Jeremiah Popp presents a detailed overview of various “Gradient Field Drives” which are claimed to produce reactionless propulsion by means of electric field gradients, and examines designs by Thomas Townsend Brown, Jean-Claude Lafforgue, Athanassios Nassikas, Jean-Louis Naudin, Alex Frolov, Terence Bates, Richard Banduric, and NASA. He compares the design principles used in all of these devices, and the various advantages & limitations of each design.

This presentation details ongoing research into reactionless electric field thrusters and gradient field drives, a technology dating back to T.T. Brown (1928) but lacking commercial applications. Popp reviews modern versions of historical designs, highlighting the work of inventors on asymmetric capacitors and inhomogeneous electromagnetic fields. Various designs and theories are compared, emphasizing the importance of asymmetric electrodes and high-K dielectrics. Experimental results from replicating several designs (including those by Froloff, La Forge, and T.T. Brown) are presented, along with challenges like electrostatic interference and dielectric breakdown.

Jeremiah Popp discusses his own experiments using high-K dielectrics (CCTO, Lead magnesium niobate, etc.), a high-impulse generator, and novel designs like a static displacement field drive, showing promising, albeit preliminary, results. The presentation concludes by emphasizing the importance of empirical evidence over theoretical elegance and encouraging further investigation into unusual experimental observations in the field.

A Brief History and the Pioneers

The story begins in 1928 with T.T. Brown’s pioneering work. While commercially viable products remain elusive, significant advancements have been made since 1989. This presentation explores the contributions of several key figures:

• Terence Bates: Focused on electrostatic field equations and asymmetric capacitors.
• Douglas Torr: Investigated inhomogeneous electromagnetic fields and their potential for gravitational thrust.
• Athanassios Nassikas: Another significant contributor whose work helped shape our understanding of gradient field drives.
• Jean-Louis Naudin: His experiments with foam and air dielectrics highlighted the crucial role of asymmetry in generating thrust.

How Do They Work?

These devices typically employ high K/high mass and low K/low mass dielectrics sandwiched between electrodes. The asymmetry in the dielectric materials and the application of high voltages are key to generating a thrust. While several theories exist to explain the underlying mechanism (including those proposed by Bates, Tor, Brown, and SECAs), they all agree on the importance of asymmetric electrodes/dielectrics, the relationship between higher K values and greater force, and the utilization of gradient fields.

Experimental Challenges and Breakthroughs

One major hurdle is accurately measuring the thrust produced by these devices. Electrostatic forces can easily mask the subtle effects being investigated. The presentation details the use of a Faraday insulated scale setup to minimize these external influences.

Several designs were tested, including:

• Alexander Frolov’s gradient field drive: While showing minimal thrust (<0.1g) in one test, other labs have reported small forces. Air dielectrics proved unsuitable.
• Jean-Claude Lafforgue’s directional thruster: Showed promising 2g thrust spikes but suffered from dielectric breakdown.
• T.T. Brown-style tapered dielectric thruster: Produced a weak 0.05g thrust.
• T.T. Brown’s electrokinetic apparatus: Demonstrated a measurable upward force, suggesting the validity of Brown’s original patent.

The presentation also covers the work of:

• Jonathan Campbell (NASA): His patents on asymmetrical capacitor thrust devices highlight the ongoing debate about ionic versus direct forces.
• Hector Serrano (Gravitec): His company is actively developing a new thruster (SFV Gen 3) nearing testing.
• Richard Banduric (Fuel Propulsion Technologies): His work on propellantless propulsion using electrodynamic fields has garnered multiple patents and DARPA contracts.

Current Research and Future Directions

The speaker is actively involved in replicating and advancing this technology. Their current research includes:

• Utilizing high K dielectrics (like CCTO, Lead magnesium niobate, and Calcium copper titanate) to potentially create self-lifting power supplies.
• Building a prototype electric field thruster using readily available materials (stainless steel, epoxy, CCTO), achieving a significant dielectric radius ratio and K factor.
• Collaborating with other labs on different designs.
• Investigating Richard Faiman’s theory on reactionless force.
• Developing an electrodynamic displacement current tractor panel capable of attracting both insulators and conductors.
• Studying the “invisible force” from high-voltage discharges, drawing parallels to a 3M incident involving a high-voltage conveyor belt.
• Investigating the Boyd Bushman magnetic beam amplifier experiment and finding inconsistencies with his claims.
• Developing a static displacement field drive prototype, overcoming initial challenges with material selection and power supply integration. This involves creating specialized dot product and cross product disks.

Conclusion: A Path Forward

The field of reactionless electric field thrusters is filled with both challenges and exciting possibilities. While much remains unknown, ongoing research and experimentation, coupled with a willingness to explore unconventional phenomena, offer a glimmer of hope for a future beyond the limitations of traditional rocket propulsion. The speaker’s emphasis on rigorous experimentation and attention to detail underscores the importance of empirical evidence in this fascinating and potentially revolutionary field.