Electrostatic Levitation - Revision history

imported>GGreig at 17:52, 17 January 2026

2026-01-17T17:52:30Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:52, 17 January 2026
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[Aeronef\|Aeronefs]] (and by extension [[Steam Wing\|steam wings]] and [[Æthernef\|æthernefs]]) achieve lift through application of the principle of electrostatic levitation, in which an electric field surrounding a charged object can shield it from the influence of gravity.		{{Whatlinkshere}}[[Aeronef\|Aeronefs]] (and by extension [[Steam Wing\|steam wings]] and [[Æthernef\|æthernefs]]) achieve lift through application of the principle of electrostatic levitation, in which an electric field surrounding a charged object can shield it from the influence of gravity.

	To allow the effect to be applied at scale to large constructions<ref>In reality, electrostatic levitation has some practical applications in space research but remains a small-scale effect. Its instability is counteracted by a feedback system, but it's not mechanical like the [[Lovelace Stabilisers]] described here!</ref> - such as an aeronef - which it would be impractical to charge and surround with a single field, the underside is covered in innumerable gimbal-mounted small blocks, each surrounded by its own electric field.		To allow the effect to be applied at scale to large constructions<ref>In reality, electrostatic levitation has some practical applications in space research but remains a small-scale effect. Its instability is counteracted by a feedback system, but it's not mechanical like the [[Lovelace Stabilisers]] described here!</ref> - such as an aeronef - which it would be impractical to charge and surround with a single field, the underside is covered in innumerable gimbal-mounted small blocks, each surrounded by its own electric field.

imported>GGreig at 17:33, 3 August 2024

2024-08-03T17:33:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:33, 3 August 2024
Line 9:		Line 9:
	The recent development of [[1. The Pinkett Bicycle\|the Pinkett Bicycle]] is a veritable wonder of miniaturisation of the technology, but it is not publicly available.		The recent development of [[1. The Pinkett Bicycle\|the Pinkett Bicycle]] is a veritable wonder of miniaturisation of the technology, but it is not publicly available.

			<mw-navigation title="Transport"/>
	== Footnotes ==		== Footnotes ==
	<references />		<references />
	[[Category:Science]]		[[Category:Science]]
	[[Category:Transport]]		[[Category:Transport]]

imported>GGreig at 21:16, 26 June 2024

2024-06-26T21:16:10Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:16, 26 June 2024
Line 5:		Line 5:
	The free movement of these blocks relative to each other is a necessary consideration. The effect of electrostatic levitation is an unstable one, as shown by Maxwell's proof of Earnshaw's theorem in 1874, but the instability can be counteracted by monitoring and reorienting the blocks and fields to combat it. Naturally this complex and continuous operation is beyond mortal capability to sustain; but the development of [[Lovelace Stabilisers]] (a derivative of the [[Analytical Engine]], and pinnacle of the watchmaker's art) has allowed this effect to be practically achieved.		The free movement of these blocks relative to each other is a necessary consideration. The effect of electrostatic levitation is an unstable one, as shown by Maxwell's proof of Earnshaw's theorem in 1874, but the instability can be counteracted by monitoring and reorienting the blocks and fields to combat it. Naturally this complex and continuous operation is beyond mortal capability to sustain; but the development of [[Lovelace Stabilisers]] (a derivative of the [[Analytical Engine]], and pinnacle of the watchmaker's art) has allowed this effect to be practically achieved.

	On ascent, the charges associated with the electrostatic effect build up rapidly but not instantly; however on landing the ~~acumulated~~ potentials must be discharged immediately for safety and the loud lightning crack of a landing aeronef has become a distinctive sound anywhere these vessels set down.		On ascent, the charges associated with the electrostatic effect build up rapidly but not instantly; however on landing the accumulated potentials must be discharged immediately for safety and the loud lightning crack of a landing aeronef has become a distinctive sound anywhere these vessels set down.

