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Alternative Renewable Energy Research–Misguided Priorities
In a recent op-ed piece in the New York Times, Thomas Friedman talks about how we are missing the boat on making miniscule investments in energy research, and talking about how big those investments are.
But if you’ve been following our work on this website on researching true alternatives to renewable energy technology, you know just how little money we need to prove that the basic tenet of the second law of thermodynamics is based more on human intuition than scientific fact. We have of course applied for Arpa-E grants, but have been turned down, in favor of better battery technologies, carbon sequestration and grid management.
Is it not worth even a measly $1million to see whether we might be right?
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Microprocessor Cooling Tech Talk
Perpetual Computing with Perfect Cooling:
Through the Thermodynamic Looking Glass
Daniel Sheehan, Jeff Wright
Paradigm Energy Research Corporation
Proposal for talk at Google in Santa Monica
Heat generation in microprocessors and other information processing systems have become increasingly serious problems. At their root are the energy inefficiencies imposed by the second law of thermodynamics. Over the past 15 years, more than two dozen distinct challenges to this law have been published in the mainstream scientific literature — over 60 papers, and multiple books and conference proceedings — suggesting that the second law might fail under certain circumstances. If this law can be circumvented, in principle, the heat generation problem for information processing systems could be solved.
This talk will give a brief review of the second law, its relation to the heat generation problem, and an overview of recent second law challenges. A promising silicon-based technology will be considered in more detail, one that has recently received strong corroboration from laboratory experiments. Prospects for its implementation in perpetual computation with perfect cooling will be discussed.
Selected References
- Capek, V. and Sheehan, D.P., Challenges to the Second Law of Thermodynamics: Theory and Experiment; Springer (2005).
- Sheehan, D.P., Wright, J.H., Putnam, A.R., and Perttu, E.K., Intrinsically biased, resonant NEMS-MEMS oscillator and the second law of thermodynamics; Physica E 29, 87-99 (2005).
Speakers
Daniel P. Sheehan received a B.S. in chemistry (Santa Clara University, 1981) and a Ph.D. in physics (U.C. Irvine, 1987); he has taught at University of San Diego since 1989 and has pursued the foundations of thermodynamics since 1990.
Jeffrey H. Wright received a B.S. in electrical engineering (U.C. Davis, 1982) and a Ph.D. in applied mathematics (U.C. Berkeley, 1999). They have worked together on silicon-based second law challenges since 2000, and jointly formed Paradigm Energy Research Corporation in 2007 to support this research.
September 2010
Research
This summer two major research milestones were reached: a) predicted diodic electric fields were experimentally verified; and b) the fields were shown to be dischargeable and rechargeable. These are the two most critical physical requirements for our proposed second law device. The experimental results are currently being worked up for journal publications. We believe we are now in a position to design and fabricate a bona fide second law violator.
On August 1, Sheehan met with our nano-fabricator (Dr. Nihat Okulan, Advanced NanoStructures) to discuss the next experimental devices. Like the previous one, this design phase is expected to last at least 2-3 months and perhaps longer, due to the greater complexity and diversity of experiments on this next silicon chip.
Grants and Fundraising
Paradigm’s micro-fundraising efforts continue. Wright made preliminary forays into web advertising (at http://www.Reddit.com)to ’test the waters.’ Apparently, the waters are both curious and somewhat hostile. The goal of our website will be to engage and educate web visitors, and to solicit small ’research grants.’ Sheehan met with the Office of Sponsored Programs at USD to enlist their help in finding new funding streams; a few leads developed.
How might life be different?
- How would life be different now if Columbus had believed people when they told him he couldn’t sail over the edge of the ocean?
- How would life be different now if the Wright Brothers had believed people who said flying machines couldn’t happen?
- How different would life now if Darwin had not been willing to look at the evolution of species and put aside the dogma of the religious doctrine of the day?
- How different would life be now if Einstein hadn’t conceived of different ways of thinking about light?
