AARO Releases Lab Report on Alleged Alien Metamaterial

[MonkeeSage]

Summary via John Greenwald:

Article:

The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) published two reports detailing the analysis of a magnesium alloy specimen that has been the subject of much speculation. The specimen, purportedly recovered from a crashed extraterrestrial vehicle in 1947, has been alleged to exhibit extraordinary properties, including functioning as a terahertz waveguide and generating antigravity capabilities.

In 2022, AARO contracted Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to conduct a thorough investigation into the specimen's origins and properties. According to AARO's summary on their website, "In 2022, The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) contracted with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to conduct materials testing on a magnesium (Mg) alloy specimen. This specimen has been publicly alleged to be a component recovered from a crashed extraterrestrial vehicle in 1947, and purportedly exhibits extraordinary properties, such as functioning as a terahertz waveguide to generate antigravity capabilities. In April 2024, ORNL produced a summary of findings documenting the laboratory's methodology to assess this specimen's elemental and structural characteristics."

ORNL's investigation involved a series of advanced tests, including isotopic ratio measurements, elemental composition analysis, and structural characterization using microscopy and spectrometry techniques. The findings, as documented in the reports, indicate that the specimen is of terrestrial origin, according to ORNL. The isotopic composition of the magnesium and lead in the specimen falls within the expected values for terrestrial materials, suggesting that it is not extraterrestrial.

"ORNL assessed this specimen to be terrestrial in origin and that it does not meet the theoretical requirements to function as a terahertz (THz) waveguide," the AARO report states. The analysis revealed that the bismuth layers within the specimen were intermixed with lead, which precludes the possibility of it functioning as a waveguide. The report further explains that "this specimen's elemental and structural characteristics do not meet the conditions to theoretically function as a waveguide."

The historical context provided by AARO adds another layer to their analysis. The characteristics of the specimen are consistent with mid-20th-century magnesium alloy research and development projects, which often involved the use of zinc, lead, and bismuth additives for various purposes, including corrosion resistance. The banding and structural features observed in the specimen align with manufacturing techniques from that era, such as vapor deposition.

Despite the conclusive findings, the reports acknowledge the specimen's long and debated history. While the analysis strongly supports a terrestrial origin, the exact historical origin and purpose of the specimen remain unclear due to its undocumented chain of custody and conflicting personal accounts. AARO's summary notes that "the specimen's delamination, oxidation, and structural characteristics are consistent with exposure to environmental and mechanical stresses over time."

Source: https://www.theblackvault.com/documentarchive/aaro-releases-findings-on-suspected-extraterrestrial-alloy/

Direct links to AARO papers:
https://www.aaro.mil/Portals/136/PD...-Synopsis_Analysis_of_a_Metallic_Specimen.pdf
https://www.aaro.mil/Portals/136/PD..._to_ORNLs_Analysis_of_a_Metallic_Specimen.pdf

 

[Mendel]

• not a waveguide
• not interstellar
=> ufologists' claims entirely bogus, discrediting their experts

AARO previously represented this specimen as possibly a missile fragment; that is no longer upheld, but consistent with the findings here.

 

[MonkeeSage]

I think there might be a discrepancy here?

In 2022, The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) contracted with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to conduct materials testing on a magnesium (Mg) alloy specimen. This specimen has been publicly alleged to be a component recovered from a crashed extraterrestrial vehicle in 1947...

I assumed these were the Arts Parts/LMH/ TTSA bits from the CRADA with the Army, which I assumed were the Ubatuba fragments. But that event allegedly happened in 1957 not 1947.

Are there other magnesium bismuth fragments, and from 1947? I looked briefly back over the excellent metamaterials thread but didn't see it.

Perhaps AARO confused the date of the original Arts Parts bits, claimed to be "pure aluminum" from Roswell, since the Ubatuba bits were often presented together with no distinction when they were originally being promoted?

 

[Mendel]

I assumed these were the Arts Parts/LMH/ TTSA bits from the CRADA with the Army, which I assumed were the Ubatuba fragments. But that event allegedly happened in 1957 not 1947.

You're inconsistent yourself.

Art's Parts are claimed Roswell debris, and TTSA has them, see https://www.metabunk.org/threads/meta-materials-from-ufos.12995/

Ubatuba is different, and not relevant here.

 

[MonkeeSage]

Ubatuba is different, and not relevant here.

Is there a magnesium bismuth alloy fragment from 1947 that claimed to be from a crash? That's what I am trying to figure out, as I didn't find it in the metamaterials thread.

The Ubatuba one from 1957 is the only one I am aware of and it was later included in Art's Parts. They were often presented in the same context as the originally claimed 1947 bits, with no distinction that it was from a different source.

Here is the computer video of the video taping of high-voltage testing on thebismuth/magnesium piece of Art's Parts.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20010614020521/http://www.artbell.com/roscrash.html

 

[MonkeeSage]

Ubatuba is different, and not relevant here.

