Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Fact or Fiction?

  • 06-12-2004 12:40pm
    #1
    Evil Phil
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,468 ✭✭✭


    In Iain M Banks book 'Look to Windward' there is a device which I can only describe as a reverse balloon. Essentially what happens is the surface of the balloon expands by itself, not by inflating the balloon, which creates a vacuum inside it. As a vacuum is lighter than air is floats up in the same manner helium balloons do. Is theoretically true or just something he made up? :confused:


Comments

  • #2
    bean
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 231 ✭✭bean


    I swear i have heard that before....check this out

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3341255.stm

    Was this it?


  • #3
    Evil Phil
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,468 ✭✭✭Evil Phil


    No, not antibubbles. But we could do with a few of those around here.


  • #4
    Capt'n Midnight
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 93,567 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    Idea is very old - some Jesuit priest came up with it earlier copper hemispheres filled with nothing.

    How would you make it - rubber skin on a dodecahedron frame ?


  • #5
    Evil Phil
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,468 ✭✭✭Evil Phil


    Dunno how to make one yet, I just want know if it would work.


  • #6
    m4cker
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 189 ✭✭m4cker


    you would also have to make the skin of the bubble very light. in fact that is where i can see the problem. you need a rigid material strong enough to resist air pressure fom outside yet lighter than the air which was displaced from inside the bubble.


  • Advertisement
Advertisement