Could Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and Tesla coils make possible living computers?

We had with Tuomas Sorakivi a Google assisted discussion about Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) (see this) and microtubules (MTs) (see this). Both are cylindrical structures, albeit the MTs are much more complex. Google's language model demonstrated convincingly its power as a tool allowing us to get the information needed to test new ideas. Of course, the language models make mistakes so that they cannot be used as authorities.

1. MT consists of tubulins with 2 basic conformations, which Hameroff proposed to define a classical bit. This is quite possible. The energy difference between the conformations is .043 eV which corresponds to the typical energy of membrane potential around .05 eV.
2. Around the turn of the millennium, I proposed that the TGD view of space-time allows us to consider the possibility that MTs could act as quantum antennas and receive and send signals (see this). Later the findings of Blackman and others (see this) led to the notion that the hierarchy of effective Planck constants h_eff allow long scale quantum coherence at the field body of the system. For instance, communications from a MT to its magnetic body (MB) using large h_eff photons, which behave like dark photons, can be considered. The MB could also control the MT.
3. Some MTs could be quantum-critical systems in long, even astrophysical, scales. In some cases (for example, for MTs associated with cilia at the cell surface) MT length varies all the time and they are accompanied by a longitudinal electric field which in TGD framework is a signature of large h_eff phases which can be generated by Pollack effect.

   Since the increase of h_eff requires energy, quantum criticality requires metabolic energy input and GTP molecules at the surface of MT as a counterpart ATP counterparts would provide the metabolic energy. The fundamental frequency of the transmitted radiation thus varies and frequency-modulated signals are produced as the fundamental frequency of the sent signal is varied. Frequency modulation is the basic representation of information in the TGD model for biology and central in the TGD based view of number pulse and EEG (see this).

   Also the cell membrane would produce frequency-modulated Josephson radiation. The variation of the membrane potential would induce the frequency modulation. The MB of the cell would receive sensory information in this way as Josephson radiation would transform to a sequence of cyclotron resonance pulses.

4. The length of MT varies from 20 nm to 25 micrometers: this makes 3 orders of magnitude. The energies for the antenna photons would be in the range 62.5 eV -.05 eV. The lower limit of .05 eV corresponds to the typical Josephson energy associated with the cell membrane voltage (see this). Communication from and control of cell (axonal) membranes is suggestive. This could be essential for the cell motility based on ciliar dynamics.

   At the upper wavelength limit, the energies could correspond to the energy difference between X-OH and X-O^- + dark protons at the monopole flux tube defining the two states of a topological qubit. Could MT produce photons that, instead of solar light as in the ordinary Pollack effect, would produce the Pollack effect and kick the protons of -OH to a magnetic body and change the value of the topological bit? The energy range covers the frequency range of light up from infrared to the upper limit of UV. The lower limit of X-ray frequencies is 100 eV. These energies could induce molecular transitions. As found, the lower limit also corresponds to the energy difference between the 2 tubulin conformations.

5. After the discussion, the following question popped up. How do the in vivo and in vitro states for biomatter differ? Metabolism is of course the answer. In vivo, a part of the biosystem receives metabolic energy that is needed to maintain the h_eff distribution because h_eff tends to decrease all the time. This is not the case in vitro. This explains the differences. In the case of DNA and RNA, the permanent negative charge means in the TGD framework that dark protons reside at the monopole flux tubes stably. However, metabolic energy is needed to preserve the charge separation making possible the electric field. Same applies in the case of the cell membrane. The TGD based view of the basic information molecules and genetic code is discussed in detail in the article (see this).

CNTs are hexagonal lattices with a helical structure stable at room temperature. The hexagons form a helix and the pitch angle of the helix characterizes the helical structure. The notion of chirality makes sense and there is an analogy with DNA.

First some background.

1. TGD allows us to consider the possibility of hybrids of classical computers and quantum computers transforming them to genuinely intelligent living and conscious entities (see this and this). In the proposed model, the states of a topological qubit are realized as two states defined by the -OH side group and -O^- + dark protons (large h_eff on a magnetic body of the system.

