How theoretical zero-point energy can draw limitless fuel from the vacuum of space
Sci-fi enthusiasts will confirm that scenes from the distant future are not difficult to visualize. We have fleets of intergalactic vessels exploring the vastness of space. There are legions of hardy colonists terraforming new, strange worlds. A great galactic human chain is formed by will, intellect, and knowledge. It stretches across the Milky Way, and beyond. That’s at least one version. Others would imagine a violent, militaristic, future for humanity. Or, they might describe an artificial intelligence network that spans the planet and is composed of disembodied minds. In each scenario, energy is a crucial component that humans cannot do without.
Space.com explains that energy is a crucial component of civilization, whether it’s on or off the planet. In 1964, Soviet astronomer Nikolai Kardashev ranked spacefaring civilisations according to how much they consumed. The higher the ranking the more advanced the civilization was. Oil and coal are not the only fuels we’re talking about. Earth is not even a Type 1 civilization, because we haven’t harnessed the full energy of our planet. A Type II civilization, on the other hand, would be able build an energy-harnessing system like a Dyson sphere, around its sun, according to Popular Mechanics. All those intergalactic stations, ships, settlements, and so on, require power, just as they do materials.
What if the universe was infused with a near-infinite and almost magical source of energy? What if you could tap it at will from anywhere, at any time? This is zero-point power in a nutshell.
Source:
https://www.grunge.com/1172148/how-theoretical-zero-point-energy-draws-limitless-fuel-from-the-vacuum-of-space/
