Follow Discovery on Twitter June 10, 2009 | By Larry Clark | No Comments »
Categories: Engineering, Materials Science, Physics
Tags: antimatter, galaxy, positrons, science fiction, space
Artist's concept of Antimatter propulsion system. Courtesy NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Collection.
I’ve always been drawn to high-quality science and science fiction writing, and sometimes it hasn’t been hard to see the lines blurring between the two genres. Science is about experimentation, trial, questioning, and re-testing. But it’s also about imagination and creativity.
The technology of Star Trek and the discoveries throughout the galaxy seem to be on the far edge of that imagination. Yet, the concepts of antimatter and positrons–and the ability to harness that energy–are the subjects of researchers Kelvin Lynn and Marc Weber at WSU. The very idea grabs my imagination and makes me want to re-watch old episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Becky Phillips of WSU Today captured the two scientists discussing their work on a video: Antimatter – harnessing the power of positrons.
You can read her story, watch the video, and learn more here at WSU Today.