Dr Mike McCulloch
Profiles

Dr Mike McCulloch

Lecturer in Geomatics

School of Biological and Marine Sciences (Faculty of Science and Engineering)

Dr Mike McCulloch can be contacted through arrangement with our Press Office, to speak to the media on these areas of expertise.
  • Astrophysics
  • Ocean physics
  • General physics
Biography

Biography

Lecturer in geomatics (the maths of positioning in space), physicist and author of Physics from the Edge and Falling Up.

I have a BSc in Physics from the University of York, and a PhD in Physical Oceanography (ocean physics) from the University of Liverpool. I have suggested (and published in 26+ journal papers) a new cosmological model for inertia (called Quantised Inertia, QI) which predicts galaxy rotation without dark matter. QI offers a new way to extract thrust from the quantum vacuum for vehicles or spacecraft. I have been DARPA-funded to test this in the lab for four years. This has applications for eg: satellite station-keeping, cheaper launch. QI also predicts ways to harvest energy from the quantum vacuum. Information about quantised inertia:

Sep 2020. Article on QI-thrust in Popular Mechanics.

Nov 2018 Article on QI on Motherboard

Aug 2018. My talk at ANPA, Rowlands Castle

Mar 2018. TEDx talk on QI

Jan 2018. Article in Science Trends

Jun 2017. Video introduction to QI

Dec 2016. Radio interview. John Batchelor Show

Jun 2016. Radio interview on The Space Show

Jan 2013. Article in New Scientist

My blog is: Physics from the Edge. I'm on twitter as @memcculloch and I have written a book about Quantised Inertia / MiHsC, called Physics from the Edge.

Qualifications

1988-1991. BSc in Physics at the University of York, UK.

1992-1995. PhD in Physical Oceanography (ocean physics) at the University of Liverpool, UK.

1995-1998. Post-doctoral work at the Universities of Liverpool & Strathclyde, UK.

1998-2008. Ocean Model Scientist at the Met Office in Bracknell, then in Exeter, UK.

2008-now. Lecturer in Geomatics (the maths of positioning in space) at the University of Plymouth.

Professional membership

Member of the British Interplanetary Society.

Member of the Lifeboat Foundation.

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Teaching

Teaching

Teaching interests

I have bought myself out of teaching with the DARPA funding. No classes.

Research

Research

Research interests

My work proposes that the phenomenon called inertia is caused by relativistic horizons making the quantum vacuum non-uniform in space and this model, called quantised inertia, gets rid of dark matter and offers a new way to engineer thrust for any type of vehicle or spacecraft (horizon engineering). The prediction is that we can use electrical conductors or nano-engineered materials to make ‘synthetic horizons’, damping the quantum vacuum, in a similar way to the Casimir effect, and produce thrust without propellant. This has applications for satellite station-keeping, fuel-less propulsion and easier/cheaper space launches.

Research groups

Publications

Publications

Key publications

Key publications are highlighted

Journals

McCulloch, M.E. and J. Gine, 2021. The EPR paradox and the uncertainty principle. MPL-B, Vol. 35, 4, 2150072https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/10.1142/S021798492150072X Preprint: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349118140_The_EPR_paradox_and_the_uncertainty_principle

McCulloch, M.E., 2020. Quantised inertia and galaxy rotation from information theory. Advances in Astrophysics, 5, 4, 91-94. Link.

McCulloch, M.E., 2020. Can nano-materials push off the vacuum? Progress in Physics, 16, 73-74. Link.

McCulloch, M.E. and J. Gine, 2020. Deriving quantised inertia using horizon widths in the uncertainty principle. Adv. St. Theor. Phys., 14, 1, 1-8. Link

McCulloch, M.E. and J.H. Lucio, 2019. Testing Newton/GR, MoND and quantised inertia on wide binaries. Astrophys. Sc. Sci., 364, 121: Link

McCulloch, M.E., 2019. Superluminal travel from quantised inertia. J. Space Exploration. 8, 2. Link

McCulloch, M.E., 2019. Can we hide gravitational sources behind Rindler horizons? Progress in Physics, 15, 2, 72-74. Link

McCulloch, M.E., 2018. Propellant-less propulsion from quantised inertia. Journal of Space Exploration, 7, 3: Link

McCulloch, M.E., 2018. Can cold fusion be explained by quantised inertia? Progress in Physics, Vol. 14, 2,
63-65. Free Pdf

McCulloch, M.E. and J. Gine, 2017. Modified inertial mass from information loss. Mod. Phys. Lett. A., 1750148. Journal paper.