You are right. Ubatuba bits are completely different and were not part of Art's Parts it seems.

The Ubatuba fragments seem to be these.

The AARO report seems to be on the fragment from Art's Parts, which apparently is claimed to be from the 1940's, but is separate from the original "pure aluminum" bits.

 

[NorCal Dave]

The AARO report seems to be on the fragment from Art's Parts, which apparently is claimed to be from the 1940's, but is separate from the original "pure aluminum" bits.

Correct. I thought I had that in the Meta-Materials thread, but I also included the complete text of the letters from "A Friend" so it might have gotten confused. "A Friend" first sent Art Bell bits of aluminum he claimed his dad or grandfather, (I don't remember off the top of my head) recovered at the Roswell UFO crash. After Bell's people concluded the bits were in fact just aluminum, "A Friend" then sent Bell the MgBi layered sample claiming his dad had removed it from the out hull of the crashed flying saucer.

As noted in the Meta-Material thread, it seems likely that Travis Taylor of Secrets of Skinwalker Ranch and Ancient Alines fame, first suggested the THz waveguide thing to Linda Multon Howe who was researching the sample for Art Bell back in the '90s. She ended up with the samples and eventually gave/sold them to DeLong who in turn sold them to his own company, TTSA ($35,000). For some reason the Army entered into a CRADA with TTSA to study this bit of junk, which I suppose is how AARO ended up with it.

 

[MonkeeSage]

I didn't realize that this bit was claimed to be from 1947. It's hard to keep all of it straight, honestly. Appreciate the work you put into that thread.

 

[NorCal Dave]

I didn't realize that this bit was claimed to be from 1947. It's hard to keep all of it strait honestly. Appreciate the work you put into that thread.

Keeping it all straight is the crux of a lot of it. UFOlogist just go along with "It's from 1947 and Roswell" without ever looking into where that claim originates, as did the Army apparently.

As I noted in that thread, I included the entire text of "A Friends" letters because one, they were already on the WayBack site, so I wanted record of them and second so that anyone that thinks for a moment this bit of junk came from the '47 Roswell crash can see for themselves the claim for that. The letters are completely bonkers! Not only does his grandad collect all this stuff at the crash site and squirrel it away, grandad also rides back with the living alien who communicates telepathically that they crashed their ship sacrificing themselves, rather than activate their "Dimensional power plant" which would have destroyed several states in the Southwest and part of Mexico. It's ludicrous!

In addition, "A Friend" who wants to remain anonymous to protect his military career but drops all kinds of clues as to who he is/was had he been real, which I doubt he was.

And yet, these ridicules letters and their crazy stories are what connect this bit of junk to 1947 Roswell. I wonder if half of the people, like Puthoff and DeLong have ever read up on the origin of the claim, or just go along with it.

Thanks for sharing this AARO update.

 

[Ben Harris]

You would think--if the proponents REALLY thought this a genuine sample--that the paternity would be air tight, nailed down and without dispute. The laxness is so indicative of the UFO circus.

 

[Mendel]

You would think--if the proponents REALLY thought this a genuine sample--that the paternity would be air tight, nailed down and without dispute. The laxness is so indicative of the UFO circus.

If there was a sample with clear provenience, we'd have proof of an actual alien craft.
That's never happened, so what's left is bits of scrap and wishful thinking, with the same logic as always: "If you can't explain where it came from, it must be alien!" It's baseless mystery-mongering.

 

[Ann K]

You would think--if the proponents REALLY thought this a genuine sample--that the paternity would be air tight, nailed down and without dispute. The laxness is so indicative of the UFO circus.

No, I understand this, if the finding came first and the "UFO identification" came later. Sample goes in pocket, perhaps along with other bits picked up in other places, gets passed on to other people in other places with only a verbal report about the location, THEN eventually gets analyzed.

 

[Scaramanga]

Summary via John Greenwald:

Article:

The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) published two reports detailing the analysis of a magnesium alloy specimen that has been the subject of much speculation. The specimen, purportedly recovered from a crashed extraterrestrial vehicle in 1947, has been alleged to exhibit extraordinary properties, including functioning as a terahertz waveguide and generating antigravity capabilities.

In 2022, AARO contracted Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to conduct a thorough investigation into the specimen's origins and properties. According to AARO's summary on their website, "In 2022, The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) contracted with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to conduct materials testing on a magnesium (Mg) alloy specimen. This specimen has been publicly alleged to be a component recovered from a crashed extraterrestrial vehicle in 1947, and purportedly exhibits extraordinary properties, such as functioning as a terahertz waveguide to generate antigravity capabilities. In April 2024, ORNL produced a summary of findings documenting the laboratory's methodology to assess this specimen's elemental and structural characteristics."

