Learning how to fly.

[avanover]

The human body consists mostly of water (65-90%) which has diamagnetic properties. It also consists of a small amount of hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons are any molecule which consists entirely of hydrogen and carbon, the simplest being methane (CH₄). Hydrocarbons are somewhat diamagnetic. So basically, humans are large diamagnets. What is diamagnetic material? Diamagnetic material is an object with the ability to create a magnetic field in opposition to an externally applied magnetic field such as to create a repulsion effect. However, it is also a very weak effect (varies with different materials). Normal diamagnetic materials alter the orbital velocity of electrons around their nuclei in the presence of an external magnetic field (thus changing the magnetic moment which gives the repulsion effect). Normal diamagnets have a magnetic permeability of less than 4π×10⁻⁷ V·s/(A·m) (μ₀, the magnetic permeability of free space). A superdiamagnet is a diamagnet with the complete absence of magnetic permeability (i.e. magnetic susceptibility of χ_v = -1). Superdiamagnetism is feature of superconductivity which occurs at really low temperatures (liquid nitrogen cold), called the Meissner effect. But the illusion of perfect diamagnetism in superconductors arises from persistent screening currents which flow to oppose the applied field; not soley the orbital spin.

My inquiry is this: how can we use the intrinsic diamagnetic property of humans and the earth's magnetosphere to create a magnetic susceptibility such that χ_v =< -1 and able to fluctuate under precise control?

 

[Thaklaar]

That's far too complicated. All it requires is developing the knack of throwing yourself at the ground and missing. Now, you must throw yourself at the ground properly, preferably from great height. You will, of course, almost certainly fail to miss the ground your first few tries. The trick lies in being distracted enough at the last second to forget that you really ought to be hitting the ground about then.

Now, on a side note, I am in possession of a suitably tall oak tree and the services of a more than suitably distracting an very accomodating young lady. The use of them may be acquired for the very reasonable sum of $500 an hour. PM me for details and remember, don't panic and always remember where your towel is.




R.I.P. Douglas

 

[Latro]

Proteins are NOT hydrocarbons.

 

[DesertSmeagle]

im sure one day they wll invent some kind of suit that lets you fly...Im certain of it. Within the next hundred years. Look how much technology changed in the past century..i cant even imagine what the future holds.

 

[Words]

Give up. There is no future. We will have to create a perception-based time machine that will let us travel towards the past. There is no hope; we will forever be contained in this cycle of 'subjective time'. But flight, in hydromajingle form, is a different matter...that I don't nothing contribute to.

 

[avanover]

Proteins are NOT hydrocarbons.

I know... what's your point exactly? Proteins are are organic compounds made of amino acids arranged in a linear chain and folded into a globular form. Hydrocarbons are organic compounds consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon. All amino acids have at least one substance other than hydrogen or carbon.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon

 

[avanover]

im sure one day they wll invent some kind of suit that lets you fly...Im certain of it. Within the next hundred years. Look how much technology changed in the past century..i cant even imagine what the future holds.

Who is going to be that "they" which you are referring to?

 

[avanover]

Give up. There is no future. We will have to create a perception-based time machine that will let us travel towards the past. There is no hope; we will forever be contained in this cycle of 'subjective time'. But flight, in hydromajingle form, is a different matter...that I don't nothing contribute to.

No future for you, but there will be for me. I'll operate the subjective time machines to create a matrix of fantasy perception for humans. The electrical activity produced by human brains will then be harvested for practical use in advanced. And I'll be a flying techno god. Eventually, I'll evolve into an incorporeal mega-brain imperialist colonizing the unknown macrocosm.

 

[Melllvar]

They've already done this with frogs, more or less:

YouTube - levitating frog

In any case, you'll either need an external magnetic field (besides the Earth's), like in the video, or some sort of suit/device to create it's own field or improve the diamagnetic properties. As for precise control, IIRC a strong enough magnetic field will cause the Meissner effect to disappear (not sure if this is true of all superconductors), and superconductors can be subdivided according to how the effect drops off (all at once at a certain threshold or gradually beyond a certain point). Using a material that allows for a gradual drop off in external field expulsion could allow you to fine-tune the repulsion to control your flight (somewhat).

It would be cooler to do it without some kind of suit, since assisted flight is sort of old news (with planes, base jumping, hang gliding, etc.). But that would probably require altering the electronic properties of all the water molecules in your body... good luck with that one.

