the test being run. The people running the test weren’t unethical or even dumb, but they were doing something outside of their experience and overlooked a basic problem with how they were measuring the behavior under test. It happens, and its embarrassing when you make a claim that turns out to be completely wrong, but it doesn’t automatically indicate malfeasance.
The effect isn’t tiny; they are reporting thrust measurements of several hundred pounds. However, they don’t show how they are making the measurements or how any part of the test apparatus and methodology is validated.
Stranger
And so, we would expect that, if this is a scam, they would refrain from showing how they’re making the measurements and how they’re validating the apparatus and methodology, so that nobody can determine what they’ve done or falsify them.
Which is exactly what will probably happen. There will be some ‘reason’ why independent experts are not able or allowed to inspect the apparatus.
I wonder if we will ever hear any more of this, or will it just silently vanish away?
When something seems to violate the laws of physics, it usually does, and is a crock.
Still, with this and Theranos (and many others) why are investors so stupid? I swear, it should be legal to separate the stupid from their money,
Yeah, failure. B-17, B-47, B-52, KC135, 707, 727, 737, 747, 757, 767, 777, 787 , Stearman, Chinook, Apache, Saturn S-IVb, Delta, all scams and failures.,
Well, it sort of is, in practice? Or did you mean illegal?
Maybe we should float a startup promising direct conversion of mass to energy by accelerated proton decay mediated by a fifth force discovered using AI.
I’m sure a team of dopers could create a wonderful technobabble prospectus. If we could stop laughing long enough to write it… 
(emphasis added.)
I thought boson thrust was possible by shooting out a beam of photons (or whatever) created by your device.
mutter, mutter DISRUPTOR mutter, mutter GAME CHANGER mutter, mutter VISIONARY mutter, mutter PARADIGM mutter, mutter BUZZWORD mutter, mutter
Yup. Even ChatGPT does a fairly decent job:
Prospectus: Quantum Fusion Technologies
Executive Summary:
Quantum Fusion Technologies is at the forefront of revolutionizing energy production through a groundbreaking approach: direct conversion of mass to energy via accelerated proton decay mediated by a newly discovered fifth force. Leveraging cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, we have unlocked the potential to harness this revolutionary process, offering a sustainable and virtually limitless energy solution to meet the growing global demand.
Introduction:
Traditional energy sources are fraught with limitations, from environmental degradation to finite resource depletion. Quantum Fusion Technologies aims to disrupt this paradigm by introducing a novel method of energy generation that taps into the very fabric of the universe. Through the utilization of advanced AI-driven research methodologies, we have unearthed the existence of a fifth force, previously unknown to science, which enables the direct conversion of matter into energy at unprecedented efficiency levels.
The Science Behind Quantum Fusion:
At the core of our technology lies the principle of accelerated proton decay mediated by the fifth force. Protons, the building blocks of atomic nuclei, undergo a transformation process facilitated by the interaction with this newly discovered force. Through precise control and manipulation, our proprietary systems accelerate this decay process, leading to the release of vast amounts of energy.
The fundamental equation governing this process can be expressed as:
E=Δm×c2E=Δm×c2
Where:
- EE represents the energy produced,
- ΔmΔm denotes the change in mass due to proton decay, and
- cc represents the speed of light in a vacuum.
The discovery of this fifth force, facilitated by AI-driven analysis of vast datasets and complex theoretical frameworks, marks a pivotal moment in scientific history. Quantum Fusion Technologies stands as the vanguard of this revolution, poised to unlock the full potential of mass-to-energy conversion for the betterment of humanity.
Advantages of Quantum Fusion:
- Abundant Energy Supply: Unlike traditional energy sources, which are finite and often environmentally damaging, Quantum Fusion offers a virtually limitless supply of clean energy, derived directly from matter.
- High Efficiency: Our process of accelerated proton decay achieves energy conversion rates far surpassing those of conventional nuclear fusion and fission technologies, ensuring maximum energy yield with minimal input.