McCulloch, M.E., 2017. Galaxy rotations from quantised inertia and visible matter only. Astrophys. & Space Sci., 362,149. Free journal pdf. or preprint

McCulloch, M.E., 2017. Testing quantised inertia on emdrives with dielectrics. EPL, 118, 34003. Open Access Journal paper. Research Gate Preprint

McCulloch, M.E., 2017. Low acceleration dwarf galaxies as tests of quantised inertia. Astrophys. Space Sci., 362, 57. Free link: http://rdcu.be/px8h

McCulloch, M.E., 2017. The proton radius anomaly from the sheltering of Unruh radiation. Progress in Physics, 13, 2. PDF

McCulloch, M.E., 2016. Quantised inertia from relativity & the uncertainty principle, EPL, 115, 69001. arXiv preprint & ResearchGate preprint.

Gine, J. and M.E. McCulloch, 2016. Inertia from Unruh temperatures. Modern Physics Letters A, 31, 1650107. Abstract

McCulloch, M.E., 2015. Testing quantised inertia on the emdrive, EPL, 111, 60005. http://arxiv.org/abs/1604.03449

McCulloch, M.E., 2015. Energy from swastika-shaped rotors. Progress in Physics, 11, 2, 139-140.PDF

McCulloch, M.E., 2015. Can the emdrive be explained by quantised inertia? Progress in Physics, 11, 1, 78-80. Pdf.

McCulloch, M.E., 2014. Physics from the Edge: a new cosmological model for inertia. World Scientific. Link

McCulloch, M.E., 2014. A toy cosmology using a Hubble-scale Casimir effect. Galaxies, Vol. 2(1), 81-88. Abstract (free pdf).

McCulloch, M.E., 2014. Gravity from the uncertainty principle. ApSS. 349, 957-959. Abstract (click 'look inside' to see the pdf).

McCulloch, M.E., 2013. Inertia from an asymmetric Casimir effect. EPL, 101, 59001 (free pdf). arXiv: 1302.2775

McCulloch, M.E., 20??. Does inertia fail at light speed? Submitted to JBIS on the 10th April 2012..

McCulloch, M.E., 2012. Testing quantised inertia on galactic scales. Astrophysics and Space Science, Vol. 342, No. 2, 575-578. Journal. Preprint

Font et al., 2012. SMOS first data analysis for sea surface salinity determination. Int. J. Rem. Sensing (iFirst).

McCulloch, M.E., P. Spurgeon, A. Chuprin, 2012. Have mid-latitude ocean rain-lenses been seen by the SMOS satellite?. Ocean Modelling, Vols. 43-44, p108-111. Journal paper (free)

McCulloch, M.E., 20??. Quantised inertia and faster than light travel. Submitted to 100YSS/JBIS, Sept' 2011.

McCulloch, M.E., 2011. Can the Podkletnov effect be explained by quantised inertia? Physics procedia, 20, 134-139. Journal, Preprint

McCulloch, M.E., 2011. The Tajmar effect from quantised inertia. EPL, 95, 39002. Abstract (EPL) (free access to the pdf). Preprint (Selected by the journal to be in its 'Best of 2011 collection').

Spurgeon, P. et al., 2010. Ocean salinity retrieval approaches for the SMOS satellite. ESA Living Planet Symposium, Bergen, Norway, 2010. Proceedings, SP-686. pdf file

McCulloch, M.E., 2010. Minimum accelerations from quantised inertia. EPL, 90, 29001 (4pp). Journal pdf (not free). Preprint: http://arxiv.org/abs/1004.3303

Font J. et al., 2010. Overview of SMOS level 2 ocean salinity processing and first results. IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium 2010. IGARSS, p3146-3149.

McCulloch, M.E., 2010. Can the Tajmar effect be explained using a modification of inertia? EPL, 89, 19001 (4pp). Journal pdf (not free). Preprint. Selected by the journal for its "Best of 2010 collection".

McCulloch, M.E., 2008. Modelling the flyby anomalies using a modification of inertia. Mon. Not. Royal. Astro. Soc., Letters, 389 (1), L57-60. Journal pdf (free). Preprint: arXiv:/astro-ph/0806.4159

McCulloch, M.E., 2008. Can the flyby anomalies be explained by a modification of inertia? J. British Interplanetary Soc., Vol. 61, 373-378. Journal pdf (not free). Preprint: arXiv:/astro-ph/0712.3022

McCulloch, M.E., J.T.Heming, J.D.Stark, 2008. Hurricane deflection by sea surface temperature anomalies. 28th Conference on Hurricanes & Tropical Meteorology, Orlando, Florida, US. Abstract PDF: https://ams.confex.com/ams/pdfpapers/137582.pdf

McCulloch, M.E., 2007. Modelling the Pioneer anomaly as modified inertia. Mon. Not. Roy. Astro. Soc., 376, 338-342. Journal pdf (free). Preprint: http://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0612599/

Stark, J.D., C.J.Donlon, M.J.Martin and M.E.McCulloch, 2007. OSTIA: an operational, high resolution, real time, global sea surface temperature analysis system. Oceans '07 IEEE Aberdeen, conference proceedings. Vol 1-3, 331-334.

