Hi, hopefully my response in 'Re:AC_DC' above will answer your question. -Greg Leyh

I don't think that I could do that.

Hello, here's the project overview on our website: http://www.lod.org/Projects/LightningFoundry/LightningFoundry.html I couldn't find the word 'cool' listed there but the word 'goal' occurs several times.

Hopefully my response in 'Re:AC_DC' below will answer your question. -Greg Leyh

The 'voltage economy' mentioned above occurs during the stepped leader phase, which is very low current compared to the return stroke. High current arc discharges at the laboratory scale fair no differently than low current ones; the current only occurs after the initial breakdown phase, so it cannot be a factor. Seriously, if you think you have a valid answer for this, you should publish.

Each tower will require up to 1.8 megawatts of AC prime power. The most economical AC power choice would be the local power grid. However, if the Lightning Foundry is required to operate in a remote area or if the local power authority cannot handle megawatt transient loading, then there are two options for generating the AC prime power: A) An gas turbine-alternator set or B) A stand-alone diesel generator. Option A is preferred over B, since a turbine set is considerably more compact and is easier to transport. If we’re not able to score an affordable turbine set or secure a robust connection to the power grid, then leasing a 2MW Diesel generator set is the remaining option.

Hi Ralf, That interview was interesting [got to visit the amazing Google campus] but unfortunately it was completely unrelated to the Lightning Foundry. It involved something considerably more practical than pure research. I'm pretty sure there wasn't a video.

Hi, take a look at my response in 'Re:AC_DC' above, and let me know if that answers your question. -Greg Leyh

Certainly, most people will find this boring. Especially with all of the amazing diversions and entertainment available today.

One problem with cosmic-ray induced breakdown concept is that the flux of cosmic-rays required to sustain a breakdown is much greater than the amount which naturally occurs at thunderstorm altitudes. J.R. Dwyer has proposed a very novel 'positive feedback' mechanism that solves this problem using *positrons* in his paper 'A fundamental limit on electric fields in air' which can be viewed here: http://bit.ly/t0XZ6M The Lightning Foundry should be able to explore a portion of the parameter space in Figure 2, and a good part of the 'Semi-stable' regime in Figure 3.

Unfortunately I doubt the Lightning Foundry would be able to approach the magnificence of the Sousaphone.

Hi, We'll be concentrating on lightning-related research, particularly effects that might explain the lightning initiation process. If we come across anomalous or unexpected effects we'll certainly explore those as well, particularly if they seem to pose a credible hazard to the machine or personnel. The possibility of running into unexpected behavior is very high when you build a machine that operates in a new part of parameter space. Most unexpected behavior turns out to be headaches; however a small percentage of these become discoveries. When we brought up the 1:12 scale Lightning Foundry prototypes for the first time, they behaved very erratically when adjusting the relative phase. As it turned out, the two coils had an unexpectedly strong ability to wirelessly couple power to each other, which wreaked havoc with the way we were controlling them. This headache eventually turned into a bit of fun though, since we were able to optimize their wireless capabilities enough to actually power a small manned vehicle, shown here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CULdwXKKfDQ I can only guess at some of the anomalies we'll run into when trying to ramp up the Lightning Foundry, but I'm certain the process will not be anomaly-free. -Greg Leyh

In 'Re:FCC and friends' above, I provided a rationale for why the radiated power will be very low. Let me know if you have questions beyond that.

Hi John, The lightning initiation process still confounds experts in the field, which is understandable since the unpredictable nature and high altitude of lightning strikes effectively prohibit any close approach with scientific instruments. Several recent papers [Gurevich, Zybin, Dwyer] propose that ‘relativistic runaway breakdown’ effects might provide lightning with its amazing abilities. One conceivable way to study the lightning initiation process is to try and artificially trigger it. I'm proposing that it’s now arguably practical to build a machine large enough to recreate the conditions that theory predicts will trigger a relativistic runaway breakdown in air, on demand, and in a well-instrumented environment. More info on the project can be viewed here: http://www.lod.org/Projects/LightningFoundry/LightningFoundry.html Let me know if you'd like any more info. -Greg Leyh

Tesla, definitely. He’ll know a great place for dinner and tell better stories.