	The recent development of [[1. The Pinkett Bicycle\|the Pinkett Bicycle]] is a veritable wonder of miniaturisation of the technology, but it is not publicly available.		The recent development of [[1. The Pinkett Bicycle\|the Pinkett Bicycle]] is a veritable wonder of miniaturisation of the technology, but it is not publicly available.

imported>GGreig at 20:58, 26 June 2024

2024-06-26T20:58:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:58, 26 June 2024
Line 12:		Line 12:
	<references />		<references />
	[[Category:Science]]		[[Category:Science]]
			[[Category:Transport]]

imported>GGreig at 09:53, 15 April 2024

2024-04-15T09:53:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:53, 15 April 2024
Line 3:		Line 3:
	To allow the effect to be applied at scale to large constructions<ref>In reality, electrostatic levitation has some practical applications in space research but remains a small-scale effect. Its instability is counteracted by a feedback system, but it's not mechanical like the [[Lovelace Stabilisers]] described here!</ref> - such as an aeronef - which it would be impractical to charge and surround with a single field, the underside is covered in innumerable gimbal-mounted small blocks, each surrounded by its own electric field.		To allow the effect to be applied at scale to large constructions<ref>In reality, electrostatic levitation has some practical applications in space research but remains a small-scale effect. Its instability is counteracted by a feedback system, but it's not mechanical like the [[Lovelace Stabilisers]] described here!</ref> - such as an aeronef - which it would be impractical to charge and surround with a single field, the underside is covered in innumerable gimbal-mounted small blocks, each surrounded by its own electric field.

	The free movement of these blocks relative to each other is a necessary consideration. The effect of electrostatic levitation is an unstable one, as shown by Maxwell's proof of Earnshaw's theorem in 1874, but the instability can be counteracted by monitoring and reorienting the blocks and fields to combat it. Naturally this complex and continuous operation is beyond mortal capability to sustain; but the development of [[Lovelace Stabilisers]] (a derivative of the Analytical Engine, and pinnacle of the watchmaker's art) has allowed this effect to be practically achieved.		The free movement of these blocks relative to each other is a necessary consideration. The effect of electrostatic levitation is an unstable one, as shown by Maxwell's proof of Earnshaw's theorem in 1874, but the instability can be counteracted by monitoring and reorienting the blocks and fields to combat it. Naturally this complex and continuous operation is beyond mortal capability to sustain; but the development of [[Lovelace Stabilisers]] (a derivative of the [[Analytical Engine]], and pinnacle of the watchmaker's art) has allowed this effect to be practically achieved.

	On ascent, the charges associated with the electrostatic effect build up rapidly but not instantly; however on landing the acumulated potentials must be discharged immediately for safety and the loud lightning crack of a landing aeronef has become a distinctive sound anywhere these vessels set down.		On ascent, the charges associated with the electrostatic effect build up rapidly but not instantly; however on landing the acumulated potentials must be discharged immediately for safety and the loud lightning crack of a landing aeronef has become a distinctive sound anywhere these vessels set down.

imported>GGreig at 12:10, 4 February 2024

2024-02-04T12:10:42Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:10, 4 February 2024
Line 6:		Line 6:

	On ascent, the charges associated with the electrostatic effect build up rapidly but not instantly; however on landing the acumulated potentials must be discharged immediately for safety and the loud lightning crack of a landing aeronef has become a distinctive sound anywhere these vessels set down.		On ascent, the charges associated with the electrostatic effect build up rapidly but not instantly; however on landing the acumulated potentials must be discharged immediately for safety and the loud lightning crack of a landing aeronef has become a distinctive sound anywhere these vessels set down.

			The recent development of [[1. The Pinkett Bicycle\|the Pinkett Bicycle]] is a veritable wonder of miniaturisation of the technology, but it is not publicly available.

	== Footnotes ==		== Footnotes ==
	<references />		<references />
	[[Category:Science]]		[[Category:Science]]

imported>GGreig at 16:59, 22 August 2023

2023-08-22T16:59:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:59, 22 August 2023
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[Aeronef\|Aeronefs]] (and by extension [[Steam Wing\|steam wings]] and [[Æthernef\|æthernefs]]) achieve lift through application of the principle of electrostatic levitation, in which an electric field surrounding a charged object can shield it from the influence of gravity.		[[Aeronef\|Aeronefs]] (and by extension [[Steam Wing\|steam wings]] and [[Æthernef\|æthernefs]]) achieve lift through application of the principle of electrostatic levitation, in which an electric field surrounding a charged object can shield it from the influence of gravity.