I declare this idea interesting.

 

[Nerd.]

This really is a very interesting idea. However, our diamagnetic properties are being utilized in various systems within our bodies, and more precisely, our cells. If those properties were in anyway manipulated, or systems altered/interrupted, I can imagine it would end in death. Probably a painful one. At least some kind of very painful, possibly irreversible damage. But probably death. We're a lot more complex than a frog. Meaning, any amphibian can undergo and survive far more torture than any mammal. And the little frog looks rather unhealthy. Though, I don't imagine the frog was levitated using quite this concept. Poor froggy.

 

[Dormouse]

I'm a staunch believer in swallowing helium, actually.

This is interesting, but I doubt it would work on a grand scale. Firstly, how could we generate a field over a large enough expanse in order to let us travel anywhere? And how would humans move about in this kind of environment... As I understand it this mimics zero-g in some ways, at least in that we'd need to propel ourselves forward using jets of air or something.

That is, unless we had the source of the field move around beneath us. But then it would just be like a car that lets you float.

Nevermind, I know not what I'm talking about.

 

[Gather_Wanderer]

Yes! Just what I was looking for--I can't believe it--thinking from others and possible realization of my dreams of flying through space...though there's no atmosphere and a different physics requirement...Can we talk about this version too?

...Just thought of a Graham Chapman/Terry Jones sketch about flying lessons and pictured someone in here doing just that.

 

[avanover]

This really is a very interesting idea. However, our diamagnetic properties are being utilized in various systems within our bodies, and more precisely, our cells. If those properties were in anyway manipulated, or systems altered/interrupted, I can imagine it would end in death. Probably a painful one. At least some kind of very painful, possibly irreversible damage. But probably death. We're a lot more complex than a frog. Meaning, any amphibian can undergo and survive far more torture than any mammal. And the little frog looks rather unhealthy. Though, I don't imagine the frog was levitated using quite this concept. Poor froggy.

Can you be more specific? I'm unfamiliar with the utilization of diamagnetism within cells. Also, wouldn't a uniform manipulation of molecules allow for the cell's ability to be unaltered as if nothing ever happened?

 

[avanover]

They've already done this with frogs, more or less:

YouTube - levitating frog

In any case, you'll either need an external magnetic field (besides the Earth's), like in the video, or some sort of suit/device to create it's own field or improve the diamagnetic properties. As for precise control, IIRC a strong enough magnetic field will cause the Meissner effect to disappear (not sure if this is true of all superconductors), and superconductors can be subdivided according to how the effect drops off (all at once at a certain threshold or gradually beyond a certain point). Using a material that allows for a gradual drop off in external field expulsion could allow you to fine-tune the repulsion to control your flight (somewhat).

It would be cooler to do it without some kind of suit, since assisted flight is sort of old news (with planes, base jumping, hang gliding, etc.). But that would probably require altering the electronic properties of all the water molecules in your body... good luck with that one.

I declare this idea interesting.

Perhaps the technology could be built into everyday clothing? I know that "smart clothing" has been worked on for a while now. My other idea is that one could use a conscious thought to fly. The brain's electromagnetic field would be the medium which sends the information from the thought to the body's water molecules. So, perhaps we can assist evolution in some way to allow for this flying ability.

 

[avanover]

I'm a staunch believer in swallowing helium, actually.

This is interesting, but I doubt it would work on a grand scale. Firstly, how could we generate a field over a large enough expanse in order to let us travel anywhere? And how would humans move about in this kind of environment... As I understand it this mimics zero-g in some ways, at least in that we'd need to propel ourselves forward using jets of air or something.

That is, unless we had the source of the field move around beneath us. But then it would just be like a car that lets you float.

Nevermind, I know not what I'm talking about.

Well, up and down direction can be controlled by the strength of the repulsion. I've not yet thought about other direction. Perhaps if there is a repulsive inequalibrium to allow the body to turn? Not sure exactly. Right now I think the clothing idea is the most realistic since the body can stay in place and the field can be move to any position with some kind of control mechanism.

 

[Words]

I'm happy enough with this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2UNcK0PECs

 

[Nerd.]

Can you be more specific? I'm unfamiliar with the utilization of diamagnetism within cells. Also, wouldn't a uniform manipulation of molecules allow for the cell's ability to be unaltered as if nothing ever happened?