   This dynamical topological qubit would accompany the ordinary bit. There are also more general identifications of topological qubits and cold plasmas are excellent candidates for the realization of dark qubits (see this). Dark protons could be replaced with dark metal ions and the findings of Blackman indeed support that dark Ca^{2+ ions are possible and led to the hypothesis about large h_eff hierarchy as phases of the ordinary matter behaving like dark matter.}

2. The basic prediction of TGD is that the dynamics of the space-time surfaces as analogs of Bohr orbits for particles identified as 3-surfaces ise slightly-non-deterministic: this leads to what I call zero energy ontology (ZEO) (see this). This is true also for the topological qubits: so that the temporal bit sequences defined by them are non-deterministic without a violation of the classical field equations. Temporal bit sequences are represented as Bohr orbit-like space-time surfaces and bits would correspond to the 3-D loci of non-determinism. The superpositions of these Bohr orbits as analogs of computer programs are possible and would accompany the classical program. Similar situation would prevail at the level of DNA and RNA (see thisand this).

1. In the CNT lattice, 3 valence bonds emanate from each C. The remaining electron is delocalized to a hexagon forming an aromatic ring. sp² hybridization, where s and p characterize electron orbitals, occurs. The energy spectrum of the π electron is in the range 1 meV - few eV.
2. The problem is that there are only C atoms present in CNT: -OH side groups must be created. Google informed us that this is possible. If the π electron is localized, the -OH can be placed at the resulting defect.
3. This cannot yet give a hybrid of quantum - and classical computers. How to get ordinary bits as partners for these topological qubits? A transistor provides the standard realization of a classical bit. Are CNT transistors possible? And again Google helped us: CNT transistors (CNFETs) represent a possible future technology and they define a basic research area in electronics!

For about 9 years ago I learned about mysterious looking self-organization of CNTs in the electromagnetic fields of Tesla coils (see this) and proposed a TGD based model for it (see this). This self-organization, occurring in unexpectedly long length scales of order 30 cm and involving their alignment, brings to mind microtubules.

Teslaphoresis means that CNTs self-organize in the oscillating electromagnetic field of a Tesla coil in length scale of order 30 cm, which is much longer than expected on basis of standard physics. CNSs tend to align in parallel. This unexpected self-organization of the CNTs brings to mind microtubules.

1. For a believer in standard physics, Tesla coils (see this) are a mere entertainment tool. From the TGD point of view they might be much more, a primitive life form. Google Gemini informs that Tesla coil is a resonant transformer circuit producing extremely high-voltage, high-frequency alternating current that creates spectacular lightning-like electrical arcs and demonstrates wireless energy transfer and high-frequency phenomena like X-rays and phosphorescence. It works by using coupled coils, capacitors, and spark gaps to amplify voltage dramatically, often exceeding a million volts, which corresponds to the mass scale of the electron.

   The electricity generated by the Tesla coil travels over the skin without harm, and lights up bulbs wirelessly. Standard physics explains this in terms of high frequency. In the TGD framework, the frequency would be very low but the energy E= h_emf would be high and could cause the exotic looking remote effects by energy resonance with ordinary matter with standard value of h_eff.

2. Tesla coils carry both classical magnetic fields and electric fields. In the TGD framework, the self-organization suggests a long range quantum coherence in length scales of order 30 cm. In TGD, one can speak of the electric body of the system characterized by a large value of electric Planck constant h_em and plasma phase (see this). Therefore the Tesla coil could be an essential element in making the system a macroscopically quantum coherent system.
3. In the TGD framework, this suggests that a large value of h_eff=h_em proportional to the electric field strength (see this) characterizes the electrons and makes possible for electrons to have long wavelength. Also dark protons at the magnetic body of the system would be present and could be characterized by the gravitational Planck constant ℏ_gr of the Earth. Pollack effect would transform protons to dark protons and generate a negative charge. This would make Tesla coils analogous to charged biological systems like DNA, microtubules and cells carrying strong electric fields.

   In the absence of a metabolic energy feed, the values of h_eff for particles tend to decrease. The electric fields require a charge separation and a permanent negative charge is a direct signature for the presence of condensate of dark protons at the magnetic body. Metabolic energy feed is required but would be used to preserve the electric field rather than to kick the protons back to the magnetic body. This mechanism would make DNA and RNA with constant linear charge density completely unique information molecules (see this). Something analogous would happen in the case of Tesla coil at its field bodies.

