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arXiv:1903.05171physics.app-ph

Vacuum balloon -- a 350-year-old dream

Andrey Akhmeteli, Andrew V. Gavrilin

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Abstract

The centuries-old idea of a lighter-than-air vacuum balloon has not materialized yet as such structure needs to be both light enough to float in the air and strong enough to withstand atmospheric pressure. We propose a design of a rigid spherical sandwich shell and demonstrate that it can satisfy these stringent conditions with commercially available materials, such as boron carbide ceramic and aluminum alloy honeycomb. A finite element analysis was employed to demonstrate that buckling can be prevented in the proposed structure. Also discussed are other modes of failure and approach to manufacturing.

arXiv comments
18 pages, 5 figures, 20 formulas
Journal reference
DOI
Subjects
physics.app-phApplied Physics physics.pop-phPopular Physics

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