Scientists Generate Magnetic Field from Heat Source

Here’s an article from Scitechdaily.com that was just posted on the Vortex-l list that looks quite interesting. It reports how scientists have managed to predict and experimentally measure the production of a magnetic field by using a temperature difference across an electrical insulator. This is a phenomenon known as the Magnetic Seebeck effect which has only been proposed theoretically until now.

The article explains:

The Seebeck effect (thermoelectricity) – named after Thomas Johann Seebeck who first observed it in 1821 – is generated when electrons in an electric conductor move as a response to a temperature gradient. On average, the electrons on the hot side of the conductor have more kinetic energy and subsequently move at higher speeds than the electrons on the cold side. This causes them to diffuse from the hot to the cold side, generating an electric field that is directly proportional to the temperature gradient along the conductor.

Using an electrical insulator rather than a conductor, researchers led by Jean-Philippe Ansermet at EPFL have shown that a Magnetic Seebeck effect also exists. Because an insulator does not allow electrons to flow, a temperature gradient does not cause electrons to diffuse. Instead, it affects another property of electrons that forms the basis of magnetism and is referred to as ‘spin’.

There has been quite a lot of interest in a phenomenon reported by both Andrea Rossi and Defklalion GT where apparently an electric current or magnetic field has been measured in the E-Cat and Hyperion reactors. Perhaps there is some connection to this Magnetic Seebeck effect in LENR systems.

If this effect proves to be something that could be developed and refined by further research and engineering, and electricity can be generated in useful quantities and an efficient manner from any heat source (LENR included) it would be a significant breakthrough with many practical uses.