Re: Can magnetism be a substitute for chemical reactions?

Mr. Morgan,
 You do pose a series of interesting questions. First, let us consider the 
materials used in superconducters and their related magnetism.  Solid 
metal superconductors such Hg haven't been used since around 1911, due to 
the difficulty of maintianing such low temperatures.  Many of the new SC's 
are now made out of what we call mixed-oxide ceramics.  They have a 
stucture similar to mineral perovskite.  As you probably know, SC's exclude 
the influence of magnetic fields when cold, and allow them to act naturally 
when warm.  The problems that exists, in particular to your question, is 
first, the coeffeicient of friction that exists in an engine. Cylindar 
walls are improtant for keeping the pistions on track and stable and thus 
the required oil needed to maintain smooth operation.  Foreign materials 
and SC's do not mix, thus a new engine design would be need as current 
engines would not support SC power.  The next problem is that, as 
previously mentioned, a SC's magnetic properties vary in accordance with 
their local temperature.  Of course the colder a SC is, the better it 
works.  What this means is that the temperature of an SC would have to be 
changed several hundred degrees Kelvin thousands of times per minute.  
   As for new engine technology, several universities are working on what 
is called a cyclo-drive.  This is a device that harnesses the forces of 
alternating polarity in magnets to generate inertia.  This design is about 
83-94% efficient, compared to an internal combustion engine's meager 10% 
efficiency rating.  I hope some of this has helped, if you want to know 
more, or someting I have said is unclear to you, please write back to MadSci.  
  Respectfully,
   Mike Maxwell 
   Undergrad. Chemical Engineering, Georgia Tech