Macro-Engineering

by Badescu, Viorel; Cathcart, Richard Brook; Schuiling, Roelof D.

• ISBN13: 9781402037399
• ISBN10: 1402037392
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-10-15
• Publisher: Kluwer Academic Pub

Summary

Macro-engineering involves the large-scale modification and manipulation of natural systems for the benefit of mankind. The primary goals of some Earth-based macroprojects described in this book are power production, land reclamation, food production, climate change, environment, water, transport and coastal protection. Other Earth or space projects considered here have a more futuristic ring, but our present-day technical skill makes their realization possible. Earth-based macroprojects usually combine different aspects and aims. They have a major impact on the ecology of a region and the inhabitant's means of living (like tourism, fishing, shipping). Its effects may be felt worldwide, like the rise in global sea level after the damming and evaporation of large ocean gulfs for power production, or the change in climate following the regional reduction of solar insolation.

Table of Contents

Contributing Authors	ix
Preface	xi
Foreword	1	(2)
Acknowledgements	3	(2)
Geo-Engineering and Energy Production in the 21st Century	5	(16)
Richard Brook Cathcart
Viorel Badescu
Mineral Sequestration of CO2 and Recovery of the Heat of Reaction	21	(10)
Roelof Dirk Schuiling
Large-Scale Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) Technology: Solar Electricity for the Whole World	31	(14)
Evert H. Du Marchie Van Voorthuysen
Wind Parks, Mariculture, Nutrients from Organic Waste Streams, CO2 Sequestration: A Fruitful Combination?	45	(8)
Roelof Dirk Schuiling
Gerrit Oudakker
A Macro-Project to Reduce Hurricane Intensity and Slow Global Sea Level Rise	53	(12)
Richard LaRosa
Mitigation of Anthropogenic Climate Change Via a Macro-Engineering Scheme: Climate Modeling Results	65	(22)
Govindasamy Bala
Ken Caldeira
A Dual Use for Space Solar Power: The Global Weather Control Option	87	(34)
Ross N. Hoffman
John M. Henderson
George D. Modica
S. Mark Leidner
Christopher Grassotti
Thomas Nehrkorn
Space Towers	121	(30)
Alexander A. Bolonkin
Extreme Climate Control Membrane Structures: Nth Degree Macro-Engineering	151	(24)
Richard Brook Cathcart
Milan M. Cirkovic
Cable Anti-Gravitator, Electrostatic Levitation and Artificial Gravity	175	(40)
Alexander A. Bolonkin
Planetary Macro-Engineering Using Orbiting Solar Reflectors	215	(36)
Colin R. McInnes
Stellar Engines and the Controlled Movement of the Sun	251	(30)
Viorel Badescu
Richard Brook Cathcart
Macro-Engineering in the Galactic Context: A New Agenda for Astrobiology	281	(20)
Milan M. Cirkovic
Index	301	(6)
Color Plate Section	307