Okay, so diamagnetism is a force seen in nearly every organic molecule to some degree. And of course, this shouldn't be confused with proper magnetism. Like ferromagnetism. It's part of the molecular dynamic. Our bodies are designed to utilize (and likewise, protect against) the properties of water, and of other molecules. Osmosis, as well as other, more complex cellular communication, is a series of chemical reactions. These reactions depend upon all the properties of a given molecule to function.

In order to use diamagnetism in a way the ferromagnetism can be used, the molecules must act in a similar way. It messes with the polarization of the molecules involved. For non-living object, this a relatively straight forward thing.

Let's say, for example, that only molecules with a magnetic potential equal to, or greater than, that of water would be affected by some theoretical device. That would mean that every water molecule inside your body would instantly change to realign polarity with the magnetic moment. All activity involving every affected molecule would cease or react in unfortunate ways. This would result in an interruption or death the affected chemical system, and by proxy, everything up the chain. If enough molecules were to be polarized to make levitation possible, I can imagine that the person would be dead before his feet left the ground. Maybe some twitching and screaming. Like it seems that frog was doing. Should frogs scream. But that's it.

It's still a fun idea...

 

[avanover]

Okay, so diamagnetism is a force seen in nearly every organic molecule to some degree. And of course, this shouldn't be confused with proper magnetism. Like ferromagnetism. It's part of the molecular dynamic. Our bodies are designed to utilize (and likewise, protect against) the properties of water, and of other molecules. Osmosis, as well as other, more complex cellular communication, is a series of chemical reactions. These reactions depend upon all the properties of a given molecule to function.

In order to use diamagnetism in a way the ferromagnetism can be used, the molecules must act in a similar way. It messes with the polarization of the molecules involved. For non-living object, this a relatively straight forward thing.

Let's say, for example, that only molecules with a magnetic potential equal to, or greater than, that of water would be affected by some theoretical device. That would mean that every water molecule inside your body would instantly change to realign polarity with the magnetic moment. All activity involving every affected molecule would cease or react in unfortunate ways. This would result in an interruption or death the affected chemical system, and by proxy, everything up the chain. If enough molecules were to be polarized to make levitation possible, I can imagine that the person would be dead before his feet left the ground. Maybe some twitching and screaming. Like it seems that frog was doing. Should frogs scream. But that's it.

It's still a fun idea...

Isn't osmosis just a natural process of thermodynamic diffusion? Why would it require diamagnetism? Also, only the orbital spin of electrons are affected (and very slightly) in order to create a magnetic field which repulses the external one. The ionic properties of the molecules should be unaffected.

Thank you for the reply. The last thing I would want to do is kill myself in a levitation experiment, lol. So I want to make sure I understand this all correctly.

 

[DarkGreen]

ooh ooh! i know! get your polar opposite magnetic signature and make tons of it. shove it somewhere in the desert and walk over it. you migt be polarized enough to float but only as far as the magnetic strip goes so don't go overboard! you might eat dirt.

 

[Nerd.]

Isn't osmosis just a natural process of thermodynamic diffusion? Why would it require diamagnetism? Also, only the orbital spin of electrons are affected (and very slightly) in order to create a magnetic field which repulses the external one. The ionic properties of the molecules should be unaffected.

Thank you for the reply. The last thing I would want to do is kill myself in a levitation experiment, lol. So I want to make sure I understand this all correctly.

I could be wrong. I don't know everything. Just a few things. And it's been a while. I just don't understand how any change in the orbital spin of the electrons could occur without having an impact on everything else. It seems like a small thing, but subtle changes can lead to big differences. And there is still the magnetic moment. If you're still alive, will you tell me how it worked?

 

[avanover]

I could be wrong. I don't know everything. Just a few things. And it's been a while. I just don't understand how any change in the orbital spin of the electrons could occur without having an impact on everything else. It seems like a small thing, but subtle changes can lead to big differences. And there is still the magnetic moment. If you're still alive, will you tell me how it worked?

Haha, well I want to make sure it works BEFORE I try it. Indeed small things can have big impacts but they can also leave everything unaffected if it acts as a substitute. I once heard about possibility of DNA with different substance. I don't remember what it was but it was toxic to us and could provide the same structure for a nucleotide. So it's possible that an alien species or a shadow biosphere could have the same structure with a different substance and there would be no change because the structure is the only part that matters. So perhaps it's the same concept here. I REALLY REALLY want this to be able to work. Guess I'll have to do some research.