Experimental Null test of a Mach Effect Thruster

TL;DR

This paper reports an experimental test of the Mach Effect Thruster, demonstrating that the predicted thrust disappears when symmetrical masses are used, supporting the theory that the device's thrust is real and can be nullified.

Contribution

First experimental null test of the Mach Effect Thruster confirming the theoretical prediction that symmetrical mass arrangements eliminate thrust.

Findings

Thrust disappears with symmetrical mass setup

Experimental apparatus based on a sensitive thrust balance

Supports the Mach Effect theory of thrust generation

Abstract

The Mach Effect Thruster (MET) is a device which utilizes fluctuations in the rest masses of accelerating objects (capacitor stacks, in which internal energy changes take place) to produce a steady linear thrust. The theory has been given in detail elsewhere [1, 2] and references therein, so here we discuss only an experiment. We show how to obtain thrust using a heavy reaction mass at one end of our capacitor stack and a lighter end cap on the other. Then we show how this thrust can be eliminated by having two heavy masses at either end of the stack with a central mounting bracket. We show the same capacitor stack being used as a thruster and then eliminate the thrust by arranging equal brass masses on either end, so that essentially the capacitor stack is trying to push in both directions at once. This arrangement in theory would only allow for a small oscillation but no net thrust. We find the thrust does indeed disappear in the experiment, as predicted. The device (in thruster mode) could in principle be used for propulsion [1, 2]. Experimental apparatus based on a very sensitive thrust balance is briefly described. The experimental protocol employed to search for expected Mach effects is laid out, and the results of this experimental investigation are described.