	To allow the effect to be applied at scale to large constructions - such as an aeronef - which it would be impractical to charge and surround with a single field, the underside is covered in innumerable gimbal-mounted small blocks, each surrounded by its own electric field.		To allow the effect to be applied at scale to large constructions<ref>In reality, electrostatic levitation has some practical applications in space research but remains a small-scale effect. Its instability is counteracted by a feedback system, but it's not mechanical like the [[Lovelace Stabilisers]] described here!</ref> - such as an aeronef - which it would be impractical to charge and surround with a single field, the underside is covered in innumerable gimbal-mounted small blocks, each surrounded by its own electric field.

	The free movement of these blocks relative to each other is a necessary consideration. The effect of electrostatic levitation is an unstable one, as shown by ~~Samuel~~ Earnshaw in ~~1842~~, but the instability can be counteracted by monitoring and reorienting the blocks and fields to combat it. Naturally this complex and continuous operation is beyond mortal capability to sustain; but the development of [[Lovelace Stabilisers]] (a derivative of the Analytical Engine, and pinnacle of the watchmaker's art) has allowed this effect to be practically achieved.		The free movement of these blocks relative to each other is a necessary consideration. The effect of electrostatic levitation is an unstable one, as shown by Maxwell's proof of Earnshaw's theorem in 1874, but the instability can be counteracted by monitoring and reorienting the blocks and fields to combat it. Naturally this complex and continuous operation is beyond mortal capability to sustain; but the development of [[Lovelace Stabilisers]] (a derivative of the Analytical Engine, and pinnacle of the watchmaker's art) has allowed this effect to be practically achieved.

			On ascent, the charges associated with the electrostatic effect build up rapidly but not instantly; however on landing the acumulated potentials must be discharged immediately for safety and the loud lightning crack of a landing aeronef has become a distinctive sound anywhere these vessels set down.

	== Footnotes ==		== Footnotes ==
	<references />		<references />
	[[Category:Science]]		[[Category:Science]]

imported>GGreig: Created page with "Aeronefs (and by extension steam wings and æthernefs) achieve lift through application of the principle of electrostatic levitation, in which an electric field surrounding a charged object can shield it from the influence of gravity. To allow the effect to be applied at scale to large constructions - such as an aeronef - which it would be impractical to charge and surround with a single field, the underside is covered in innumer..."

2023-08-22T16:38:08Z

Created page with "Aeronefs (and by extension steam wings and æthernefs) achieve lift through application of the principle of electrostatic levitation, in which an electric field surrounding a charged object can shield it from the influence of gravity. To allow the effect to be applied at scale to large constructions - such as an aeronef - which it would be impractical to charge and surround with a single field, the underside is covered in innumer..."

New page

[[Aeronef|Aeronefs]] (and by extension [[Steam Wing|steam wings]] and [[Æthernef|æthernefs]]) achieve lift through application of the principle of electrostatic levitation, in which an electric field surrounding a charged object can shield it from the influence of gravity.

To allow the effect to be applied at scale to large constructions - such as an aeronef - which it would be impractical to charge and surround with a single field, the underside is covered in innumerable gimbal-mounted small blocks, each surrounded by its own electric field.

The free movement of these blocks relative to each other is a necessary consideration. The effect of electrostatic levitation is an unstable one, as shown by Samuel Earnshaw in 1842, but the instability can be counteracted by monitoring and reorienting the blocks and fields to combat it. Naturally this complex and continuous operation is beyond mortal capability to sustain; but the development of [[Lovelace Stabilisers]] (a derivative of the Analytical Engine, and pinnacle of the watchmaker's art) has allowed this effect to be practically achieved.

== Footnotes ==
<references />
[[Category:Science]]