[NewCandle] New stuff for new year?

[Kyle R. Mcallister]

Keith Nagel wrote:
> Hi Kyle,
> 
> How do you intend to extract power from an electret? You can
> move it w/ respect to a capacitor, but this is the analog
> of an ordinary generator ( pm and coil ) so the result will
> be power derived from the mechanical energy.

I don't know. I don't even know if this _is_ an electret. I assume it 
must be, or something similar, but the general gist of Brown's (limited) 
documentation is that some electric current can be extracted. I have no 
idea how or why it works, or even if it does...probably doesn't, but few 
seem to have tried it.

> I did a very little bit of work with electrets; at the time
> I was inspired by a nice little column of CL Strongs. I looked
> for it in my files this morning, no dice, but fortunately
> the 'tubez have luv 4 U.
> 
> http://only1egg-productions.org/AltSci/ElectrostaticMotors/Electrets/Electre
> t.html
> 
> You might try the common plastic polypropylene. Not sure
> if the barium titanate will help you, as the stuff does
> not melt. Ammonium nitrate is dangerous to work with, it
> can be melted but can also explode and in addition produces
> nitrous oxide (great fun, but might exacerbate your vertigo).

I used to make rocket fuel with ammonium nitrate, magnesium dust, and 
HTPB binder. Yes, I am somewhat crazy. But I don't do that any more, 
even though I never got hurt doing it.

As far as I understand, and much of this is guesswork, the active 
ingredient (litharge, ammonium nitrate, tungsten carbide, etcetera) is 
not ever melted. Just bound in something else which melts or hardens, 
while the field is applied. I guess this isn't really an electret, then, 
but some other animal. Like I said, probably it doesn't work, but it 
should be easy to test it.

> On a personal note; Buffalo in winter is basically the
> American version of Siberia. Have you considered moving
> elsewhere? You sound more acclimated to equatorial climates.
> Also, do you drink coffee?
> 

Yeah, the high today was 2F. As far as moving...that's a complicated 
story. Many ties of a personal nature keeping me here, plus I sort of 
ran away from some things back home. I like the warmth better, but high 
temperatures negatively affect me as well.
I drink coffee every few days, I suppose. Not every single day, nor more 
than once per day. Is there a benefit?

--Kyle