Project Code Name Squirrel!
ECOSat Diamagnetic Payload Experiments
WHO’S INVOLVED: This
project began as an entry for the Canadian Satellite Design Challenge
(CSDC). CSDC strives to inspire students to pursue science and
engineering educations and careers, and prepare tomorrow’s leaders with
the interdisciplinary teamwork skills which are necessary for success.
ECOSat was established at the University of Victoria (Uvic) to create a
team of ambitious students to accept this challenge. AGO was
approached for interesting payload experiment ideas and seized the
opportunity to put forth the study of diamagnetics in outer space.
The payload was then partitioned into multiple experiments, two of which
have been taken on by a team of Mechatronics students from Uvic as part
of an ENGR 466 course. Since the original proposal, there has been
an increasing amount of interest from a wide range of disciplines.
From physicists to retired aerospace designers and professional
engineers, there’s been tremendous support.
CSDC Website
http://www.geocentrix.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2&Itemid=2
Uvic ECOSat Website
OBJECTIVE: The objective
of this project is to obtain basic diamagnetic experimental data that
will provide insight on how diamagnetics interact with the Earth’s
magnetic field in a micro-gravity environment. Due to the short
time frame available for experiment development, the payload systems
have been kept simplistic to ensure they function properly.
However, these experiments are just the beginning of a very promising
area of research. There’s a strong possibility of engineering new
materials that can greatly enhance the diamagnetic effect. The
purpose of these experiments is to stimulate this research area and
create awareness. There’s great potential for this research to lead to
a new diamagnetic drive system for space craft’s. Depending on the
results, there may also be other applications.
BACKGROUND: The project
traces back to 1972 with the discovery of gold and fluorite in the
Deloro Ontario area, both materials are naturally occurring
diamagnetics. The basic principal of a diamagnetic material is that if
exposed to an external magnetic field, the material will generate an
opposing magnetic field that causes a repelling force. Therefore, the
diamagnetic material will repel regardless if it’s the N or S side of a
magnet that is in close proximity. Two such materials that possess this
property are Bismuth and pyrolytic graphite. For this specific project,
minimizing weight is critical, so pyrolytic graphite is the optimal
choice. Furthermore, pyrolytic graphite has a larger molar
susceptibility than Bismuth (about 60% greater). To become more familiar
with pyrolytic graphite, there are many videos posted on YouTube
showcasing its diamagnetic properties. A common demonstration is to
levitate a small piece above magnets. The force of diamagnetism
eventually might be used for inter-stellar travel; it would be much like
sailing in space using interstellar magnetic field "winds" to repel the
diamagnetic sail. This project is very basic and does not involve
locomotion. We are simply measuring diamagnetic force interactions
in the micro-gravity environment of an orbiting satellite in a variable
magnetic field.
YouTube Video
showing some diamagnetic properties
Experiments
There are currently 5 different experiments
slated for the payload system. These are listed below with brief
descriptions. Satellite orbit will be in the 800 km range with an
expected lifetime of 1 to 5 years.
Experiment 1: An
evaluation of the use of photon energy to modulate the magnetic moment
of a fluorescing diamagnetic crystal e.g. Blue John fluorite.
Measurements will be made to determine the feasibility of further
developing a photon controlled diamagnetic accelerator for later
experiments. This could lead to the development of a controllable
magnetic gradient system.
Experiment 2 and 4: An
evaluation of the effects of background radiation and angular coupling
of variable magnetic fields in micro gravity on movable and fixed sheets
of pyrolytic graphite. This will use dual Geiger counters and a
sensitive IMU system. A scintallometer may be added if time permits
(Experiment 6).
Experiment 3: A study of
the interaction of an apposing polarity dual set of magnetic/ pyrolytic
graphite bullets free floating in individual tubes under the influence
of the earth’s magnetic field.
Experiment 5:
Incorporation of a cmos camera to capture timely photos of ice
conditions in the Polar Regions to monitor for possible open water
conditions with melting of sea ice.
Payload Assembly
Project Dedication This project has been dubbed “Squirrel?” in
honour of the dog from the movie Up, because of the effect it has had on
the principle of AGO and Jim Harrington whom is the principal
investigator and theorist behind the diamagnetic experiments for the
satellite. Update July 27, 2012: The flight patch for the project has been
completed, and are available for a cost of $30 CDN
Update August 03, 2012: Two
provisional patents have been set up based on a couple of the experiments that are being
conducted on the space craft. One is being used to test the viability of
Pyrolytic graphite as a new type of radiation shielding. The second
provisional patent is for the diamagnetic force modulator using
fluorescence.
This first link
This second link, located 
