Atmospheric pressure is a well-understood science: how air moves in various conditions has been applied with precision in a diversity of fields, from Formula One racing to meteorology to aeronautics. Looking at how air molecules themselves behave within the larger system, we hypothesize, could be the key to sustainable energy.
In every introduction we have made to academics regarding AME, the immediate questions surrounded whether or not our theory was in violation of the laws of thermodynamics. The discussions have generally proceeded as such:
WHAT IS AME AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
The simplest answer is actually a question, so bear with me. If I had a box that contained hundreds of equally spaced partitions or layers, and each of these layers had millions of funnel-shaped holes through them roughly the size of a single air molecule:
- Would non-symmetrical holes that small, actually create a preferred direction of flow? (will a 180o entrance angle on one end and <180o on the other result in a greater chance for a molecule to be on one side as opposed to the other?) Secondly,
- If all the funnel-shaped holes were facing in the same direction, would it be rational to say that with each subsequent layer there should be more molecules than the layer before? and lastly,
- If the above statements proved true, over the course of X amount of layers, can we achieve a great enough pressure difference to perform meaningful work? i.e. turn a turbine to generate electricity?
Side view, single micro-cavity
IT WOULD SEEM THAT YOU ARE GETTING SOMETHING FOR NOTHING, A VIOLATION OF THE 1ST LAW. HOW IS THIS NOT PERPETUAL MOTION? (Brownian Ratchet : Atmos Clock)
To say AME doesn’t have a fuel source is inaccurate. Like photovoltaics, AME relies entirely on the sun, the difference simply being that AME, theoretically, captures a wider spectrum of its energy output. The sun is the singular source of energy by which air molecules are in constant motion; this motion dictates pressure and temperature on the planet, and it is that motion which AME proposes to use. So in theory, the colder the climate, the less output.
WOULDN’T AME BE DISCHARGING HEAT FROM A SOURCE TO A SINK WITHOUT EXTERNAL WORK? WHILE BOTH THE SOURCE AND SINK ARE AT THE SAME TEMPERATURE? THAT IS A VIOLATION OF THE 2ND LAW.
The easiest way to explain this is to imagine our “box” with their two opposite ends opened up, essentially exposing the top of the first layer, and bottom of the last. In reality, we know for certain that there will be roughly 1022 air molecules/liter constantly pushing against the first layer; and if our hypothesis is correct, the geometry of our funnel-shaped through holes should move these molecules (heat/ energy) disproportionally from one side to the other, creating higher compression and temperature, which is then discharged back into the atmosphere, or turbine after the last layer.
BUT EVEN SO, AIR AT IT’S MOLECULAR LEVEL IS CHAOTIC, RANDOM. THERE ISN’T ANY WAY TO PREDICT A MOLECULE’S TRAJECTORY. HOW DO YOU ADDRESS THIS?
We have talked about this a great deal as well, and provided the answer comes only with experimentation, we believe there are a variety of factors that make a strong case for our hypothesis, the most important being that air molecules exist in Avogadro’s Number (6 x 1023 in a given volume of gas). Avogadro’s Number is important because it eliminates the need to accurately project the trajectory of an air molecule: in essence, there are so many molecules in any given space every possible trajectory will be realized. It boils down to whether the concept of our “layers” being able to create the phenomenon of preferred flow.
HOW DO YOU PROPOSE VALIDATING YOUR HYPOTHESIS?
Fabrication of AME can be achieved using MEMs (micro electro-mechanical systems), and a specialized anisotropic wet etch process.
After fabrication of the primary layers, outer casing, dust filtration, and air-intake system, we would use pressure gauges to validate the concept. This will provide the necessary answers regarding how much, if any, pressure is being generated from the AME unit dubbed 01: A stack of 100 4 or 6” silicon wafers, each with more than 1.026 x 106 pyramidal holes etched through them. This will be our control unit, and it will be the framework for manufacturing to larger power-consumption needs. After blueprinting the pressure output of 01, we can then answer the question of what that means in terms of electricity. We will develop a turbine system testing AME’s ability to perform meaningful work, and dependent on outcome, will begin investigating smaller applications to replace chemical batteries.
If we do in fact measure an increase in pressure, the concept is then proven, and we need only increase the surface area of the layers to produce more force. The turbine system is to demonstrate a finished product, a miniature power plant.