- How would life be different now if early chemists had gone with the prevailing doctrine at the time of the steam engines which was the earth was made of earth, air fire and water?
- How much different would life be if discoveries made since 1850s had not been made because people hadn’t been willing to question what was true at the time?
- How much different would life be now without the transistor and semiconductor electronics that we’ve come to rely on so completely in our society – that 60 years ago didn’t even exist?
- How much different would life be now if we didn’t have electron microscopes and the ability to probe the tiniest pieces of matter to understand how things are?
- How different would life be now if we weren’t willing to question beyond the apparent surface of things?
Second Law Challenge – A Solid State Experiment
In this clip, Daniel explains the thought experiment that forms the basis for our challenge to the Second Law. If you understand what a P-N junction is, you will understand the concept.
Thermodynamics Defined
Daniel describes how thermodynamics connects heat, energy and matter. He lists the three laws of thermodynamics.
August 2010 – More Success!
Research
In July, another major milestone was reached in our second law research. Recall that in June experimental evidence for the diodic electric fields critical to Paradigm technology was established at the Stanford University Nanocharacterization Lab (SNL). Two standard, state-of-the-art techniques – electric field microscopy (EFM) and scanning Kelvin probe microscopy (SKPM) – verified intense electric field gradients and electrostatic potentials in the vacuum gaps. The locations, magnitudes, and behavior of the fields were in good agreement with theoretical and numerical predictions.
In July, Sheehan traveled twice to Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies (CINT) at Sandia National Labs and extended the Stanford results with our 2-D chips using SKPM. The most important – the 2-D movable diodic cantilevers – required a custom micro-pressure apparatus to actuate.
Whereas the June results established the existence and magnitudes of static diodic electric fields, the July findings demonstrated that they not only can be varied in magnitude by varying the gap widths, but that they can be discharged and then recharged again to their full strengths. This implies that the cantilevers should be able to dynamically rebuild their electric fields during their operation. This finding overcomes the next most common technical objection to our second law device. Our 2-D chip has now served its purpose and verified the basic physics of static and dynamic diodic fields. It will not be studied further except perhaps to shore up results for academic articles, which we expect to write over the next several months.
Over July we discovered and have begun to theoretically develop a new embodiment of our second law technology that we expect will the object of our next experiments. Sheehan is working on theory and experimental designs; Wright has begun numerical simulations. In principle, this should be a bona fide second law violator. Sheehan will meet with our nanofabricator, Dr. Okulan (Advanced Nanostructures), on August 1 for preliminary discussions of its fabrication.
Sheehan submitted to the journal Micro and Nanosystems a manuscript entitled, ”Bottom-up approach to nanoscale electrostatic potentials and fields: Theory and applications.” This introduces the broader implications of diodic electric fields for a number of nanotechnological applications. The manuscript ”Hammering with the quantum vacuum” is no longer under review at Nature and has been submitted to Physical Review A.
Grants and Fundraising
Paradigm’s micro-fundraising efforts continue. Wright expects to open our website in the next month or two. Its objectives are to engage and educate web visitors, and to solicit small ’research grants.’
July 2010 – SUCCESS!!
Research
June was a successful month. The fabrication of our two-dimensional silicon diodic structures were completed in late May. The dies were examined by Sheehan at UC Santa Barbara’s nanofabrication lab on Friday, May 28.
The final devices were delivered to Paradigm by Advanced NanoStructures in early June. The experimental suite consists of three sub-experiments: (a) straight diodic vacuum gaps; (b) static 2-D diodic cantilevers that are 2-D mimics of our desired full 3-D devices; and (c) movable 2-D diodic cantilevers. Microexamination indicates that the fabrication was a success.
Paradigm second law technology is premised on the existence of microscopic electric fields that arise from semiconductor diodes. These were predicted theoretically about 10 years ago (Found. Phys. 32 1557 (2002); Physica E 29 87 (2005)) and subsequently verified by commercial semiconductor simulation codes (e.g., Silvaco International). Our thesis met stiff resistance from the scientific community with the claim that if such electric fields existed, then second law violation would be probable. Furthermore, despite the strong theoretical and numerical support for the fields, there was no explicit experimental evidence for them.
