Van der Waals Force and Zero Point Energy

[Nomad V]

I just love them Zero point modules (ZPMs) on Stargate SG-1. I read a little about zero point energy and I remember reading that these forces are observed when plates are stacked extremely close together. It has to be that something from nothing concept.

http://www.zpenergy.com/

I suppose that would be like working for the IRS, but that's another story. When watching Nova the other night they were discussing carbon nonotubes and they were describing how they were all attracted to each other via Van der Waals forces.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_der_Waals_force

I remember that they were clueless in 70s analytical chemistry classes, back in college, that they were clueless about their origin. They only said that they were very weak and observed on very tiny objects.

Van der waal, and zero point energy is something for nothing sounds great. The whole concept put together sounds alot like a description of subspace does in fiction. Regardless I was wonderingg if there is any connection beteween zero point energy and the van der waals force?

 

[EyalM]

I'm not sure how exactly you can extract zero point energy. By definition it's the lowest energy any system could have. So how can you remove it?

 

[Nomad V]

EyalM said:
I'm not sure how exactly you can extract zero point energy. By definition it's the lowest energy any system could have. So how can you remove it?

Everything that I've read says you can't. I'd compare the problem to friction in a perpetual motion machine.

 

[Ronald Held]

Yes you can. look at the Casimir effect.

 

[TK421]

I read a great adventure book called Decipher where zero point energy was used to save the earth, Truly sweet!

 

[JustAFriend]

In screenwriting/fictionwriting classes, it's called:
"A convenient way of getting yourself out of a problem."

 

[EyalM]

What's so special about it? so it can attract very small structures, how do you make energy out of that?

 

[Nomad V]

http://www.padrak.com/ine/ZPESCIAM.html

If anything zpe will might allow the space elevator via nanotubules.

here's a link to zpe page. Deep stuff.

 

[PlixTixiplik]

To answer the original question, I don't think zero-point energy has anything to do with Van der Waal bonds. I think the main theory for the origin of ZPE is that it is from virtual particles popping in and out of existence due to some quantum thingamabob. These particles aren't even atoms, let alone molecules with bonds, so the Van der Waal forces (which result from electrostatic attraction between polar molecules) aren't applicable.

As for whether zero-point energy will ever be a viable source of power generation - I doubt it. It's just such a miniscule amount of energy in a given volume of vacuum that I don't think it could be economical. Now, I guess there could be some future technological development that makes it more feasible, but I don't envisage that in the next few decades, if even then.

-MEC

 

[Asbo Zaprudder]

The Casimir effect can be made repulsive by using objects with the appropriate geometry and dielectric properties, see:

Experts float levitation theory