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Shields

Spaceship Shields

for kay's sci fi stuff, I thought I'd scribble down my previous talks of an alternative to 'energy shields' Ferrofluid Hull Defense System

FHDS

System Components

The Ferrofluid Hull Defense System consists of 4 systems.

1) Holding Tank containing a mass of vacuum rated ferrofluid suspension. 2) Plumbing / Filtration systems to vent and collect ferrofluid from holding tank to exterior 3) An array of exterior mounted electromagnet plates 4) A dedicated on-board computer and power supply for controlling the above

Method of Operation

When in operation, the Holding Tank contents is pumped out onto the hull via a series of ejection/collection ports. The exterior electromagnet array is activated, causing the ferrofluid to remain on the hull itself during hazardous actions and violent movement.

During Operation the ferrofluid acts as a flexible, shock absorbing, second skin for the hull, absorbing impacts from kinetic impacts by spreading the impact force over a larger surface area (Waves of force ripple out from impact sites, as the change in density causes most small projectiles to shear and break up upon impact before reaching the primary hull). The second aspect is as an ablative measure for thermal or exotic attacks. The ferrofluid acts as a heat sink, dissipating, or in extreme cases evaporatively cooling, the impact site.

The control system, via the modulation of the electromagnetic plates, can shift the amount and density of ferrofluid in particular locations, allowing for increased or decreased defensive coverage.This allows for both conserving energy and ferrofluid mass, as well as for the opening of gaps within coverage to prevent the system from interfering with other hull mounted equipment, such as air vents, cameras, docking connectors or weapon ports.

Ferrofluid can be recovered by using the array of electromagnets to carry the fluid to collection ports for filtering of impacted materials, and then return to the holding tank. In cases where recollection is unwanted, for example in the cases of radiological attacks leaving the effected ferrofluid a hazard, the array can be deactivated and allow the effected materials to slough off the hull. Lost ferrofluid must be replaced to allow the system to function at full effectiveness however.

Modifications

Additives may be added to the ferrofluid solution for increased effectiveness. Additions of prismatic crystals or other reflective substances allow for increased effectiveness against photon based hazards such as optical lasers. The addition of ferroceramics increase density and resistance to ballistic impacts. The addition of lead particles increase density and also increase the fluids radiation resistance. Oxygen activated sealent compounds can be added to allow for the ferrofluid to carry out minimal repairs to hull leaks.

Additionally, for higher energy outputs used by the electromagnetic array, the ferrofluid itself can be used as vector for applications of force to the hull. A recirculating flow of ferrofluid could apply directional forces similar to a gyroscope.

Bloaking Device: An add-on to a standard ferrofluid pump that puts matte-black liquid in the system instead. Makes you hard to spot in space and from the ground at night, unless you're unlucky and fly in front of something. The catch is that you can't use ferrofluid at the same time, it's pointless on anything bigger than the smallest type of ship that has ferrofluid anyway, you can still get seen if the other guy is lucky, and the bloaking liquid circulation is not very efficient so there's an effective time limit.