On June 22, experimental evidence for these critical electric fields was found. Experimental measurements were made of the straight diodic vacuum gaps at the Stanford University Nanocharacterization Lab (SNL). Working with a Park Instruments XE-100 Scanning Probe Microscope, Sheehan and a Stanford materials science Ph.D. student used two standard, state-of-the-art techniques – electric field microscopy (EFM) and scanning Kelvin probe microscopy (SKPM) – to measure intense electric field gradients and electrostatic potentials in the vacuum gaps. The locations, magnitudes, and behavior of the fields were in good agreement with theoretical and numerical predictions.
By no means does this experiment represent a second law violation, but it is a major milestone since now theory, numerical simulation, and experiment mutually support the existence of these critical electric fields. The primary scientific objections to this technology have been refuted.
Sheehan will travel to Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies (CINT) at Sandia National Labs the week of July 5 to check and extend the Stanford results. It is hoped that all experiments on our silicon chip can be run. The most illuminating – the 2-D movable diodic cantilevers – requires a custom micro-pressure apparatus to actuate. Sheehan is attempting to build it before the CINT trip. Meanwhile, we continue to investigate leads for use of a Kelvin probe nearby in San Diego. A colleague in The Netherlands has recently ordered a top-end AFM with Kelvin probe capabilities for this research, but this option will not be available until the end of the summer at the earliest. Sheehan is also investigating possibilities at UC San Diego.
Sheehan and a recently graduated physics major, Samuel Nogami, submitted a paper to the journal Nature regarding a new application of the Casimir effect (Hamaker hammering): a means to heat materials at the nanoscale through pure vacuum. (A copy of the manuscript is available on request, with the requirement that it not be circulated.) This is an extension of our work on Casimir chemistry on which Paradigm holds a provisional patent.
Grants and Fundraising
Paradigm’s micro-fundraising effort is building steam. Over the last two months Wright has assembled a team consisting of writer (Patricia Kutza), videographer (Beth Stiner), and developer (Jennifer Mencher) to build a web-based fundraising platform, describing Paradigm’s research and technology for incorporation in an online series of tutorials covering the history, science, and politics of the second law. The objectives are to engage and educate web visitors, and to solicit small ’research grants.’
June 2010
Research
The fabrication of our two-dimensional silicon diodic structures has been completed. The dies were examined by Sheehan at UC Santa Barbara’s nanofabrication lab on Friday, May 28. Our fabricator, Dr. Nihat Okulan (Advanced NanoStructures) plans to ship the dies at the end of this week after their final cleaning.
The experimental suite consists of three sub-experiments: (a) straight diodic vacuum gaps; (b) static 2-D diodic cantilevers that are 2-D mimics of our desired full 3-D devices; and (c) movable 2-D diodic cantilevers. Please see the attached electron micrographs and the Appendix for details (tif files 1-4). 
Microexamination indicates that sub-experiments (a) and (b) were created within design parameters, while (c) is problematic, appearing to suffer compressional stress in the oxide layer of the SOI wafer, which seems to have warped the final free-standing silicon structures. The dies will be thermally annealed in an attempt to solve this problem with (c). Overall, the fabrication appears to be a success. Specifically, parts (a) and (b) should be sufficient to test for the existence of the intrinsic electric field upon which our technology depends. Our primary diagnostic for this will be an AFM-Kelvin probe.
We have several leads for possible use of a Kelvin probe, both in the near and long term. In the short term, we have been offered (gratis) a short experimental run at the Stanford Nanocharacterization Lab (SNL). A visit is being arranged. Sheehan is also waiting to hear from colleagues at [company name withheld] who might arrange access at one of their fabrication labs. Another colleague in The Netherlands is currently in the process of purchasing of a top-end AFM with Kelvin probe capabilities, but this option will not be available until the end of the summer at the earliest. Sheehan is investigating possibilities closer to home as well, with colleagues at nearby UC San Diego.
