Mysterious force harnessed in a silicon chip

April 21, 2017

EE Prof. Alejandro Rodriguez provided theoretical calculations for a new silicon chip designed to create tiny amount of energy by placing objects very close together. 
 
This energy, predicted seven decades ago by the Dutch scientist Hendrik Casimir, arises from quantum effects and can be seen experimentally by placing two opposing plates very close to each other in a vacuum. At close range, the plates repel each other, which could be useful to certain technologies.  More details can be found here.