The casimir effect generates photons and particles from quantum effects of a vacuum. Wikipedia tells me they have made a casimir effect array with IC fabrication technology. So, make a bunch of those and put them in space with a collimating lens. It should beam light to earth. People could look at it and think, "nifty".

As a bonus, if you leave it up there long enough it should generate more energy than if the entire array of ICs was converted to energy from mass.
-- beanangel, Nov 28 2018

VLSI Fabrication Technologies www-micro.deis.unib.../Dida01/tecCMOS.pdf
[not_morrison_rm, Nov 28 2018]

wikipedia on casimir effect In their experiment...microwave resonator
In their experiment, microwave photons were generated out of the vacuum in a superconducting microwave resonator" and also "in particular silicon integrated circuit technology based micro- and nanoelectromechanical systems, silicon array propulsion for space drives, and so-called Casimir oscillators [beanangel, Dec 01 2018]

IC?
-- pertinax, Nov 28 2018


Integrated Circuit?
-- nineteenthly, Nov 28 2018


Internal Combustion ?
-- 8th of 7, Nov 28 2018


"An Integrated Circuit (IC) is an electronic network fabricated in a single piece of a semiconductor material."g according to Introduction to "VLSI Fabrication Technologies"- link.
-- not_morrison_rm, Nov 28 2018


I think this is wrong. The Casimir effect works by, in effect, shorting out some quantum fluctuations in the small gap, so that there is less pressure between the two plates than there is outside them, thereby pushing them together. I don't see how it can generate photons or particles.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Nov 28 2018


I am, and I'm already home.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Nov 28 2018


// I don't see how it can generate photons or particles. //

In some theoretical models , manipulation of Casimir vacuum would be a route to accessing Zero-point energy (q.v.), but experimental evidence has - so far - been discouraging.
-- 8th of 7, Nov 29 2018


Historically, the Casspir device provided a reliable 124 kW, a bit heavy on the diesel though.

But seriously, the Casimir effect works best as a way to stick bits of metal together. Presumably that's how they made Citroen 2CV's?
-- not_morrison_rm, Nov 29 2018


It may explain how they built them, but not why. That will forever be a mystery.
-- 8th of 7, Nov 29 2018


To be fair, the 2CV is infinitely better than most British- built cars. It can drive equally well over paved roads, ploughed fields and tourists. If it ever breaks down, it can be repaired using only one spanner and a mallet. If any body panels are lost or damaged, they can be replaced with either corrugated tin roofing or plywood. It requires lubricating far less often than the driver. It is impossible for it to earn a speeding ticket. It is impossible for it to get a parking ticket because no traffic warden has the patience to find out if it actually parked or is in fact still in motion. In case of the petrol running out, it can be carried to the nearest petrol vendor. It is also largely self-righting, rather like a gomboc.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Nov 29 2018


You could say the same of a wheelbarrow.
-- 8th of 7, Nov 29 2018


Sure, but wheelbarrows are decidedly higher-tech.
-- RayfordSteele, Nov 30 2018


Wikipedia on the casimir effect describes actual experiments where the generate photons from it and mentions using IC technology to do the casimir effect [link]. So I still think a big light emitting thing made out of ICs would work.
-- beanangel, Dec 01 2018


Eventually, by knowing the right environmental conditions, converting between all the different energy forms, and the hard bits, will be child's play in kindergarten.
-- wjt, Dec 12 2018


Have you seen the mess that small children playing can make ? Best not to let them play will mass/energy/spacetime /information transformations.

Cleaning up after that is going to need a bit more than a mop, a bucket, a squirt-spray of detergent and some dusters; better just to move to a different Universe and start over.
-- 8th of 7, Dec 12 2018


Quicker learning, more poignant precised facts, better cleaning tech. It won't be as messy as you think, rather the same as old but newer.

They will know how tickle P010.
-- wjt, Dec 14 2018


All right, I give up; what's P010?
-- pertinax, Dec 14 2018


The Borg's rapture initiator. Very transient.
-- wjt, Dec 17 2018



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