Fluidic zero-point power and propulsion units

Abstract

Disclosed are devices which provide a practical means of extracting energy from the electromagnetic zero-point energy which permeates the universe. This is done by exploiting the Casimir-van der Waals' forces to accelerate a fluid through the device and exhaust it with a higher velocity and energy than that with which it entered. This kinetic energy gained by the fluid may then be used to do work, such as spin a turbine for power generation, or provide thrust for direct propulsion. These devices do not consume fuel nor any non-renewable resources during operation and they are capable of generating significantly more energy than they require to start or to be manufactured.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A device for the extraction of energy from quantum vacuum fluctuations through the exploitation of Casimir-vdW forces comprising:
 (a) a structure containing a Casimir-vdW cavity which while in operation contains, for some portion of time within some portion of said Casimir-vdW cavity, a fluid;   (b) wherein a gradient in the Casimir-vdW forces exerted upon said fluid within said Casimir-vdW cavity exists during some portion of time during the operation of said device;   (c) wherein said gradient may be continuous or discontinuous, may be linear or exponential in its rate of change, and/or may include a change or changes in polarity; and   (d) wherein said gradient effects, or increases the rate of, the flow of said fluid through said Casimir-vdW cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  when part of a series of such devices wherein the Casimir-vdW cavities of same are connected in such a way as to form a channel. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  when part of an array of such devices. 
     
     
         4 . device of  claim 1  wherein said gradient, in whole or in part, is the result of the geometry of said Casimir-vdW cavity. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said gradient, in whole or in part, is the result of a gradient or change in the electric permittivity and/or magnetic permeability in at least one of the solid. Casimir-vdW force-generating boundaries of said Casimir-vdW cavity. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein said gradient in the electric permittivity and/or magnetic permeability is the result of a compositional variation in said Casimir-vdW force-generating boundary. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein said compositional variation is result of differing concentrations of a dopant or dopants within said solid Casimir-vdW force-generating boundary. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the doping of said dopant or dopants into said solid Casimir-vdW force-generating boundary substrate material was accomplished with an ion beam or atomic beam technique.