Changes

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>

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.

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. (It could also replace the "auxiliary power units" that current jet transports carry. These are miniature turbofan jet engines that provide no motive power to speak of, but serve only to provide electric power while the aircraft loads, until the pilot starts his main engines. A Casimir-Lorentz quantum engine would be a logical replacement.)

=== The strike as a political movement ===

=== The strike as a political movement ===