Vishal Patel, a graduate student researcher in the Department of Nuclear Engineering at Texas A&M University, and other experts from the U.S. Department of Energy’s national laboratories gathered via webinar to answer questions about the forms of energy used in the "Star Wars" universe. Patel is a researcher at Idaho National Laboratory’s Center for Space Nuclear Research where he works on finding new energy solutions in nuclear power that can fuel future spacecraft.
The topics of the webinar ranged from questions about "Star Wars" weaponry, to fuel sources and energy efficiency.
Using case studies from the "Star Wars" films, Patel and the other experts were able to determine the kind of energy needs it would take to power cities in the "Star Wars" universe and how much energy it would take for the Death Star to destroy a planet. Patel was the only student-level researcher among the expert panel and answered questions primarily on fuel source applications for popular franchise items such as the light-saber, Jango Fett’s jetpack and the Death Star.
While much of the discussion was able to apply the technology to our current scientific understanding, the experts agreed that due to unknown conditions of available materials in the "Star Wars" universe, it would be difficult to account for all the variables.
“You’re talking about a people where energy is not an issue,” said Chris Ebbers, a physicist from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. “They’re probably not using conventional fuels to be burned.”
Additional topics of discussion included the science behind deflector shields, charged energy weapons such as blasters, and the feasibility of a battery powered R2-D2. According to Patel and the other members of the expert panel, discussions of the energy usage in fictional universes such as Star Wars have similar merit to real world energy discussions.
“If we can inspire just a single person to think about something new and outside the box to help them in their day or help civilization, that would be wonderful.” said Patel.