New PhysicsNew Physics is concerned with emerging areas of physics and alternative physics theories which provide the scientific basis for much of the advanced energy and propulsion research mentioned on this Web site. Although much of the New Physics field remains outside the realm of mainstream science, this situation is likely to change in the future as experimental evidence for new paradigm-shifting theories continues to accumulate. Many New Physics concepts are based on the existence of a universal sea of energy or an aether which pervades all of space. Contrary to popular belief, the well-known experiment of Michelson and Morley in 1887 did not actually disprove the existence of an aether. It only ruled out the possibility of a static aether. The concept of the aether has returned in the form of the dynamic fluctuating vacuum energy that fills so-called empty space everywhere in the universe. The physics of the vacuum is shaping up as a major theme of frontier science in the 21st century. Quantum theory predicts that the vacuum is filled with a fluctuating energy known as the zero-point energy or ZPE. This energy is also referred to as the electromagnetic quantum vacuum. It exists even at a temperature of absolute zero. That is why it is called "zero-point" energy. The ZPE has been detected in experiments which measure the Casimir effect, a force caused by the pressure of the ZPE on parallel metal plates when they are brought close together. It has been estimated that the density of the ZPE exceeds nuclear energy densities. This makes it the greatest known source of energy in the universe. We don't notice it, however, because it is everywhere and most of it exists at higher frequencies which are difficult to detect. New Physics researchers such as Harold Puthoff and Bernard Haisch believe that it may be possible to tap the zero-point energy for the generation of power and other technological applications. This may seem impossible because the ZPE is essentially random. The idea of obtaining an orderly flow of useful energy from the random ZPE fluctuations in the vacuum appears to violate the second law of thermodynamics, the law of entropy. However, theories of system self-organization combined with theories of the ZPE and a dynamic aether raise the possibility that the ZPE can indeed be tapped to provide unlimited energy for useful applications. The zero-point energy field may provide a physical explanation for inertia, the resistance of an object to acceleration expressed by Newton's second law of motion (F=ma). Physicists Bernard Haisch, Alfonso Rueda, and Harold Puthoff have advanced the theory that inertia is a drag force caused by the interaction of the electromagnetic zero-point field (ZPF) with the electric charges of subatomic particles (electrons and quarks) contained in matter. This force switches on when an object accelerates but is not present during uniform motion due to the nature of the ZPF. Haisch, Rueda, and Puthoff have shown that Newton's second law can be derived from the characteristics of the ZPF, which lends some support to their theory. Like inertia, gravity may arise because of an interaction between matter and the electromagnetic ZPF. This follows from Einstein's equivalence principle which states that a gravitational field is physically equivalent to acceleration in free space. Gravity may therefore be an electromagnetic effect rather than a separate fundamental force of nature. If the ZPF can be manipulated by technological means, then antigravity propulsion becomes a real possibility. Theories for controlling gravity and inertia have been explored at NASA and elsewhere since this would obviously revolutionize space travel. New Physics research is extending and revising the realm of scientific knowledge on many different fronts. Besides what has already been mentioned, New Physics researchers are also investigating charge clusters, cold fusion reactions, torsion fields, vortex mechanics, and other anomalous areas. It is likely that many important areas of physics remain to be discovered, but what has been discovered so far indicates that humanity is on the threshold of the greatest scientific revolution in history. New Physics LinksThis section contains links to other Web sites with information related to the topic of New Physics. Contact the author of this Web site if you wish to suggest additional links. Organizations
Energy and the Aether
Gravitation
Vortex Mechanics
The Frontier Science Web
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