Our Science

Relativity and control theory for Robotic exploration of the universe

The primary objective of this effort is to create a set of engineering design curves as applied to the general problem of telerobotics for space exploration. In particular, the engineering design curves will address the total amount of information needed / available to perform a telerobotic mission as a function of the robotic system’s on-board processing power / capabilities, its communication bandwidth / communication system, the time delay during operations (including blackouts) and the probability of error / failure modes for the given system. These engineering design curves shall then be used to assess the various telerobotic design concepts / architectures as a method for selecting those technologies with the most promise for achieving advanced telerobotic missions with a given c-SWaP (cost, size, weight and power) associated with the various classes of NASA’s science missions

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Universal Damping Coefficients, an electron beam experiment on the ISS

Assuming a zero-G (gravity) scenario (e.g. on board the International Space Station), consider a single electron trapped inside a negatively charged box. At rest, the electron will remain in the middle of the box equally repelled from all sides. Now assume the box is shaking in a manner that the election begins to vibrate (rattle) inside the box. Question 1) could you ever get the election to vibrate, or would it move in perfect harmony with the box? Question 2) if you were able to get the election to vibrate, would it continue to vibrate forever, or would its oscillations slowly dampen out once the box stops shaking? Question 3) if the election’s oscillations did slowly dampen out, why?

This thought exercise / zero-G experiment addressed the potential existence of a universal dampening coefficient. This universal dampening coefficient would extend Newtons first law (a body in motion stays in motion) for objects in non-linear (oscillatory) motion.

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Universal Control theory (a twin turbo approach)

The art of control theory is knowing what to include and what to leave out of the system design. These are things that are not easily known. Often times mathematical models are constructed for the system to be controlled, and these models are developed and modified using prior experience with similar systems. It is not an exact science, and one is never sure if they are truly sensing what needs to be monitored or correctly reacting to the changes in one’s environment.

Our Universal Control Theory (UControlT) research focuses on methods for optimizing: 1) system sensing, 2) system reactions, & 3) system feedback. This general approach relies less on system mathematical models and more on determining the key characteristics of the system. Because these key characteristics are continuously monitored, the system responses can be modified to account for unexpected changes in the environment, system aging / degradation and system faults.

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Genetic / DNA based Feedback systems

With the mapping of the human genome, and the many advances made in cellular / micro-biology, a slow but steady understanding of how our DNA creates us (and maintains us) is coming to light. Unfortunately, the DNA processes are not straight forward. Many of the body’s control processes are statistical in nature, utilizing feedback control that has probabilistic outcomes (ranges of likelihood to happen). Furthermore, the DNA processes are not linear. Portions of the same control process can and are used in different ways during different environmental situations and at different times in a life cycle. Finally, the overall DNA control process has a self-building / creation architecture (much like the “boot” process of common computers) where layers of new control systems are put into place only after prior ones have become operational. While complex, all these control processes can be effectively and efficiently modeled numerically to provide significant insight as to how our DNA creates us from simple molecules / atoms.

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Relativity Based Warp drive Systems

The argument that nothing can travel faster than the speed of light is one of the most misunderstood concepts associated with the theory of relativity. The theory simply implies that there is a singularity that occurs at the speed of light, nothing more. The theory of relativity’s equations work just fine for things traveling faster than the speed of light. In the related theory of guided waves, the phase velocity (Vp) “energy” multiplied by the group velocity (Vg) “matter” equals the speed of light squared. When taken independently, both (Vp) and (Vg) are exactly equal to the speed of light. However, when guided, (Vp) becomes greater than the speed of light, and (Vg) becomes less than the speed of light such that, their product is always equal to the speed of light squared. Thus, to create objects that travel faster than the speed of light, guided wave structures must be created such that (Vp) becomes less than the speed of light, and (Vg) becomes greater than the speed of light. So how can these guided wave structures be created?

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Electrons, Protons and the Strong Force (an EM Wave based Prospective)

Wave / particle duality is one of the better-known issues in current day physics. The fact that a particle (normally an electron) displays both point-mass and wave-like behavior can be troubling. Furthermore, there is not a clear definition for when a given particle is to be modeled as a point-mass, and when it is to be modeled as a wavefront. One way to address this contradiction is to look at how the problem is formulated. A point-mass is well a point mass, and a wavefront is considered to be made up of either propagating or standing waves. Propagating waves are used to model problems such as the famous electron 2-slit experiments, and standing waves are used to model electron orbits and their behavior in condensed matter / solids. However, there is a third type of wave (a non-propagating wave) known as an evanescent wave. Though rigorously studied mathematically, these waves are rarely considered in common physics’ formulations. Notably, they are used to explain / model total internal reflection of light. All three types of these waves are related to one another by the propagation coefficient (k). Hence, by adjusting the value of (k), from real to imaginary to complex, the three wave types neatly transform into one another. Thus, if a point mass is modeled by a series of evanescent wave-fronts, the particle wave duality issue is removed, and replaced with a complete set of wave functions. The values of (k) for each set of wave functions is simply determined by the given problems boundary conditions. Thus, solving for the appropriate values of (k) determines if the particle will act more like a point-mass or a wavefront (or something in between). This also provides a continuous transition from point-mass to wavefront, eliminating the “sometimes it is a wave, sometimes it is a particle” issue.

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R4 Physics (the missing dimensions)

While X^2 (x-squared) physics is commonly taught at both the high school and college level, X^4 (x-to the fourth power) physics remains an abstract and specialized field of study. Concepts such as Power, Energy (and their related concepts of Work and Momentum) all represent some version of X^2 physics. The multiple solution spaces associated with these concepts are generally understood and accepted. However, concepts such as Thermal Radiation, Relativity and Radar allow for much more complex solutions as they are X^4 based formulations. Their X^4 solution spaces are not commonly understood and present and opportunity for novel advances in the current state of physics including particle / wave duality.

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self catalyzing chemicals & DNA molds

Self-catalyzing chemicals are critical to life due to their ability to initiate and perpetuate chemical reactions. Catalysts, including self-catalyzing molecules, play a fundamental role in sustaining the complex processes that drive biological systems. Their mechanisms of action involve lowering the activation energy and facilitating reactions, thereby enabling the efficient synthesis of essential biomolecules. The regulation of catalysts, including self-catalyzing molecules, ensures the proper functioning and balance of these reactions within living organisms. The study of self-catalyzing molecules has far-reaching implications in fields such as chemistry, biochemistry, and medicine, contributing to advancements in synthetic methodologies, our understanding of the origins of life, and the development of therapeutic strategies. By unraveling the mysteries of self-catalysis, we deepen our appreciation of the intricate mechanisms that underpin life itself.

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the physics of vitamin D (Life & the Vitamin D process)

Vitamin D, often referred to as the "sunshine vitamin," holds a distinctive position among other vitamins due to its remarkable synthesis mechanism and the pivotal role it plays in various bodily functions. Vitamin D's distinctiveness stems from its ability to be synthesized within the body through exposure to sunlight. Unlike other vitamins that are solely obtained through diet, vitamin D offers a unique pathway for its production. Controlling the rate of vitamin D production involves a complex interplay of many factors. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that exists in two primary forms: vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). While both forms can be obtained through certain dietary sources, vitamin D3 is predominantly synthesized in the human body. The synthesis process, triggered by UVB radiation, transforms a compound in the skin into vitamin D3, which is subsequently converted into its active form for various physiological functions. The ability of the skin to convert sunlight into a vital nutrient showcases the intricate relationship between humans and their environment.

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