Second-generation exoskeleton robotic suit Options Track this topic Email this topic Print this topic Download this topic Subscribe to this forum Display Modes Outline Switch to: Standard Switch to: Linear+

[Badmoodguy88]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39386045/ns/te...ch_and_gadgets/
kind of cool
I guess in Shdowrun 2070 it would be military armor with strength enhancements.

[Karoline]

Yeah, not sure. The problem with nuclear power sources is that there are a whole bunch of problems. As I said, there is a physical minimum size just for the material itself. Then you have to remember that a nuclear reaction doesn't simply generate usable energy, it generates tons and tons and tons of heat, which is used to boil water which turns turbines which generates usable energy.

So, a few of the problems are:
Radiation shielding to stop the reactor killing a person. (Actually, wouldn't a lead lining solve this?)
Minimum size of the reacting material.
Have to convert heat to usable energy.
Have to prevent massive heat from escaping and melting whatever it is near.
Means of preventing catastrophic failure.
I'm sure some others that I'm not thinking of.

Now, there is alot of research going into sustainable cold fusion reactions, which would solve a few of the problems, perhaps most of them. It would still likely have to be 50+ kilos even at its best because it would need lead in its construction to prevent radiation. Portable, depending on your definition of portable. Unlikely to ever have pocket sized or anything like that, but could potentially stick it on an exosuit.

Oh, could also be powered by wireless energy transmission via magnetic resonance, an interesting new technology that does just what it says on the box, transmits energy wirelessly. Great part is that they actually already have it working. Not sure how well it handles transfer over longer distances, but it could be a possibility to have a large generator near the front lines transferring power to suits in this way (with batteries in case the power is interrupted of course)