{
    "title": "One-Terminal Capacitor",
    "inventor_name": "Joseph Hiddink",
    "publication_year": 1999,
    "device_name": "Capacity Changer",
    "goal": "Generate extremely high-voltage pulses to produce electrostatic thrust for levitation and propulsion (e.g., flying saucer).",
    "problem_addressed": "Conventional propulsion systems cannot achieve silent, high-speed lift-off without large masses or fuel; need a compact source of very high voltage pulses.",
    "concept_summary": "The Capacity Changer converts a conventional two-terminal capacitor into a one-terminal capacitor by extinguishing a plasma stream inside a glass tube. The plasma acts as the disappearing terminal; when it is removed, the remaining metal sphere becomes a single-terminal capacitor whose capacitance is far smaller, causing the voltage to rise proportionally (C/c x V). Repeated rapid conversion produces momentary high-voltage pulses that can repel the sphere from the ground and provide thrust.",
    "detailed_description": null,
    "category": "Electromagnetism & Magnetism",
    "principles": [
        "Capacitance conversion (C to c)",
        "Electrostatic repulsion",
        "Plasma discharge as temporary terminal",
        "Rapid switching of capacitor terminals"
    ],
    "scientific_domains": [
        "Electromagnetism",
        "Physics"
    ],
    "mechanisms_of_action": [
        "Charge redistribution when one terminal is removed",
        "Voltage amplification due to reduced capacitance",
        "Pulse generation via fast switching"
    ],
    "materials": [
        "Glass tube (ultraviolet light tube)",
        "Metal sphere (~=2 m diameter)",
        "Copper wiring",
        "Switches"
    ],
    "energy_sources": [
        "Battery (provides initial charging voltage)",
        "Stored electrostatic energy in the capacitor"
    ],
    "inputs": [
        "Battery voltage (e.g., 10 kV)",
        "Switch actuation signals"
    ],
    "outputs": [
        "High-voltage pulse (up to ~100 MV)",
        "Electrostatic thrust"
    ],
    "claimed_performance": "Momentary pulses of 20 000 - 100 million volts; lift-off of a sphere; propulsion to moon in hours (theoretical).",
    "experimental_evidence": "Author reports zapping nearby Hi-Fi equipment, generating three 500 kV pulses, and causing a power transformer to blow when the device was connected to ground.",
    "replication_status": "No independent verification; only anecdotal reports by the inventor.",
    "keywords": [
        "one-terminal capacitor",
        "capacity changer",
        "high-voltage pulse",
        "electrostatic propulsion",
        "plasma terminal",
        "capacitor conversion"
    ],
    "related_technologies": [
        "Conventional capacitors",
        "Plasma discharge devices",
        "Electrostatic thrusters"
    ],
    "controversy_level": "high",
    "confidence_score": 0.3,
    "practicability_score": 0.2,
    "fringe_score": 0.8,
    "evidence_strength": 0.2,
    "risk_score": 0.5,
    "trl_estimate": 2,
    "source_urls": [
        "http://www.groupkos.com/eso/tiki-index.php?page=One-Terminal+Capacitor",
        "http://www.keelynet.com/interact/archive/00000405.htm",
        "http://www.keelynet.com/interact/archive/00000534.htm",
        "http://www.mail-archive.com/interact@listserv.capital-master.com/msg00209.html",
        "http://www.halfbakery.com/user/Joseph_20Hiddink"
    ],
    "organizations": [
        "Gravityx"
    ],
    "applications": [
        "Propulsion of vehicles (flying saucer, VTOL)",
        "High-voltage pulse generation",
        "Potential power generation from ambient fields"
    ],
    "limitations": [
        "Requires extremely high voltage and rapid switching",
        "No peer-reviewed experimental data",
        "Safety hazards from uncontrolled discharges"
    ],
    "open_questions": [
        "Can the plasma-terminal mechanism be reliably reproduced?",
        "What is the efficiency of converting stored charge into thrust?",
        "How does the device scale to larger masses?"
    ],
    "red_flags": [
        "Grandiose claims (e.g., moon in three hours)",
        "Lack of independent testing or peer-reviewed publications",
        "Anecdotal evidence only"
    ],
    "evidence_quotes": [
        "I zapped all the HiFi's and TV's in the neighborhood (I fixed them all for free, but did not experiment at home anymore, as it also blew after a few seconds a big Power Transformer on a pole 100 yards away, luckily a Squirrel was blamed).",
        "Next experiment in the \"sticks\" had me lightning coming out of the clear blue sky, when I connected the device with a dog-screw to ground, and generated three pulses of 500,000 volts.",
        "If C = 1/10 Microfarad ... and is charged up to a potential of 10,000 volts, the charge is 1/10 Coulomb. When this capacitor gets changed into the 1-terminal capacitor ... the resulting electrical pulse is about 100 million volts."
    ]
}