Power Beaming For UAVs and Space Elevators 137
An anonymous reader writes "The idea of power beaming — using lasers or microwaves to transmit usable energy over great distances — has been around for decades. But recent advances in cheaper, more energy-efficient diode lasers have made power beaming commercially viable. LaserMotive, based in Kent, WA, is best known for winning the Level 1 prize of the NASA Power Beaming Challenge at the Space Elevator Games last November. In a new interview with Xconomy, LaserMotive co-founder Tom Nugent, who previously worked on the 'photonic fence' mosquito-zapping project at Intellectual Ventures, talks about gearing up for Level 2 of the NASA competition, slated for later this year. What's more, LaserMotive is trying to build a real business around beaming power to unmanned aerial vehicles, remote sensors and military bases, and other locations where it's impractical to run a wire, change batteries, or truck in fuel. The ultimate goal is to beam large amounts of solar power to Earth."
Beaming power down from space? (Score:5, Funny)
Simple enough - just have a satellite convert it into powerful microwaves which you then beam down to reflector dishes. It works great! But you have to be careful, as occasionally the satellite gets out of whack and cooks large portions of your town.
That, or Godzilla. Unless you've turned disasters off.
Re:Beaming power down from space? (Score:3, Funny)
Or pop lots of popcorn.
Re:Beaming power down from space? (Score:2, Funny)
You take the red pill and you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes.
You take the blue pill and your penis stays erect for hours and hours, if your heart can take it.
Ultimate goal? (Score:5, Funny)
The ultimate goal is to beam large amounts of solar power to Earth
Isn't that handled by...y'know...the sun?
A noble effort, but... (Score:5, Funny)
"Tom Nugent...previously worked on the 'photonic fence' mosquito-zapping project at Intellectual Ventures..."
I understand the photonic fence project hit a wall during tests held just North of Winnipeg. Three mosquitoes (described by locals as "undersized" and "early season weaklings") came out of the bush, trashed the equipment and kicked the living shit out of two researchers. A German Shepherd-Pit Bull cross brought in to keep bears out of the scientists' camp was dragged off by the insects and never seen again.
Re:Whaaa! I demand guaranteed success!!!! (Score:1, Funny)
*hyperbole warning*
Real men with balls are explorers, always pushing the boundaries.
Real men have the balls to attempt and fail, learning something, and trying again.
Real men don't give up until they see their vision through, or die.
*end hyperbole*
I'll add a few more:
Real men leave the toilet seat up after use.
Real men never preheat the oven when cooking an instant pizza.
Real men like to hang their clothes on the hooks on the floor.
YES! I'm your MOM!
Now clean your room before you go off exploring or you will be grounded!
FOREVER.