Investigation into the generation of electricity via electrostatic induction

Abstract

The present research investigated electricity generation via the electrostatic induction charging of capacitors, for two primary reasons: • Mankind needs energy to live and survive; but • Present technologies have at least contributed to mankind now being left with essentially no time to address various ecological tipping points that might make certain parts of Earth uninhabitable (Lenton et al., 2019). Prior research highlighted the possibility that capacitors might be part of a new energy solution. Present research took four years and reviewed more than 6 000 literature sources. More than hundred and twenty sources are cited in the formal literature review, and a selection of over a hundred experiments is reported on. By Grace, it can be reported that: • No reasons could be established in physics that would prevent electrostatic induction from being used as an electricity generation methodology. • Despite extensive search, no indication could be found that there is any energy requirement for the propagation of the electric fields that initiate electrostatic induction. Similar to gravity fields, electric fields might just propagate to infinity. • Various technological guidelines have been formulated that might be used as the building blocks of a technology underpinning electricity generation via electrostatic induction charging of capacitors. • A specific concept has been developed that might culminate in a specific and sustainable solution, using β-radiation from radioactive carbon-14 to electrostatically charge capacitor stacks. Initial estimates indicate that 1 kg of carbon-14 might generate over 400 Watts continuously for the next 5 730 years (half-life of ¹⁴C). Research also assisted in contributing towards the two capacitor paradox, which highlights the complexity of conduction current charging of capacitors.