McCulloch, M.E., 2006. The effect of ocean currents on surface storm waves. Met Office, NCOF Technical Note, Number 4.

McCulloch, M.E., J.O.S.Alves & M.J.Bell, 2004. Modelling shallow mixed layers in the northeast Atlantic. J. Marine Systems, Vol. 52(1-4), pp 107-119. journal paper (free)

Leach, H., S.J. Bowerman, M.E. McCulloch, 2002. Upper ocean eddy transports of heat, potential vorticity and volume in the Northeastern North Atlantic. J. Phys. Oceanogr, 32 (10), 2926-2937.

McCulloch, M.E., 1998. Air-sea heat fluxes derived from sub-surface data in the Northeast Atlantic. Physics & Chemistry of the Earth, 23, No.5/6, 527-530.

McCulloch, M.E. and H. Leach, 1998. Air-sea fluxes inferred from an upper ocean heat budget northeast of the Azores. Q. J. Royal Met. Soc., 125, No.551, Part A, 2465.

Leach,H and R.T.Pollard et al., 1998. RRS Discovery Cruise 223 Report, 28 September - 19 November 1996. Southampton Oceanography Centre.

McCulloch, M.E., 1997. Inferring heat content changes from single hydrographic sections. Ocean Modelling, 113, 1-4.

McCulloch, M.E. and H. Leach, 1997. Seasonal heat and freshwater budgets of the upper ocean in the Northeast Atlantic. Q.J. Royal Met. Soc., 123, 767-784.

Leach, H, M.E. McCulloch, J. Bauer et al., 1995. Compendium of SEA ROVER long sections. Report, Liverpool University.

McCulloch, M.E., 1995. Seasonal heat and freshwater fluxes in the Northeast Atlantic. PhD thesis , Liverpool University.