The consideration of the Tesla coil from the perspective of TGD could stimulate some ideas about how one might build living computer like systems using Tesla coils and CNTs.

1. The large charges in the capacitors C₁ and C₂ generate so strong electric fields that di-electric breakdown occurs in both of them. In the TGD framework (see this), the strong electric field is accompanied by dark electrons with a very large value h_eff =h_em proportional to the electric at the surface of the capacitor. Also dark protons at the magnetic body of the Earth could be generated. The long range of quantum coherence could explain the strange effects observed in length scales much longer than the size scale of the system and also the energy transfer by radiation over long distances.
2. Could the capacitor pair act as Josephson junction and generate oscillating non-dissipative Josephson currents generating Josephson radiation? This would mean an analogy with the cell membrane as it is modelled in TGD (see this).

   In the TGD based model of EEG, the Josepson radiation mediates information to the magnetic body of the system and cyclotron frequencies for dark ions in the "endogenous" magnetic field B_end∼ 2B_E/5, where B_E= .5 Gauss, assignable to monopole flux tube loops mediating the Earth's gravitational field, are favoured. These frequencies are in EEG range and correspond to resonance frequencies. The AC frequency, which for Tesla coils is typically 50 Hz, corresponds to the cyclotron frequency of a Lithium ion.

   One can ask whether the di-electric breakdowns could be analogs of nerve pulses. Note however that the nerve pulse is generated when the membrane potential is below a threshold rather than above it.

3. Radio waves with frequencies typically between 40 kHz and MHz are generated and energy and information are transferred wirelessly. An interesting possibility is that the photons with AC frequency are dark and have the same energy as the photons of ordinary radio wave photons. This requires h_em= ω₁/ω_AC. Already the wavelength λ_AC is rather long: for f= 1 MHz the wavelength would be λ₁=300 m. The presence of the gravitational magnetic body of the Earth suggests the presence of dark photons with energies which can be even in the visible range.

   The scaled up wavelength for f_AC=50 Hz would be λ_AC=6000 km to be compared with the Earth's radius R_E=6,371 km. Dark photons with wavelength of order Earth radius energy of radio wave photons might realize the dream of Tesla about effective energy transfer in the size scale of the Earth. The energy of these photons would be about 10^{-8 eV and rather small. For dark photons producing biophotons the energy would be in visible and UV range.}

4. The lighting of the bulbs is believed to be caused by strong electric fields associated with the Tesla coil. In fluorescent bulbs (ionization), the strong radio frequency electric fields generated by the Tesla coil accelerate electrons which collide with gas atoms and ionize them and create a plasma. The photons from the decays of excited electrons generate light. In the case of incandescent bulbs (induced current), the changing electric and magnetic induce currents directly to the bulb's tungsten filament.

   Could the large value of h_eff possibly associated with the "massless" extremals (see this) associated with the radiation could make possible dissipationless acceleration scaled up length scale, increasing the energies achieved in the acceleration. Also in the case of electrolytes the problem of how the relatively weak electric fields can induce ionization is encountered and the TGD proposal for the mechanism is the same as in the recent case.

5. In the TGD inspired biology, dark EEG photons transfer information. Could the Tesla coils plus CNTs give some day raise to conscious computers forming networks using dark AC photons to communicate. Could the biosphere be doing this already?

The following considerations were inspired by a Zoom discussion with Ville-Einari Saari and Marko Manninen about Tesla coils, in particular plasma lamp, also known as plasma globe, invented by Tesla ( (see this).

In TGD, both magnetic and electric fields are replaced by flux tubes which can also be monopole flux tubes. Electric flux tubes are deformations of magnetic ones. Magnetic and electric fluxes flow along them. This picture leads to a rather dramatic modification of the models of the atom and nucleus developed a couple of years ago. In the model also the Platonic solids also appear (see this). I am still a bit incredulous: can such a big revolution be possible at these supposedly well-known scales.

Monopole flux tubes are not visible except in the case of permanent magnets, when the magnetized substance accumulates around the flux tubes. Flux tubes are very thin and are not visible on the atomic and nuclear scales. How to make flux tubes visible in the general case? To be visible they should radiate and this requires charges.