- Environmental Sustainability: By harnessing the power of proton decay, Quantum Fusion Technologies eliminates the need for harmful emissions or resource extraction, paving the way towards a cleaner and greener future.
Market Potential:
The global energy market is ripe for disruption, with increasing demand for sustainable, reliable, and cost-effective solutions. Quantum Fusion Technologies positions itself as a game-changer in this landscape, offering a transformative energy source that meets the needs of both industrial and residential sectors.
Investment Opportunity:
Quantum Fusion Technologies invites strategic partnerships and investment to propel our pioneering research and development efforts forward. By joining forces with us, investors stand to not only reap substantial financial rewards but also contribute to a paradigm shift in energy generation that will shape the future of civilization.
Conclusion:
With the power of AI-guided discovery and innovative scientific
exploration, Quantum Fusion Technologies is poised to redefine the way we harness energy. Our direct conversion of mass to energy through accelerated proton decay mediated by a fifth force represents a monumental leap forward in sustainable energy production. We invite investors, partners, and visionaries to join us on this journey towards a brighter, cleaner, and more abundant future.
Contact Us:
For more information on investment opportunities and partnership inquiries, please contact:
Or, for that matter, shooting out a stream of fermions and their anti-particles, created by the device.
No I did mean it should be legal. If you’re dumb enough to buy into orgonne energy, N Rays, perpetual motion, instant blood analysis, reactionless thrusters, or on-line sports betting, you should have no complaint or recourse when your money vanishes down the rabbit hole.
In real life, of course, that’s probably not realistic.
It’s a bit of a gray area, I’d say. Depends on whether a court decides that what was offered really was a scam?
Maybe you invested in Betamax rather than VHS.
And then, instant (or almost instant) blood analysis is a reality for some diagnostic purposes, and will almost certainly get better as real technology advances.
But if it breaks just about all laws of physics, like perpetual motion, I don’t know. You can’t protect people against hoping for the impossible, otherwise betting should be illegal? As my wife says: everyone wants to believe in magic…
"One would very much like to think that the phrase, “propellantless propulsion”, would be hint enough that anything and everything that followed would be total nonsense. Sadly, that isn’t often the case.
Wow, I should probably trademark that company name immediately!
Investors: we will tell you where to send the money as soon as we incorporate.
We Are Hiring: our focus group shows that we need about 3 Phd holders on the team for the website. No salary, I’m afraid, but the stock options are excellent…
I wouldn’t immediately say that “propellantless” is a guaranteed indication of nonsense. There are non-physics-breaking things that could be described that way, if we presume it just means a system for achieving acceleration without expelling material carried for that purpose. Light sails or EM tethers aren’t generally described using the term, but I wouldn’t say someone was necessarily wrong if they did so. Whether capturing natural light or riding a laser array, a light sail can’t really be said to have “propellant”, and tethers use onboard power to maneuver relative to a planetary magnetic field, but they don’t expel the fuel (if any) used to power the maneuvers.
So, you might have to read past the title to be sure that it’s nonsense. (But it usually becomes clear very soon after that.)
What has Boeing done for us lately?
Does anyone know which Second Coming movement had a sharpster buy up all their homes and farms for pennies because they were certain it was the end? And whether/which court cases resulted?
No. Was there one? I could well believe it, but this seems a bit of a hijack from the original topic and might best be split into a different thread?
There seems to be a narrative that since Boeing merged with McDonnell Douglas they have shifted to more of a profit-driven rather than engineering culture.
I don’t have any real information about that. Mind you, as an engineer, I can’t help repurposing the old joke.
What are 1000 MBAs in concrete boots at the bottom of the sea? — A good start!
He’s backkkkkkk!
Or is he? Must be a slow news day. I don’t see anything in that article that implies a leap forward over last year. Probably because the author cites nothing other than last year’s presentation.
I stopped reading Popular Mechanics a long time ago for their over-hyping every claim. This one is bottom of the barrel.
Two nice things I can say. The writer doesn’t really believe the claim and starts with the debunking of Roger Shawyer’s Impossible Drive. And PM’s covers have gotten much better than they used to be.