Questions tagged [technology]
For questions about the creation, use, and application of all types of technology.
4
votes
3answers
849 views
Is a self contained air-bullet cartridge feasible?
In my world, there is no access to modern or traditional gunpowder. I was wondering if a dedicated technician with a modern shop (cnc machines, and a surplus of parts and raw material, etc) would be ...
5
votes
3answers
217 views
Most effective melee weapons for arboreal combat? (pre-gunpowder technology)
The creatures I am working with are primate-like, hexapodal aliens with a terrestrial/ arboreal lifestyle. On flat land they are able to walk bipedally, freeing up their top 4 arms for manipulating ...
-3
votes
0answers
82 views
Lever action vs breech-loading [closed]
Which rifle is the more effective of the two? Lever action or breech-loading?
3
votes
2answers
116 views
Flywheels for high altitude airship control
Airships in RL are not very great in combat for various reasons. However in my setting there is Unobtanium that is repelled by gravity, instead of being attracted. A lump of Unobtanium can be used ...
4
votes
1answer
128 views
Can Roman-age tech break up harder metals?
This question is a follow up to my last one about silver
So silver and presumably all metals of lower and equal hardness can be broken down with muscle and stone tools, by forming droplets, using ...
-1
votes
0answers
63 views
could a steam powered ship be built in the 15th-17th century? [duplicate]
With the knowledge and tools required to build one, could a steam powered ship be built in that timeline? What challenges would they face and if they could build a steam engine how long would it take ...
4
votes
1answer
77 views
Atmospheric pressure engine train in the 15th-16th century
With the knowledge and tools required, could an atmospheric pressure engine train be built in the 15th-16th century? If so how effective would it be and what change would it bring to the world in that ...
41
votes
20answers
9k views
What could be the right powersource for 15 seconds lifespan disposable giant chainsaw?
Imagine when a jet fighter swoops in to drop a 400 pounds giant chainsaw to you just so that you can use it to grind down one problematic enemy into a pulp then discard it a foot away from you. What ...
-12
votes
1answer
146 views
Epic laser shark! do do do do do [closed]
idea
Sharks with lasers that blast through the ocean!
Yeah! Could it work though?
I am looking for some weapons to place on my sharks with fixed weapons on their heads. How feasible is it to ...
7
votes
5answers
354 views
Modification to Chariots for Heavy Cavalry Analogue for 4-armed race
I have a 4-armed race in my world that is the predominant species of a country. [ Country A] This race is also too heavy to ride horses as cavalry. A major enemy of this country is a human race that ...
3
votes
5answers
1k views
Could an aircraft fly or hover using only jets of compressed air?
In a world with practically unlimited energy and advanced technology they have no need to burn fuels for energy or even use fire. To travel around their huge planet cities they use aircraft and hover ...
8
votes
7answers
2k views
Is it logically or scientifically possible to artificially send energy to the body?
Is it possible to use a power plant-like machine to create small amounts of electrical (or other) energy directly inside the human body, making it such that the human has energy for activity without ...
28
votes
17answers
6k views
How could indestructible materials be used in power generation?
Background:
In this scenario assume technology is initially equal to our own, but a method is discovered to render material indestructible. The affected material is treated as requiring infinite or ...
4
votes
3answers
214 views
need help building a convincing Airship steam engine room [closed]
Building a world with airships that are powered by steam engines. Big boiler, water tank, lots of coal. Enormous engine room. Propellers, masts with huge sails. There are steam-powered automatons in ...
5
votes
4answers
339 views
How long would a stoplight work after the apocalypse?
The apocalypse has come! Everything is dead, and I do mean everything. People. Animals. Plants. Don't ask how, I'm not entirely sure.
Let's assume this town is in an out-of-the way area as far as ...
4
votes
3answers
183 views
How to have a robotic whip move effectively?
I recently read The Prefect (now named Aurora Rising) by Alistair Reynolds. The book is about a police force protecting a belt of space stations. The local democratic regime has mostly disarmed the ...
-4
votes
2answers
155 views
Killing TV Presenters by Audience Consensus - Diss Topia
In a dystopian world (Diss Topia) of the future, being a TV presenter is a hazardous job.
