Virtual Raelity & Frictionalless Surfaces

A thread of 2 messages, 15 April 1992 to 16 April 1992, in the order they were sent.

#3955 Virtual Raelity & Frictionalless Surfaces

Michael A. Surman · 15 April 1992

I wrote earlier about virtual reality.

Jim Baranski replied:
>Star Trek's Virtual Reality on the Holodeck's requires not only Holograms, but
>also  Transporter technology matter replicators, as well as mighty
>sophisticated software.

Virtual reality systems are being created now and certainly present
day US doesn't have Transporter technology.

I would imagine a similar setup to a Holodeck is feasible in Traveller.
If holodisplays are available for workstations they should be easy
enough to erect in a larger setting, such as a building. Now, I'll
agree that simulating other sensory data might be a little difficult
but they could be introduced as chemical sprays. I would imagine
pharmacology has advanced enough that hallucinogenic drugs are
pretty common and powerful. They could allow one to experience all
sorts of sensations.

>It's pretty far beyond Traveller technology.

I'll agree with the Matter Replicators but wasn't there a module or
two that introduced Transporter technology?

>I even have trouble swollowing it in Star Trek.  Picard sez people choose the

You could say that for most of their technology! I have a hard time
with the low tech planets they visit, especially the Federation ones.

Another point I'd like to bring up is frictionalless surfaces. What
would be the technology level required to produce it? Could it be
produced with varying results, such as level 1 would be 10%, level
2 20% and so on, or is the nature of the material such that it would
be all or nothing?

Mike

#3961 (3955) Virtual Raelity & Frictionless Surfaces

[unnamed sender] · 16 April 1992 · reply to #3955

>Another point I'd like to bring up is frictionalless surfaces. What
>would be the technology level required to produce it? Could it be
>produced with varying results, such as level 1 would be 10%, level
>2 20% and so on, or is the nature of the material such that it would
>be all or nothing?
>
>Mike
>
Here are my two cents worth with the caveat that I am not a Chemist/Physicist/
Materials Scientist.

I would say that any particular material would have a constant coefficient of
friction, with perhaps, slight variations due to different alloying materials
and manufacturing techniques used.  However, it should be possible to make new
materials with lower and lower coefficients of friction, probably dependant on
tech level.
     up to TL  8 normal
           TL  9 20% Friction Free
           TL 10 30% FF
           TL 12 50% FF
           TL 13 60% FF
           TL 15 80% FF
           TL 16 90% FF
           TL 17 99% FF

It will probably be 'impossible' to create matter that is totally friction-
free, but forcefields are another matter. 8+)  Another thing to consider is
the other characteristics of the material.  Is it brittle?  Melts at low temps?
Hard to machine?  Poisonous to humans?

What would it be used for?  Sidewalks? (probably not)  Engine bearings? (yes)
Wheels? (no, wheels depend on friction to work)  Recreation?  (sure)  How about
the equivalent of water slides (have to be totaly enclosed or you would flip
out at the first turn) or downhill skiing? (you can only go straight down the
hill cause you need friction to turn)  Other than things like engine bearings,
the biggest use would be recreation.

An alternative to frictionless materials is the 'Friction field generator'
(invented by James Blish in one of his _Cities_in_Flight_ books).  I can't
remember the exact explanation given (which may have been BS anyway...), but
the effect was to reduce (or increase!) the friction coefficient of ANY matter
within its field.  I would tend to place this invention at TL 19 or more.

I had this great idea several years ago for a material, one of whose secondary
characteristics, is that it was frictionless.  It had other properties which
I won't go into here, because one of the guys in the campaign listens in here
(hi Jay!), and I may start it up again in the future.  If anyone is interested,
I'll be happy to explain further by email.

- ----------
In the dark no one can hear the color of your eyes.
Disclaimer:  This is me.  Do I sound like anyone else?

Paul Baughman          PHB100 @ psuvm.bitnet
                       baughman @ gis.psu.edu
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Captain Sir Michael Talmoth,  UPP:  BA5A8B

"You see me now a veteran,
     Of a thousand psychic wars,
         I've been living on the edge so long,
             Where the winds of Limbo roar.
- -- BOC