Re: Nano-Radiometric Effect Possible?

From: Chris Phoenix (cphoenix_at_best.com)
Date: 06/16/04 

Date: 16 Jun 2004 03:20:31 GMT

sanman wrote:

> Would there be any way to create a "nano-radiometric" effect, by
> covering the surface of an object (eg. airship) with many nano-sized
> radiometric structures?
> Suppose you had a surface covered in a nano-sized triangular or
> sawtooth pattern, with the front face of each tooth reflecting more
> light and the back face of each tooth absorbing more light. Could this
> generate a net thrust in the rearward direction, to propel an object
> forward?
>
> http://www.globalwarmingsolutions.co.uk/crooks_radiometer_and_otheoscope.htm
>
> Comments?
>

Hm... this sounds a bit like a light sail. Not too useful on earth, but
very useful in space. I don't think you need discrete nano-sized
structures, but nanotech would help build much lighter light sails.

Chris 

-- 
Chris Phoenix                                  cphoenix@CRNano.org
Director of Research
Center for Responsible Nanotechnology          http://CRNano.org