Zero Point Energy is also known as vacuum fluctuations or vacuum energy

The important point to keep in mind throughout this section is that Zero Point energy is purely theoretical, it has not been proven to be correct.

The original concept was proposed by Harold Puttoff. The basis is the uncertainty principle from modern quantum theory implies that it is impossible to have an absolutely zero energy condition. From this it is suggested each cubic centimetre of the vacuum of space contains a tremendous amount of energy and this is what is known as zero point energy.

ZPE was first predicted in 1948 and has been linked to many observations since. These include, but are certainly not limited to, the Casimir effect, Van der Waal forces and the Lamb-Retherford Shift.

If it is proved to exist ZPE could be a major factor in the development of a space drive and the interstellar travel space program. There is no doubt that this theory is becoming more and more widely accepted by physicists.

ZPE actually describes the random electromagnetic oscillations left in a vacuum once all other energy (light, heat, matter etc) has been removed. It is conservatively estimated to be of nuclear density, though is probably a lot greater. To try and visualise ZPE imagine an atom, electrons and all, if this is made to completely collapse (energy and field) into a single point you have zero point energy.

So how much energy are we talking about here? It is predicted to be in the order of 10³⁶ (10^36) to 10⁷⁰ (10^70) Joules/m3, in other words in less volume than a standard cup, perhaps in as little as a cubic centimetre there is enough energy to boil away all the Earth's oceans in their entirety.

If you remember back to the requirements for interstellar travel that we discussed earlier the third was the requirement of a fundamental new way to obtain energy to power the spacecraft, including the new propulsion systems. ZPE is the principle phenomena of interest, due the amount and the availability of potential energy. Further to this it has been theorised that this energy may be extracted without violating any fundamental laws (principally the conservation of energy and thermodynamic laws).

It must be stressed though that we do not know for sure that this energy is there and if it is it is not certain how much energy it might represent or if there could be any consequences of extracting and using this energy.

ZPE might not only be important in supplying energy. The possibilities run much deeper than this, this theory could be crucial in the understanding of gravity (hence instrumental in the development of the space drive) as well as many other phenomena in out universe.
There is a theory gravitational and inertia forces are caused by interaction of matter with ZPE. This is based on the fact that all matter is held together by electromagnetic forces, and the electrically charged particles are constantly interacting with this ZPE background. This suggests inertia is electromagnetic drag against the ZPE background and gravity is a force between charged particles set into oscillation by the background (thereby acting as dipoles).
In this context it is easy to see how the ZPE background could be seen as an ' aether' providing the reaction mass for a space drive and circumventing the problem of the conservation of momentum for such a system.

It should be remembered that here we are almost suggesting that gravitational and inertial forces are nothing more than electromagnetic side effects and this is, by no means, a proven idea. With that said physicists such as Haisch, Rueda, and Puthoff continue to popularise the idea of ZPE being a new gravitation theory. Even if this turns out to be correct it still does not provide a means to use electromagnetic fields of control gravity. For that we shall also have to find a way to interact with the ZPE, but if this was possible then we would have our space drive.

One popular question here is: With such large amount of energy, why is it so hard to notice?
Imagine you live on a plateau that was 1000ft up, but it was so large that you were unaware for the height, your ground level would become your zero point reference, even though you are a long way from zero. The same occurs with ZPE, it is so hard to notice because we effectively have an incorrect zero reference point.

This presents the clearest evidence of ZEP, it occurs when we get two metal plates very close together and then ZPE takes over and pushes them together.

This effect also provides a theoretical chance to tap into ZPE since the region inside the Casimir cavity can be interpreted as being at a lower energy state.

More work will be required to assess ZPE in more detail, particularly to address the energy possibilities. One field of interest that will be explored will be assessing the geometry and temperature effects on the Casimir effect.

Go on to the Long-term Future Propulsion Possibilities
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