List of Suggested Experiments

This page compiles suggestions for as-yet untested variations in experiment designs for EmDrive testing. When possible, links to the original suggestion and a brief description of the justification for this test are provided.

Note: For purposes of this list, the baseline for experimentation is considered to be a copper fustrum with either a magnetron or coaxial RF feed operated at approximately 2.45Ghz, similar to Shawyer's Feasability Study

Design/Shape Modifications

1. Replace solid endplates with a circular grid design similar to the endplates used by Cullen in his 1950's waveguide experiments,<ref>Forum post by Rodal</ref> or a mesh as the one used for the glass windows in home-microwave-ovens, having a spacing between mesh or grids small enough such that only wavelengths smaller than that can get through.<ref>Forum post by demofsky</ref> Purpose: to allow convection through the fustrum, eliminate buoyancy, thermal jet effects, natural thermal convection currents, and other gas effects.
2. Place ferrite beads in the fustrum, either one large one next to an endplate or a pattern of them along a line in the longitudinal direction. Purpose: to increase attenuation gradient in TE modes, having an axial magnetic field.<ref>Forum post by Rodal summarizing several prior posts.</ref>
3. Build Large end plate out of Metglas or a similar material with high magnetic permeability like cast iron or any ferrite.<ref>Forum post by Flyby referencing earlier posts.</ref> Purpose: to test de Aquino's conjecture regarding the effect of power dissipation at the end faces of the truncated cone.
4. Place a ruby inside near one of the ends to emit at 2.4 GHz as used in solid state Masers.
5. Fill the fustrum with ammonia gas to emit at 24GHz. Purpose: To produce maser-like amplification inside the fustrum.<ref>Forum post by aero, in response to Rodal's explanation of the history of maser development.</ref> If using ammonia, please follow safety procedures: ammonia is irritating and corrosive. Exposure to high concentrations of ammonia in air causes immediate burning of the nose, throat and respiratory tract. This can cause bronchiolar and alveolar edema, and airway destruction resulting in respiratory distress or failure. Inhalation of lower concentrations can cause coughing, and nose and throat irritation. Ammonia's odor provides adequate early warning of its presence, but ammonia also causes olfactory fatigue or adaptation, reducing awareness of one's prolonged exposure at low concentrations. Skin or eye contact: Exposure to low concentrations of ammonia in air or solution may produce rapid skin or eye irritation. Higher concentrations of ammonia may cause severe injury and burns. Contact with concentrated ammonia solutions such as industrial cleaners may cause corrosive injury including skin burns, permanent eye damage or blindness. The full extent of eye injury may not be apparent for up to a week after the exposure.
6. Place a dielectric next to the Small end, as done by NASA Eagleworks, who found extruded HDPE to be slightly better than extruded PTFE. Do not use molded (instead of extruded) polymers. NASA Eagleworks found that Neoprene rubber performed poorly as a dielectric in the EM Drive, as it resulted in considerably less thrust.
7. Separate resonance and attenuation chambers (proposed by WarpTech)
8. Apply a silver or gold coating to the inside of a copper fustrum. Purpose: The increase microwave reflectivity, and therefore increase Q factor.

Experimental Measurement Setups

1. Use smokesticks to test for out-gassing and hot air jets from the fustrum<ref>Credit to @Seeshells</ref>
2. Test on a zero-g simulator flight.
3. Cavendish Pendulum<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20080508011932/http://www.sas.org/tcs/weeklyIssues_2005/2005-07-01/feature1/index.html</ref>

References

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