Grants and Fundraising
Wright has assembled a team consisting of writer (Patricia Kutza), videographer (Beth Stiner), and developer (Jennifer Mencher) to build a web-based fundraising platform. They are currently annotating six hours of professionally recorded videos of Sheehan describing Paradigm’s research and technology for incorporation in an online series of tutorials covering the history, science, and politics of the second law. The objectives are to engage and educate web visitors, and to solicit small ’research grants.’
Last August, Paradigm teamed with [company name withheld] to submit an RFI (white paper) in support of a proposed $ 5M grant application for energy-related research under Department of the Navy’s solicitation N0002409R4225: ”Maritime Energy Reduction Opportunities.” We have been told recently by [company name withheld] colleagues that the Navy continues to consider its options.
May 2010
Research
After an initial stage of fabrication at UC Santa Barbara in early April, our silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers (with suites of two-dimensional diodic structures) were sent out for coating with n-type poly-silicon, followed by planarization. (Micrographs of early-stage production steps were supplied with the April 2010 report.) The coated/planarized wafers are expected to be returned this week to our fabricator, Dr. Nihat Okulan (Advanced NanoStructures), who expects to complete the chip fabrication in early May. Laboratory work is scheduled to begin in late May, once our teaching obligations are completed.
We continue to explore leads in the US and overseas for the key SKPM diagnostic for our experiments by which measurements of surface electrostatic potentials will be made.
Articles and Manuscripts
Two manuscripts entitled, “Infrared Stealth, Cloaking, and the Second Law of Thermodynamics,” and ”A Bottom-Up Approach to Nanoscale Electrostatic Potentials and Fields: Theory and Applications” are nearly complete. These manuscripts showcase applications and stake intellectual claims to Paradigm’s second law technology.
Grants and Fundraising
Wright has assembled a team consisting of writer (Patricia Kutza), videographer (Beth Stiner), and developer (Jennifer Mencher) to build a web-based fundraising platform. Using archival and new footage of interviews with Sheehan and Wright, as well as producing new animations depicting the second law and its surrounding paradigm, the objective is to engage web visitors and solicit small ’research grants.’
Paradigm continues to await news on the Department of the Navy’s solicitation N0002409R4225: ”Maritime Energy Reduction Opportunities.”
April 2010
Research
The silicon chips with suites of two-dimensional diodic structures are now being fabricated at UC Santa Barbara. (Please see attached micrographs of early-stage production steps: ParadigmMarch25Fabrication.xls.) These chips will be used to test the key physical processes behind our second law device technology. Our fabricator, Dr. Nihat Okulan (Advanced NanoStructures) expects to complete the chips by early May, 2010. Experiments will gear up after our teaching semester ends in late May.
We continue to explore leads in the US and overseas for the key diagnostic for our experiments – a Scanning Kelvin Probe Microscope (SKPM) – by which measurements of surface electrostatic potentials will be made.
Articles and Manuscripts
Our recent article ”Casimir Chemistry” (D.P. Sheehan, J. Chem. Phys. 31, 104706 (2009)) was chosen by the editors of JCP as one of their top articles from 2009. (Please see attached file: JCP-EditorChoice2009.pdf.) Recall that Paradigm was recently granted a provisional US patent on the Casimir chemistry concept.
The manuscript entitled, “Infrared Stealth, Cloaking, and the Second Law of Thermodynamics,” is awaiting production of its figures. Another manuscript, ”Endogenous Electric Fields: A Bottom-Up Approach to Intense Nanoscale Electrostatic Fields” is currently being written. Both manuscripts showcase applications of Paradigm’s second law technology.
Grants and Fundraising
Paradigm continues to await news on the Department of the Navy’s solicitation N0002409R4225: ”Maritime Energy Reduction Opportunities.”