Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
h a l f b a k e r y
"It would work, if you can find alternatives to each of the steps involved in this process."

idea: add, search, annotate, link, view, overview, recent, by name, random

meta: news, help, about, links, report a problem

account: browse anonymously, or get an account and write.

user:
pass:
register,


           

Please log in.
Before you can vote, you need to register. Please log in or create an account.

Variable density in liquid

Its density varies, so it goes up and down in water, generating energy
  (-6)(-6)
(-6)
  [vote for,
against]

Let's assume for now that we have an object that, after it sinks to the bottom in a liquid, its density decreases, and floats up. At or near the top, its density increases, and it sinks again.

If we can find something that naturally drops its density when external pressure goes up, then we're done. And we have perpetual motion.

But nature hates this, so such a thing probably cannot be found. What a disappointment!

Now, let's find some ways to make this machine work to generate power for us:

- at the surface, the sun's heat makes the object shrink, increasing its density above water's;

- ditto, but the surface tension of water does the job (How? i don't know yet, says HB member :). But it'd be wonderful to work this one out. It'd come very close to free energy);

- the bottom layer is a different liquid, which reacts chemically with the object to reduce its density.

doanviettrung, Nov 23 2008

[link]






       //But nature hates this//   

       Please, please, nature, I beg of you, please like this.
neelandan, Nov 23 2008
  

       //nature hates this//   

       I am one with nature. <ITHWOTLOT>
Custardguts, Nov 23 2008
  

       ...the sun's heat makes the object shrink...   

       Let's just cut out the middle man and use the heat from the sun.
DenholmRicshaw, Nov 23 2008
  

       Perhaps you could charge up batteries at the surface using solar cells, which would drive a propeller to sink the buoyant device to the bottom, where it would then rise slowly, pulling on a tether to turn a generator to generate power. And repeat.
ldischler, Nov 23 2008
  

       //But nature hates this//
But be grateful it's not a vacuum. Nature *really* abhors them.
AbsintheWithoutLeave, Nov 23 2008
  
      
[annotate]
  


 

back: main index

business  computer  culture  fashion  food  halfbakery  home  other  product  public  science  sport  vehicle