Gravitic Tech and Society

Assumptions

When your sister hacks into the house's firmware.

Let's assume that it is possible to distort the space time continuum over short distances in between two parallel planes. The power output needed must match the total energy (potential and kinetic) of all mass interacting with the field. The force generated inside the field is counteracted by a force of equal magnitude attempting to collapse the field itself. A gravitic unit is thus made of a sandwich of a non-conductive hyperdense material that resists compression in between two layers of powered gravitic field substrate. The hyperdense mass can be tethered to an outside structure, thus providing a net acceleration in ways that offends many fundamental laws of thermodynamics (but is so convenient in a Traveller game). Osmium is commonly used in gravitic unit. We assume that power from fusion plants is nearly infinite.

Efficiency is better at higher area to thickness ratio, hence the benefit to stack many units along an axis. Artificial gravity for living space is another obvious application so as to partially cancel both microgravity and the crushing effects of 1G+ acceleration through space. Ships save energy by powering the fields inside its living space only when needed.

Obvious applications: Build a stack and tether the inner masses it to a superstructure to add kinetic energy to the system.

Simulating gravity (either to enhance or cancel) is done by placing the substrate above and under an open space. It is inefficient as the area to thickness ratio cannot be large (unlike in gravitic units).

Obvious applications: Within the confines of a defined volume, either cancel acceleration due to a thruster, or generate an artificial gravitational field.

Specifications of a Gravitic Unit

Osmium is about 3 times the density of steel, 8 times that of titanium and about 25 times more dense than TL10 plastics. Fields of up to 6G can be generated without damaging the unit, meaning that a mass ratio of 18, 48 and 125 are required to induce 1G respectively to superstructures of steel, titanium and plastics. 

Applications of the technology in a TL10 society

Let's brainstorm to identify how such superscience would be applied and change society.  

Construction

• Sky cranes: Tricky high structures may be constructed in prohibitive terrains. 
• Floating/unstable structures: Lighter structure may support much larger buildings.
• These assume a failsafe source of power: A bad assumption.
• Very tall structures.

Engineering

• Untethered lifts: Simple up/down conveyance.
• Sky elevators in principle, if a shaft can be constructed.
• Stairs are no longer necessary in reliably powered buildings.

Transportation

• Low ground pressure vehicles: Make all-terrain travel more practical.
• Grav vehicles: Low-speed, non aerodynamic transportations unconstrained by road systems. 
• Need for a routing system in high-traffic areas. 
• Water features and topography is beside the point.
• Vehicles may park high into structures instead of only to the ground. 
• TL10 society is physically segregated from lower TL ones.

Medicine

• Microgravity beds: Can stand up, taking on less space. Ease blood pressure, water retention. 
• Personal movers: Disabled people can now access everywhere using grav movers.