"slashdot usually is pretty reputable....
A) Is there something there?
B) Is the U.S. really spending money on it?
Anyone heard of this?"
I read about this on slashdot yesterday. This proposal is a laughingstock
on slashdot. Writers to slashdot unanimously ridiculed the assertion that
an intense magnetic field will produce gravity. The ideas for fast travel in
the Scotsman article using this theory are the worst kind of pseudo-science.
That is only science fiction and it contradicts the most basic physics which
completely separates gravity from the other basic forces, especially
electricity and magnetism.
It is laughable that the proponents of this propulsion system are waiting
for magnets to make gravity before their system will work. They have an
ape-like awe of magnets and the amazing displays of force at a distance,
which they use to propose other magic, like creating other "dimensions".
The slashdot article is still there at this time , Jan. 6 2006
http://science.slashdot.org/
The responses by slashdotters is very entertaining. This would make a
good movie in the comedy category with science lies as the basic
premise.
Heim's theory "is similar to any number of current Unification Theories.
However, it has one set of properties that predict it should be possible
to cause a gradient to form in the fabric of space-time, namely that
by passing a set of particles through a massive magnetic field in a
rotating torus, that it should be possible to cause the creation of a
virtual particle pair known as the "gravitophoton" to form. This
particle would then cause a compression of space time to form,
giving a bias to space so that the generator would be moved in
a particular direction.
The theory goes on to predict that if enough of a gradient was
formed, then c' > c within the gradient (along with a bunch of
other effects) that can't happen in real space. The only option
that preserves GR is that the object must move out of "real" space
into a parallel dimension/alternate reality where c'>c is allowed.
Thus, faster than light travel."
The article in The Scotsman mentions NASA and the Air Force, as if the
mere expectation of a returned phone call from them will
impart credibility. If a government spends one penny on this,
then that is a penny wasted. But it provides a vast laughingstock
for discussions.
I can also say that "NASA has contacted me" and that "I am going to
see someone from the Air Force", but that does not mean that those
government agencies care about my dreams, goals, and wildest
speculations.