There is a possibility of ships propelled by eddy currents in the air. This would not be difficult in the Ionosphere but near the ground would require very intense moving magnetic fields to break down air molecules into conductive ions. These intense moving fields might fry any person who was nearby.

Eddy currents are probably defined as current which moves in circular paths. An eddy current opposes any move of a magnetic field in a metal conductor or a superconductor. The picture of a bar magnet hovering over a lead superconductor is a an example of the magnetic field from the bar magnet attempting to penetrate the superconductor and being opposed by eddy currents in the superconductor.

Eddy currents are generally avoided in the construction of transformers and electric motors by using laminated iron sheets.

They are used in Watt-Hour meters for power companies and in certain specialized rotating motors. They are also used in non-destructive testing of metals as they can show internal cracks and voids.

A ship with eddy current propulsion could be expected to produce a diffuse glow like a florescent light, constant or pulsed broad band radio noise, pulsed magnetic field and little noise.

There is an excellent chance of this propulsion working in salt water because of the number of ions available to carry a current.

I plan to make an attempt at eddy current propulsion in the near future.

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