ANTIMATTER PROPELLED JET ENGINES

BY SIVA SANKAR

WHAT IS ANTIMATTER?
Antimatter in simplified terms is nothing but the exact opposite replica of matter itself. To be more explanative, its the same as matter, with the same atomic number, size, mass and so on. BUT with the exact opposite charge. i.e. positrons for electrons, anti-protons for protons, anti-quarks for quarks, so on.

SOME FACTS ABOUT ANTIMATTER

First predicted in the year 1929. First produced in the year 1999 (anti-hydrogen). Sustained for 15 minutes until no recently (2012) (@ CERN). Made in large colliders, where atoms impact at high velocities and the kinetic energy gets converted to gamma radiation, anti-protons and positrons. 63 trillion $ per gram per year. Produces massive amounts of energy as it comes in contact with matter, annihilating itself and the latter.

CONSIDERING THE LAST LISTED FACT!

Being able to produce huge and massive amounts of energy, serves to be the very purpose of attraction to our eyes. Mass to energy ratio using antimatter is humongous compared to conventional methods. Being very lighter and super packed, serves to be the best fuel known to mankind.

APPLICATION IN ENGINES
Matter-antimatter propulsion will be the most efficient propulsion ever developed, as all the mass of the matter and antimatter is converted into energy. When matter and antimatter collide, the energy released by their annihilation is 10 billion times the energy that of hydrogen and oxygen combustion, that which is used in space shuttle.

Matter-antimatter reactions produce 1,000 times the energy of nuclear fission and 300 times the nuclear fusion energy. So, matter-antimatter engines have the potential to take us farther with less fuel.

STORAGE AND PRODUCTIVE USAGE

A magnetic storage ring is needed to store antimatter. They can be stored in STRONG magnetic field induced rings as they must be kept away from matter until they are actually needed to generate energy. A feed system to release antimatter in exactly required amounts aimed at target matter to generate energy. A relatively long magnetic nozzle to move the energy created by the matterantimatter collision through the thruster.

INSPIRATIONAL ANALYSIS
Just 10 gm of antimatter would be sufficient to power a manned craft to mars, with the journey span being just 1 month.
Wider range compared to conventional transport methods.

Possibility to travel at very high speeds.

Possibility to travel beyond heliopause (beyond influence of suns radiation). Opens up numerous promising advancements in a wide range of fields.

COMBINING THE NEW DESIGN AND POWER SOURCE WE ARE ONE STEP CLOSER TO WHAT WE HAVE KNOWN AS

FICTION??

THANK YOU!!