US Patent 7411772 - Rotary Casimir effect

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7411772.html

The Casimir effect is a quantum mechanical effect that results in the attraction of metal plates having nanoscopic separation distances. Usually the metal plates used are flat and the energy required to reset the plate separation makes applications involving the plate movement impractical. This patent from inventor Adrian Tymes teaches an interesting variation involving curved structures that exhibit a Casimir effect which may provide some energy output under rotary motion. Claim 1 reads:

1. Apparatus comprising:

a first structure effective to generate a Casimir effect between at least portions thereof; and

a second structure effective to alter or to convert the Casimir effect or a first type of force, field, or affect associated with the Casimir effect into a second type of force, field, or effect.