All viewers have the ability to vote to save or kill a given presenter while they are on air (more ...
-3
votes
12answers
352 views
A properly malfunctioning gun [closed]
A friend of mine wrote me: "I have designed a rifle that cannot be used for a terrorist attack. It fails to shoot in the instance of it. Other than that it is a good gun. In fact it is the best and a ...
0
votes
3answers
138 views
Is using Casaba Howitzer like devices as precision-cutting implements plausible?
How well would something like a Casaba Howitzer work as a beam weapon? A Casaba Howitzer is a type of directional blast that focuses energy from an explosion into a specific shape or direction. For ...
-4
votes
5answers
247 views
In a world without software how would Hacking work?
A definition of computer hacking.
Computer hacking refers to the practice of modifying or altering computer software and hardware to accomplish a goal that is considered to be outside of the ...
1
vote
3answers
125 views
Why would jupiter brain be completely devoid of ocean? [closed]
Jupiter brain is known as a colossal computer the size of a planet, if heat dissipation is a concern when constructing it how come most models lack an ocean of distilled reverse osmosis UV treated ...
5
votes
7answers
159 views
Feasibility or challenges of using stealth “fighters” for weapon control
So, say you have a stealth technology that is really effective. But, the tech is too big to mount on missiles, and anything over a certain size (like a space ship) is too large to hide properly. If ...
8
votes
2answers
119 views
What geological and chemical changes to the earth's makeup could effectively limit technological advancement
Basically, I want to freeze the technology of earth at a level reminiscent of pre-Industrial Revolution Europe. I'm trying to figure out what substance or material would have to be absent from the ...
0
votes
2answers
163 views
Making a low-budget flash grenade during medieval era
In a world consisting of dark-age-esque technology, how would an alchemist go about making a low-budget "flash grenade?"
2
votes
3answers
109 views
Is spaceship made of precast reinforced concrete tougher than those malleable alloy?
Set in the mid 22nd century AD, a major construction work is being carried out in the orbit of Uranus. The military is developing a cheaper fleets using precast reinforced concrete(PRC) hoping to ...
1
vote
2answers
138 views
What would happen if a modern model city was found in a fantasy world?
Now to clarify, when I say a modern model city, I don't mean simply getting New York and plonking it somewhere on fantasy land #27544. I mean a city specifically designed for the purpose of being ...
14
votes
10answers
4k views
Could solar power be utilized and substitute coal in the 19th century?
Would it be possible for a nation with 19th century to very early 20th century technology and history and hot desert climate to utilize solar power for electrical generation as a substitute for coal ...
1
vote
0answers
76 views
How would a world where electronics are organically based differ from ours? [closed]
I'm building a Retrofuture space fantasy setting.
Some relevant information on that can be found here...
One of the core aspects to me of the retro sci-fi aesthetic is its hardware focused nature. I ...
2
votes
4answers
314 views
How would a Type I civilization not cook itself?
A type 1 civilization is defined as a civilization that can utilize the maximum amount of energy equal available to its entire planet, roughly 1017 watts for Earth.
This is equal to the amount of ...
0
votes
1answer
86 views
Gunpowder in the 15th-16th century [duplicate]
If smokeless powder was already invented then and machines to help make rimfire cartridges, could a sub/light machine gun be invented?
6
votes
5answers
229 views
How can ruler support the invention of useful things?
Good rulers support invention of useful things. But this question has two sides.
Support of invention
Prevention of fake inventing
Basis:
Many inventions arise as side-effects of searching for ...
0
votes
1answer
241 views
There are diamonds 10 times tougher than ceramics, approaching some aluminum alloys toughness, are these diamonds useful as an armor? [duplicate]
According to this paper if diamonds are doped with some boron and nitrogen it will gain enormous toughness while retaining the superhardness characteristic of diamonds.
This diamonds reach toughness ...
46
votes
14answers
9k views
How to preserve electronics (computers, tablets and phones) for hundreds of years
Let's say you wanted to preserve some electronics for 500 years or more in a museum. What could you do to preserve them in working order for hundreds of years? Deep freeze? Lead lined vaults? Vacuum? ...