1. The situation changes if the effective Planck constant h_eff is large. A good guess is that the flux tube thickness corresponds to the Compton wavelength, which scales with h_eff. The electric and gravitational Planck constant ℏ_em =Qq/β₀ and h_gr are natural candidates.
2. Consider first the gravitational option.

   Gravitational flux tubes are special in that each particle connected to a gravitating large mass M, say Earth, is characterized by gravitational Planck constant ℏ_gr= GMm/β₀ =r_Sm/2β₀, β₀= v₀/c\leq 1, proportional to the particle mass m and M. Each particle is on its own flux tube. This assumption makes sense only for ℏ_gr/ℏ>1.

   The Equivalence Principle implies that the gravitational Compton wavelength Λ_gr= GM/β₀ does not depend at all on the mass of the particle so that the thickness of the flux tube would be the same regardless of the particle mass. For the Earth with β₀ =1 it is one half of its Schwartzchild radius, which is about .1 cm. This is also the size scale of a snowflake. This is the order of these flux tube thicknesses inside the plasma sphere having a Tesla coil in itse interior! A testable prediction of this model that the flux tube thickness does not depend on the parameters of the Tesla coil.

3. For ℏ_em =Qq/β₀, where Q= ∮ EdS is electric charge assignable to a classical electric field of an object, which could be charged ball in Tesla coil or the capacitor C₁ in the primary of the Tesla coil. The thickness of the flux tube identified as electric Compton length would be given by Λ_em =Qq/β₀m. For electrons, the thickness would be about m_p/m_e∼ 1000 times larger than for protons.

   One obtains an order of magnitude estimate by using β₀∼ 1, q=e. The electric field eE causing a dielectric breakdown in air is 3MeV/m= 3m_e/m. This value of electric field gives for β₀=1 Λ_em= S/m. According to the Google language model, the estimate for the effective area of the plate of the primary capacitor C₁ in the Tesla coil varies from .75 m² to 2 m². For the electron, this gives Λ_em= (S/m²) meters so that the flux tubes would be rather thick. For the proton, the formula gives Λ_em∼ .53\times (S/m²) mm so that one would have Λ_em∼ 5Λ_gr. Could one consider some kind of electric-gravitational resonance?

4. h_eff tends to spontaneously decrease for the charges located at the flux tube by a transformation to ordinary charge. The dark energy is released as ordinary photons. This could make the flux tube visible if the emitted light is in the wavelength range of visible light. It could be possible to see the electric flux tubes with the naked eye! The might-be flux tubes inside the plasma ball tesla coil (also known as lava lamp) fluctuate continually. This could correspond to quantum criticality, which is due to the charge of the primary capacitor being close to the critical charge causing the dielectric breakdown through the gap. In the TGD Universe, quantum criticality is a fundamental feature of living systems.

   For a given frequency f, the energies E= h_emf are the same for the electron and proton. The cyclotron frequencies are proportional to 1/m. For ℏ{gr the cyclotron energies do not depend on particle mass and are therefore the same for electrons and protons. For h_em the cyclotron energies for electron and proton relate by a factor m_p/m_e. For h_em the flux tube thickness scales like m_p/m_e so that the magnetic field strengths would scale like 1/S \propto (m_e/m_p)² by flux quantization and the dark cyclotron energy would scale like m_e/m_p. If protons produce visible radiation in the eV range , electrons would produce radiation in the meV range. One could test whether meV radiation is present.

5. In the example about Tesla globe (see this). considered in the Zoom discussion, the disturbance of the supply current using a magnet led to the disappearance of the flux tubes. This could be due to that, due to the disturbance, energy was no longer fed into the system as efficiently, so new electrons and/or protons with a large h_eff were no longer created and the system "starved". The charges disappeared from the gravity tubes and the flux tubes were no longer visible. The thickness of the flux tubes supports that protons were involved and were located eith on the electric or gravitational flux tubes.
6. Tesla globes create electric arcs, which can be controlled by touch and music. The fascinating self-organization patterns induced by music challenge the belief that standard physics can explain their behavior.

See the chapter About Concrete Realization of Remote Metabolism or the article Tesla phoresis and TGD.