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→The Casimir motor
==== The Casimir motor ====
==== The Casimir motor ====
The [[motion picture]] adaptation, ''[[Atlas Shrugged, Part 1]],'' gave a more detailed suggestion of how an electrostatic motor might work. Specifically, it employed a variation on the Casimir Effect, which classically is an attraction between two metal conducting plates brought close together in a ''quantum vacuum.'' (The term "atmospheric vacuum" in the film script is not accurate.) In fact, an Israeli scientist actually proposed building a "quantum propulsion engine" that employs the Casimir Effect.<ref name=casimir>Feigel A, "[http://arxiv.org/abs/0912.1031 A magneto-electric quantum wheel]," ''Quantum Physics'', 5 December 2009.Cited in "[http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/arxiv/24499/ A Blueprint for a Quantum Propulsion Machine]," ''Physics ArXiv Blog,'' 9 December 2009. Cited in turn in Dillow C, "[http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2009-12/quantum-propulsion-machine Practical Steps Toward a Quantum Propulsion Machine]," ''Popular Science'', 9 December 2009. Retrieved 26 November 2011.</ref>
The [[motion picture]] adaptation, ''[[Atlas Shrugged, Part 1]],'' proposed an entirely different sort of revolutionary motor. Specifically, it employed a variation on the Casimir Effect, which classically is an attraction between two metal conducting plates brought close together in a ''quantum vacuum.'' In fact, Alexander Feigel, of the Soreq Nuclear Research Center, Yavne, [[Israel]], actually proposed building a "quantum propulsion engine" that employs the Casimir Effect, or something close to it.<ref name=casimir>Feigel A, "[http://arxiv.org/abs/0912.1031 A magneto-electric quantum wheel]," ''Quantum Physics'', 5 December 2009. Cited in "[http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/arxiv/24499/ A Blueprint for a Quantum Propulsion Machine]," ''Physics ArXiv Blog,'' 9 December 2009. Cited in turn in Dillow C, "[http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2009-12/quantum-propulsion-machine Practical Steps Toward a Quantum Propulsion Machine]," ''Popular Science'', 9 December 2009. Retrieved 26 November 2011.</ref>
Some of the terms that the film's script uses are wildly inaccurate, and are probably a weak attempt to conflate the concept of an electrostatic motor with that of a quantum propulsion motor of the type that Feigel proposes. Nevertheless, the model that Feigel proposed, and others have elaborated on, does appear to be quite feasible. The references describe a practical application in outer space, to replace the classic "reaction control"-based attitude systems on spacecraft with quantum thrusters. But this does seem to have a down-to-earth application as a replacement for any engine that relies on turning a shaft to provide motive power. Such an engine could replace those in automobiles and locomotives, and could also replace the turboprop engines in slower-moving aircraft. It could possibly serve to design a more-efficient turbofan jet engine, thus extending the range of current jet aircraft.
=== The strike as a political movement ===
=== The strike as a political movement ===