McCulloch, M.E., 1993. Bubbles in accelerated reference frames, or: General relativity and cider do mix. POLemic (Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory Newsletter, Winter 1993).
Articles
McCulloch ME & Giné J (2021) 'The EPR paradox and the uncertainty principle' Modern Physics Letters B 35, (04) 2150072-2150072 , DOI
McCulloch ME & Lucio JH (2019) 'Testing Newton/GR, MoND and quantised inertia on wide binaries' Astrophysics and Space Science: an international journal of astronomy, astrophysics and space science 364, (8) , DOI Open access
McCulloch ME & Giné J (2017) 'Modified inertial mass from information loss' Modern Physics Letters A 32, (28) 1750148-1750148 , DOI Open access
McCulloch ME (2017) 'Galaxy rotations from quantised inertia and visible matter only' Astrophysics and Space Science 362, (9) , DOI Open access
McCulloch ME (2017) 'Testing quantised inertia on emdrives with dielectrics' EPL (Europhysics Letters) 118, (3) 34003-34003 , DOI Open access
McCulloch ME (2017) 'Low-acceleration dwarf galaxies as tests of quantised inertia' Astrophysics and Space Science 362, (3) , DOI
McCulloch ME (2016) 'Quantised inertia from relativity and the uncertainty principle' EPL (Europhysics Letters) 115, (6) 69001-69001 , DOI Open access
Giné J & McCulloch ME (2016) 'Inertial mass from Unruh temperatures' Modern Physics Letters A 31, (17) 1650107-1650107 , DOI
McCulloch ME (2015) 'Testing quantised inertia on the emdrive' EPL (Europhysics Letters) 111, (6) 0-0 , DOI Open access
McCulloch M (2014) 'A Toy Cosmology Using a Hubble-Scale Casimir Effect' Galaxies 2, (1) 81-88 , DOI
McCulloch ME (2014) 'Gravity from the uncertainty principle' ASTROPHYSICS AND SPACE SCIENCE 349, (2) 957-959 Author Site , DOI
McCulloch ME (2013) 'Inertia from an asymmetric Casimir effect' EPL 101, (5) Author Site , DOI
McCulloch ME, Spurgeon P & Chuprin A (2012) 'Have mid-latitude ocean rain-lenses been seen by the SMOS satellite?' OCEAN MODELLING 43-44, 108-111 Author Site , DOI
Font J, Boutin J, Reul N, Ballabrera-Poy J, Chuprin A, Spurgeon P, Gabarro C, Gourrion J, Guimbard S & Henocq C (2012) 'SMOS first data analysis for sea surface salinity determination' International Journal of Remote Sensing
McCulloch ME (2012) 'Testing quantised inertia on galactic scales' Astrophysics and Space Science: an international journal of astronomy, astrophysics and space science 342, number 2, 575-578
McCulloch ME (2010) 'Minimum accelerations from quantised inertia' EPL 90, (2) Author Site , DOI
McCulloch ME (2010) 'Can the Tajmar effect be explained using a modification of inertia?' EPL 89, (1) Author Site , DOI
McCulloch ME (2007) 'Modelling the<i>Pioneer</i>anomaly as modified inertia' Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 376, (1) 338-342 , DOI
McCulloch ME, Alves JOS & Bell MJ (2004) 'Modelling shallow mixed layers in the northeast Atlantic' Journal of Marine Systems 52, (1-4) 107-119 , DOI
Bell M, Barciela R, Hines A, Martin M, McCulloch M & Storkey D (2003) 'The forecasting ocean assimilation model (FOAM) system' 197-202 , DOI
Leach H, Bowerman SJ & McCulloch ME (2002) 'Upper-Ocean Eddy Transports of Heat, Potential Vorticity, and Volume in the Northeastern North Atlantic—“Vivaldi 1991”' Journal of Physical Oceanography 32, (10) 2926-2937 , DOI
McCulloch ME & Leach H (1998) 'Air-sea fluxes inferred from an upper ocean heat budget north-east of the Azores' Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society 124, (551) 2465-2476 , DOI
McCulloch ME (1998) 'Air-sea heat fluxes derived from sub-surface data in the Northeast Atlantic' Physics and Chemistry of the Earth 23, (5-6) 527-530 , DOI
McCulloch ME & Leach H (1997) 'Seasonal heat and freshwater budgets of the upper ocean in the North-east Atlantic' Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society 123, (539) 767-784 , DOI
Letters
McCulloch ME (2011) 'The Tajmar effect from quantised inertia' EPL 95,
McCulloch ME (2008) 'Modelling the flyby anomalies using a modification of inertia' MNRAS 389(1), L57-L60
Books
McCulloch ME (2014) Physics from the Edge. WORLD SCIENTIFIC , DOI
McCulloch ME (2014) Physics from the edge: A new cosmological model for inertia. , DOI
Conference Papers
Lavender S, Barker K, Fanton D'Andon O, Kay S, Bourg L, Kent C, Emsley S, McCulloch M & Goryl P (2011) 'Ocean colour uncertainties'
McCulloch ME (2011) 'Can the Podkletnov effect be explained by quantised inertia?' , DOI
Font J, Boutin J, Reul N, Spurgeon P, Ballabrera J, Chuprin A, Gabarro C, Gourrion J, Henocq C & Lavender S (2010) 'Overview of SMOS Level 2 Ocean Salinity processing and first results' IGARSS 2010 - 2010 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium 7-/-0/20107-/-0/2010IEEE , DOI
McCulloch ME (2008) 'Can the flyby anomalies be explained by a modification of inertia?' 373-378
McCulloch ME, Heming J & Stark JD (2008) 'Hurricane deflection by sea surface temperature anomalies' 28th Conference on Hurricanes & Tropical Meteorology. Orlando, Florida, US.
Stark JD, Donlon CJ, Martin MJ & McCulloch ME (2007) 'OSTIA : An operational, high resolution, real time, global sea surface temperature analysis system' OCEANS 2007 - Europe 6-/-0/20076-/-0/2007IEEE , DOI
Personal

Personal

Reports & invited lectures

2012. Invited to talk to the Physics Dept at St Andrews University on "Can inertia be modified electromagnetically?"

2011. Invited to talk at the NASA/DARPA 100 Year Starship Symposium in Orlando, US on "Quantised inertia and FTL".

2009 & 2010. Invited to talk at the International Flyby Anomaly Collaboration, at the International Space Science Institute (ISSI) in Bern, Switzerland.

Links

My blog "Physics from the Edge": http://physicsfromtheedge.blogspot.com/

I have written several short stories that are available on the H2G2 website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/U246476

My older webpage with the University of Exeter's Astrophysics Group:

http://www.astro.ex.ac.uk/people/mem/