-4
votes
3answers
80 views
How to compromise block chain force shield? [closed]
Set in the distant future, a notorious terrorist group infamously known as "51 Crew" is planning an ambush near the orbit of Thebe, Jovian moon. In the next few hours an armoured shuttle holding a ...
7
votes
8answers
316 views
Self-charging PCP Airgun
In my story idea the main character is given a PCP airgun with a sort of self-charging mechanism in order to commit certain covert operations by assassinating certain individuals. (Don't ask, he was ...
4
votes
5answers
277 views
How to detect gyroswords
So, in the land of futuristic feudalism, the board of sword duels has a dilemma. During a duel, one of the duelists added put gyroscopes in his sword. He claimed this was to improve his balance, which ...
1
vote
3answers
152 views
Could a pump jet be made in the 15th-16th century? [closed]
With the knowledge required, could the pump jet be created for use in ships in the given timeline? If not, what other forms of engines can be made in said timeline that can power ships without the use ...
15
votes
7answers
3k views
What kind of footwear is suitable for walking in micro gravity environment?
Set in the near future, the interior of the spaceship is coated with thin layers of Teflon approximately 10mm average thickness on top of titanium alloy which in case you are wondering it is weakly ...
3
votes
4answers
718 views
Can a one-dimensional blade cut everything ? (chainsaw) (Sword)
I was thinking in a character who has a...kind of Steam powered Chainsaw, and a sword, what make them special is because the blades of the chainsaw are one-dimensional, same with the sword, they are ...
7
votes
2answers
222 views
Ancient Egypt - Primitive Blockchain Technology
Premise
The goal is to implement a bronze age version of blockchain in ancient Egypt to introduce a layer of security for the royal tombs.
Tomb raiding was rampant, and at times even the legitimate ...
9
votes
1answer
144 views
Low-efficiency fusion propulsion?
I'm working on a fusion rocket concept for a hard science fiction setting. I'm envisioning laser catalyzed Proton-Boron reactors (low waste heat, aneutronic, 100% of their output being He4 Alpha ...
5
votes
3answers
91 views
Antimatter internal combustion engine
I have an idea for an extremely crackpot engine design for a future society I may incorporate into my story.
What would happen is individual antihydrogen molecules injected into the center of carbon ...
4
votes
6answers
519 views
What benefits would translucent full body armour do for immortal beings? [closed]
Set in present day Egypt, a race of immortal humanoid beings were seen with a translucent body armour covering from head to toe. They come in peace and harbour no ill intents, that said their kind of ...
3
votes
3answers
300 views
Is there any advantage to have A.I. being able to experience loneliness?
Let get this straight being lonely is different from solitude, human is arguably one of the most successful animals ever to walk on two. The secret lies in social interaction, the early humans hunt in ...
6
votes
3answers
576 views
Humans have energy, but not water. What happens? [closed]
Suppose that through a "hand-wavium" genetic engineering coupled with nanotechnology the humanity was able to develop a body battery.
How does this work? It provides enough energy for the human body....
0
votes
1answer
147 views
Could another species overtake us technologically? [closed]
Is it possible for another of Earth's species to catch up and overtake us technologically over the next million years or so? Assuming we survive that long as a species and our technology stagnates ...
31
votes
12answers
10k views
In the late 1940’s to early 1950’s what technology was available that could melt a LOT of ice?
In my story I’ve devised lore where Greenland becomes a US territory, and they begin populating the region. It initially just served as the hub for numerous military bases and airbases, but eventually ...
3
votes
8answers
320 views
Tactics for society with indestructible material
I'm thinking of creating a society with an indestructible material at its disposal, with molecular bonds impossible to break once it has been synthesized and cast. How would a society using this ...
53
votes
19answers
11k views
How do spaceships determine each other's mass in space?
Set in the distant future, space travel becomes prominent and cheap. I can imagine each spaceship would have a multitude array of sensors to track distance and relative position in space. Is there a ...
7
votes
2answers
185 views
Unearthing a landfill 50-100 years later [closed]
I am working on a post-apocalyptic world with relatively advanced small-scale militaries. In what ways are landfills useful as sources of rare earth metals, glass, or other materials?
Edit:
Mostly ...
