Scientists have tested a new method to generate electricity using Earth's rotational energy and magnetic field, potentially unlocking a novel renewable energy source.
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| A research team has demonstrated electricity generation using Earth's rotational energy, offering a potential breakthrough in alternative energy technologies. Imge: CH |
PRINCETON, USA — March 23, 2025:
A team of physicists from Princeton University, CIT's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Spectral Sensor Solutions has demonstrated a potential method to generate electricity using Earth’s rotational energy and magnetic field. Their study, published in Physical Review Research, presents experimental evidence supporting a novel energy-harnessing approach.
Researchers Christopher Chyba, Kevin Hand, and Thomas Chyba have explored this concept for nearly a decade. Their 2016 paper proposed the idea but faced skepticism, as existing theories suggested that any generated voltage would cancel itself out due to electron rearrangement.
To test their hypothesis, the scientists designed a device using a manganese-zinc ferrite cylinder, a weak conductor that acts as a magnetic shield. Positioned at a 57° angle—perpendicular to both Earth’s rotation and its magnetic field—the device was equipped with electrodes at each end to measure voltage. The experiment was conducted in complete darkness to eliminate interference from photoelectric effects.
The team recorded an 18-microvolt charge across the cylinder, with no alternative explanation for its origin. They ruled out potential voltage caused by temperature differences and found no measurable electricity when the cylinder’s angle was changed or when control cylinders were used.
Although further independent verification is needed, the researchers suggest that if their findings hold, this method could be scaled up for practical energy generation. If proven viable, it could open new avenues for harnessing Earth’s natural forces as an alternative power source.