Great Scott !!! .... It's the FLUX CAPACITOR !!!

Great Scott .... It's THE FLUX CAPACITOR !!!

This is going to get 'Heavy' !

In the realm of fictional technology, the Flux Capacitor stands out as a key component of the DeLorean time machine.

Propelling characters across the time-space continuum in the "Back to the Future" film trilogy.

While its inner workings are intentionally shrouded in mystery, let's embark on a speculative journey to explore how the Flux

Capacitor might function from a technical standpoint.
Theoretical Foundation:

To understand the Flux Capacitor, one must delve into theoretical physics. Dr. Emmett Brown, the inventor in the movies, cites the flux dispersal over a spatial-temporal vector as a fundamental principle.

This resonates with concepts from Einstein's theory of relativity, suggesting a link between the flux capacitor's operation and the manipulation of spacetime.

Temporal Energy Generation:

The Flux Capacitor presumably harnesses an exotic form of energy to manipulate time. In theoretical physics, the idea of "negative energy" or "exotic matter" is sometimes invoked in discussions about traversable wormholes or time dilation.
It is conceivable that the Flux Capacitor taps into a source of exotic energy to create the temporal field necessary for time travel.

This is essentially a storage device for the huge amount of power 1.21 gigawatts (1,210,000,000 watts) of power, once 88mph is reached power is channelled through three glowing rods. This forces microwaves to flow in one direction meeting in the centre.
88 MPH Threshold:

The films emphasize the significance of reaching a speed of 88 miles per hour for the Flux Capacitor to activate successfully.

While this appears arbitrary, it might be indicative of a critical energy threshold required to initiate the temporal displacement.

Achieving this speed may trigger a resonance effect, amplifying the energy generated by the Flux Capacitor and opening a temporal portal.

Temporal Coils and Capacitance:

The Flux Capacitor's Y-shaped design, resembling a circuit board, suggests a sophisticated arrangement of temporal coils.

These coils may play a role in focusing and channeling the temporal energy.

The flashing lights surrounding the Flux Capacitor could represent the dynamic interplay of temporal capacitance, regulating the flow of energy as it prepares to breach the temporal barrier.

Temporal Displacement Control:

One intriguing aspect is the Flux Capacitor's ability to pinpoint
specific moments in time. This implies a level of control over the temporal displacement process.

Theoretically, a sophisticated algorithm or quantum computing system could be integrated, allowing the time traveler to input precise temporal coordinates and navigate the spacetime continuum with accuracy.

DeLorean Time Machine Interior - www.sandstoneproductions.co.uk

DeLorean Time Machine - Lighting Strike - www.sandstoneproductions.co.uk

Temporal Displacement Control:

One intriguing aspect is the Flux Capacitor's ability to pinpoint
specific moments in time. This implies a level of control over the temporal displacement process.

Theoretically, a sophisticated algorithm or quantum computing system could be integrated, allowing the time traveler to input precise temporal coordinates and navigate the spacetime continuum with accuracy.

The Role of Plutonium (or Mr. Fusion):

In the films, the DeLorean initially relies on a plutonium-powered reactor to generate the required 1.21 gigawatts of power.
Later, Dr. Brown replaces it with a Mr. Fusion device that converts household waste into energy.

The Flux Capacitor's ability to interface with different power sources suggests adaptability, adding an additional layer of complexity to its design.

A newly developed Flux Capacitor (not for time travel though) uses Quantum tubes of magnetic flux moving around a central capacitor by a process known as Quantum Tunnelling,

This creates a brace of wormholes accelerating at different velocities relative to each other.

1.21 Gigawatts of energy would be released from the Flux Capacitor through the Flux Bands (mounted on the outside of the DeLorean).

This would allow for the transition through the wormhole to happen at 88mph, the wormhole would have to be created by the Delorean harnessing two black holes, entangle them, and then separate them again.

Except this involves ties between quantum mechanics and classical mechanics. (See our ‘Is Time Travel possible’ blog)

The Back to the Future A-Car (the DeLorean used for close up filming) Flux Capacitor consisted of 3 high pressure gas relays connected to Glass Vacuum tubes.

In this particular theory the space-time continuum is shown to be essentially spherical.

The Flux bands allowing the traveller to enter the wormhole in one location in space, but emerge from it in a new location which is exactly the same in space, but entirely different in time.

So you travel through time, but remain in the same relative place.
Of course this is far more complex than we have described here, but again see our blog ' Is Time Travel Possible' for more detailed explanation.

The short version is that nothing really stays in place,

DeLorean Time Machine - www.sandsotneproductions.co.uk

DeLorean Time Machine - www.sandstoneproductions.co.uk

The Delorean runs on regular gas (petrol unleaded) to power its 2.8 v6 Peugeot Renault Volvo (PRV) ZMJ-159 engine.

But the Time Machine conversion runs on something little more potent ….

Can a DeLorean go 88 mph? Yes it can it can :
In European Spec - 150 BHP - 0.60 in 8.5 Seconds - Top Speed 129 mph

One of the key problems for the flux capacitor is energy. Even theoretically, the amount of power needed to create a wormhole (as yet, still only a concept rather than a reality) is barely conceivable.

In the film, it’s defined as 1.21 gigawatts (pronounced ‘jigawatts’ in the film). That’s an awful lot of watts, the kind you can only get from a plutonium-powered nuclear reactor, or a couple of seriously huge gas turbines or, say, a bolt of lightning !

So try to explain how much power this is the nuclear power reactors in a Nimitz Class Aircraft Carrier produce 194 megawatts (1.94 x 10-8 watts)

But here we are talking about a Bolt of Lighting which is 300 million volts, and 30,000 amps.

For comparison a household current is 240 Volts (120volts for USA) and 16 Amps.

And a bolt of lighting is 5 x 10⌃9 Joules perfect for Doc Browns Delorean Time Machine

Giga is a prefix for units that typically means 10⌃9 This means 1.21 gigawatts would be 1.12 x 10⌃9 watts

So how could that work?

Let’s get technical for a second.

If the reactor uses (for example) Plutonium-239 (dangerously
radioactive by the way), then each atom of the stuff could theoretically produce 200MeV (mega electron volts) during the fission process, equivalent to 3.2×10⌃11 joules of energy.

With each Plutonium-239 atom having a mass of 3.29×10-25kg, you would only need a fuel mass of 1.2×10-5kg, which could conceivably fit in the boot of a DeLorean.

So long as it didn’t explode, and 1.21 gigawatts is all the power you needed, then you could conceivably power a time-travelling car.

Then all you’d have to worry about are the complexities of relativity, space-time paradoxes and the impossibility of altering the future by changing history to make time travel by DeLorean a reality.

Conclusion:

While the Flux Capacitor remains firmly entrenched in the world
of science fiction, its conceptualization offers an intriguing blend of theoretical physics and speculative engineering.

Imagining a device that manipulates time requires a suspension of disbelief, but the Flux Capacitor's enduring appeal lies in its ability to spark conversations about the boundaries of scientific understanding and the limitless potential of the human imagination.

As we continue to explore the mysteries of the universe, the Flux Capacitor serves as a reminder that sometimes the most captivating ideas emerge at the intersection of scientific theory and creative storytelling.

The Flux Capacitor is one of the central pieces of equipment in the DeLorean Time Machine which is what makes time travel possible.

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