Some of human technical inventions almost seem like something out of a movie about aliens. We’ll show you devices that you probably haven’t seen before.
The modern technology that each of us carries around in our pockets every day is sometimes almost magical. It is the accumulation of thousands of years of human curiosity and research.
This often results in devices whose purpose and functionality ordinary mortals can hardly imagine. A few of these extraterrestrial-looking inventions we would like to introduce you here.
Mercury Vapor Rectifier: What This Device Does
The invention with the wonderful name Mercury vapor rectifier almost looks like a screenwriter dreamed up a mysterious time travel device. Would you think that this thing has been around since the early 1970s no longer for use comes?
The mercury vapor rectifier was invented in 1902 by an American electrical engineer named Peter Cooper-Hewitt. The device was used to generate direct current at a higher voltage and was important for powering trams.
Inside there is liquid mercury, which evaporates due to electrical stimulation and emits visible light. This magical blue flashing lights in the large glass bulb is referred to as a “cathode spot”.
The Ion Trap: Locked in a vacuum
This name could also come from a sci-fi novel: With one Ion trap It is possible to hold electrically charged atoms in a vacuum using electric and magnetic fields.
Imagine trying to hold a single grain of sand in mid-air without touching it. That’s exactly what this device does, just with ions. Rapidly changing electric fields cause the electrically charged particle to “float” at a specific location in the ion trap.
But why is that important?
This technology is used in various areas, such as mass spectrometry, i.e. measuring the mass of molecules. Also with quantum computers Ion traps are sometimes used, whereby the floating ions act as qubits and can be moved.
Cloud chamber: Visible radiation
With a so-called cloud chamber, ionizing radiation can be made visible, for example from radioactive materials. This type of radiation can rip electrons out of atoms and molecules, making it very dangerous.
The traces of individual particles that are emitted can be seen as lines in the cloud chamber. This fascinating spectacle seems completely unreal in the video.
This is made possible because a large container is filled with an air-alcohol mixture. If an energetic particle penetrates this supersaturated gas, extremely fine droplets are formed. The contrail is created almost like an airplane in the air.
The inventor Charles Thomas Rees Wilson was awarded this in 1927 Nobel Prize in Physics excellent. Nowadays, however, the device is no longer as important in research.
Farnsworth-Hirsch-Fusor: Greetings from Futurama
If you love the Futurama series, the name of this device will light up: Dr. Farnsworth from the Simpsons creator’s series is based on a real-life scientist named Philo T. Farnsworth.
He invented a fusor in 1964, which was later further developed by Robert L. Hirsch. That’s why it’s called Farnswort-Hirsch-Fusor.
The device is a neutron generator in which nuclear fusion takes place. To do this, deuterium ions are “locked” in an electric field in a vacuum and then bombarded with high-energy ions, causing the nuclei to fuse.
During this process, an impressive blue-purple glow is created that looks like a special effect added later. But there are now some examples of self-made fusors of this type on YouTube.
The disadvantage: The Fusor is not suitable for generating energy. A lot of energy has to be applied to accelerate the particles.