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International Journal of Thermofluids

Available online 9 December 2024, 101012
In Press, Journal Pre-proofWhat's this?
International Journal of Thermofluids

Future of Antimatter Production, Storage, Control, and Annihilation
Applications in Propulsion Technologies

Author links open overlay panelSawsan Ammar Omira ^1, Abdel Hamid I. 
Mourad ^1 ^2
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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijft.2024.101012Get rights and content
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Highlights

  * *
    Antimatter can annihilate with matter in an explosive reaction
    with the highest energy density ever known in physics.
  * *
    Antimatter-matter annihilations have promising applications in
    deep space propulsion missions and energy generation.
  * *
    The reaction produces zero environmental footprint and is deemed
    the most sustainable means of propulsion.
  * *
    Although antimatter has substantial potential, its study is
    relatively recent, and no experimental work has been conducted
    yet.
  * *
    Antimatter propulsion has not been achieved yet, and the concept
    yet in its theoretical stage.
  * *
    The major challenges in advancing the field of antimatter are the
    high costs and limited availability of facilities.

Abstract

Antimatter propulsion is a groundbreaking technology with potential
to transform space exploration, enabling travel to distant locations
once deemed impossible. Utilizing antimatter annihilation, this
propulsion method boasts an unmatched energy density of 9 x 1016 J/
kg, released with 100% efficiency when antimatter meets matter.
Approximately 70% of this energy can be harnessed for propulsion,
offering superior efficiency compared to existing technologies,
despite some practical losses. Spacecrafts can traverse the Solar
System to reach nearby stars in span of days to weeks (within a human
lifetime) due to this enormous energy potential. Compared to
traditional rocket fuel and nuclear power, antimatter propulsion
promises significant environmental benefits by reducing carbon
emissions and radioactive waste. However, obstacles including the
difficulties of creating, storing, and identifying antimatter have
restricted the field's study and applications. For practical
implementation, existing concepts require to be further honed and
remain theoretical. The salient features of antimatter generation and
storage, as well as the present state of affairs and prospects for
revolutionary uses in aerospace engineering, are outlined in this
article. Antimatter propulsion is a promising technology that
requires more research and development to reach its full potential.

Graphical Abstract

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Keywords

Antimatter
Annihilation
Advanced propulsion
Deep-space missions
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Data availability

No data was used for the research described in the article.

Cited by (0)

(c) 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

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