A system and a method for laser-driven propulsion, comprising transferring momentum to a projectile through a low-density material at laser fluences below plasma ablation threshold, the method comprising providing a metal layer having a first surface and a second opposite surface; providing a low density layer having a first surface and a second opposite surface; positioning the low density layer with the first surface thereof in direct contact with the second surface of the metal layer; positioning a projectile on the second surface of the low density layer; and heating the metal layer with laser pulses to temperatures below the liquefaction and ionization thresholds of the metal.

A system and method for generating one or more electrostatic pressure forces or one or more divergence in electric field forces, or both, acting on at least one surface of an object. Asymmetries in the resulting force vectors result in a net resulting force acting on the object. The magnitude of the net resulting force may be a function of the geometry of the object surfaces, the amount of electric charge present on the surfaces, and the dielectric constant(s) of materials present in a gap between the object surfaces. The invention may be produced on a nanoscale using nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes. The invention may be utilized to provide a motivating force to an object. A non-limiting exemplary use case example is the use of electrostatic pressure force apparatus as a propellantless thruster to propel a spacecraft through a vacuum.

The present application relates to optical-mechanical systems and methods for moving a solid object by applying conservation of angular momentum to a configuration of a laser light beam that emanates from the solid object. The system includes a rotatable housing and an axially movable laser light source coupled to the housing and configured to emit a first light beam along a first path. The system can include a first beam splitter disposed along the first path for splitting the first light beam into a second light beam and a third light beam. The system can cause the third light beam to travel in a closed path, as an approximation of a circular path of initial radius, and of decreasing radius. The system can further include a second beam splitter, axially movable first, second and third mirrors, and a third beam splitter disposed at one end of the housing.

The present application relates to optical-mechanical systems and methods for moving a solid object by applying conservation of angular momentum to a configuration of a laser light beam that emanates from the solid object. The system includes a rotatable housing and an axially movable laser light source coupled to the housing and configured to emit a first light beam along a first path. The system can include a first beam splitter disposed along the first path for splitting the first light beam into a second light beam and a third light beam. The system can cause the third light beam to travel in a closed path, as an approximation of a circular path of initial radius, and of decreasing radius. The system can further include a second beam splitter, axially movable first, second and third mirrors, and a third beam splitter disposed at one end of the housing.

This application describes creating, modifying, and bending electromagnetic solitons at large scales for the various applications. An electromagnetic soliton generator system controls the magnetic soliton such that the orientation, rotation rate, pitch angle, and magnetic field strength of the solitons are modified to provide the described standing waves and generate a magnetic flux differential.

Self-propelling, programmable nanoscopic motors capable of harvesting energy from absorbed photons and undergoing subsequent photoeletrochemical (PEC) reactions are provided. A nanomotor can have a three-dimensional Janus configuration and can sense the direction of a light source. By controlling the zeta potential of different parts of the nanomotor with chemical modifications, the nanomotor can be programmed to show either positive phototaxis or negative phototaxis.

Self-propelling, programmable nanoscopic motors capable of harvesting energy from absorbed photons and undergoing subsequent photoeletrochemical (PEC) reactions are provided. A nanomotor can have a three-dimensional Janus configuration and can sense the direction of a light source. By controlling the zeta potential of different parts of the nanomotor with chemical modifications, the nanomotor can be programmed to show either positive phototaxis or negative phototaxis.

The operation of the ultra-high frequency (UHF) electromagnetic motor or thruster, the object of this invention, is based on generating extremely short and powerful electrical, magnetic or electromagnetic field pulses and separating (unrooting) or disassociating said field pulses from the originating source, so that subsequently the emitting device and a device that is the objective or target, a support structure that supports both devices and another elements connected to said support structure are for an instant disassociated from the field, waiting for the pulsed field to reach the objective or target. At that moment, the element emits a field with a polarization that allows the exertion of a force that attracts or repels the field pulse, with respect to the objective or target and consequently with respect to the motor of which they form part as a unit, both the emitter and the target being joined by a support structure.

This application describes creating, modifying, and bending electromagnetic solitons at large scales for the various applications. An electromagnetic soliton generator system controls the magnetic soliton such that the orientation, rotation rate, pitch angle, and magnetic field strength of the solitons are modified to provide the described standing waves and generate a magnetic flux differential.

A system and a method for laser-driven propulsion, comprising transferring momentum to a projectile through a low-density material at laser fluences below plasma ablation threshold, the method comprising providing a metal layer having a first surface and a second opposite surface; providing a low density layer having a first surface and a second opposite surface; positioning the low density layer with the first surface thereof in direct contact with the second surface of the metal layer; positioning a projectile on the second surface of the low density layer; and heating the metal layer with laser pulses to temperatures below the liquefaction and ionization thresholds of the metal.