ORNL's investigation involved a series of advanced tests, including isotopic ratio measurements, elemental composition analysis, and structural characterization using microscopy and spectrometry techniques. The findings, as documented in the reports, indicate that the specimen is of terrestrial origin, according to ORNL. The isotopic composition of the magnesium and lead in the specimen falls within the expected values for terrestrial materials, suggesting that it is not extraterrestrial.

"ORNL assessed this specimen to be terrestrial in origin and that it does not meet the theoretical requirements to function as a terahertz (THz) waveguide," the AARO report states. The analysis revealed that the bismuth layers within the specimen were intermixed with lead, which precludes the possibility of it functioning as a waveguide. The report further explains that "this specimen's elemental and structural characteristics do not meet the conditions to theoretically function as a waveguide."

The historical context provided by AARO adds another layer to their analysis. The characteristics of the specimen are consistent with mid-20th-century magnesium alloy research and development projects, which often involved the use of zinc, lead, and bismuth additives for various purposes, including corrosion resistance. The banding and structural features observed in the specimen align with manufacturing techniques from that era, such as vapor deposition.

Despite the conclusive findings, the reports acknowledge the specimen's long and debated history. While the analysis strongly supports a terrestrial origin, the exact historical origin and purpose of the specimen remain unclear due to its undocumented chain of custody and conflicting personal accounts. AARO's summary notes that "the specimen's delamination, oxidation, and structural characteristics are consistent with exposure to environmental and mechanical stresses over time."

Source: https://www.theblackvault.com/documentarchive/aaro-releases-findings-on-suspected-extraterrestrial-alloy/

Direct links to AARO papers:
https://www.aaro.mil/Portals/136/PDFs/Information Papers/ORNL-Synopsis_Analysis_of_a_Metallic_Specimen.pdf
https://www.aaro.mil/Portals/136/PDFs/Information Papers/AAROs_Supplement_tRNLs_Analysis_of_a_Metallic_Specimen.pdf

The bit that says ... "The specimen, purportedly recovered from a crashed extraterrestrial vehicle in 1947, has been alleged to exhibit extraordinary properties, including functioning as a terahertz waveguide and generating antigravity capabilities "....

Who purportedly alleged such, and where are the details of their tests ? I mean, what were they basing their claims on ? I have a vague recollection that Harold Puthoff has been involved in this but even he denied the alien origin. So it's hard to know how the original claims actually came about.

 

[Mauro]

.... the same logic as always: "If you can't explain where it came from, it must be alien!" It's baseless mystery-mongering.

Agree, it's the classic aliens of the gaps fallacy.

 

[NorCal Dave]

Who purportedly alleged such, and where are the details of their tests ? I mean, what were they basing their claims on ? I have a vague recollection that Harold Puthoff has been involved in this but even he denied the alien origin. So it's hard to know how the original claims actually came about.

It's somewhat scattered about in UFOlogy lore. A few years ago Tom DeLong went on the Joe Rogan podcast and said it could float if hit with a "terahertz" (whatever that means):

These are undoubtedly the same materials mentioned by DeLonge on his Joe Rogan interview where he stated, "if you hit it with enough terahertz, it'll float."

https://www.vice.com/en/article/qvg...ic-metals-that-might-actually-just-be-bismuth

And he tweeted it might be part of a new propulsion system:

That claim in turn seems to go back to Travis Taylor, who as an unknown physics guy in the '90s, volunteered to test the sample for Howe after hearing her plea for help on Art Bell's Coast to Coast AM. In a 2004 lecture, Howe played some audio of Taylor and showed some video of the sample vibrating around on a plate. These experiments took place in ~1996.

There is a description of the experiments from a WayBack about Coast to Coast AM:

Here is the original camcorder video by Travis Taylor photographed thursday September 12, with Emory Scientific small Van de Graaf generator. Webster's definition of a Van de Graaf generator is "An electrostatic generator in which electric charge is either removed from or transferred to a large hollow spherical electrode by a rapidly moving belt, in some configurations producing potentials over a million volts, and used with an acceleration tube as an electron or ion accelerator." Inventor was Robert Jemison Van de Graaf, American physicist, 1901-1967.

This demonstration by Travis Taylor involved about 500,000 volts of electrostatic field with bismuth/magnesium piece compared to a piece of aluminum cut from a pop can.

Starting with 00:00 at first frame of colored picture forward, the sequences are:

• 00:00 Intro
• :43 Close-up Van de Graaf generator first with bismuth/mag piece on it. Piece jumps vertically upward - normal influence of a strong ellectrostatic field.
• 1:20 Puts aluminun piece in for comparision. Does same thing.
• 2:10 Puts plastic lid on generator to act as an insulator.
• 2:47 Bis/Mag moves a little by itself, sideways, not up and down. Dark bis side up.
• 3:00 Travis puts his index finger down through field to change shape of field lines to see if more effect on bis/mag. Some erratic movement toward and away from hisfinger.
• 3:45 Tries metal electrode with no significant result.
• 4:00 More electrode, moves a little.
• 4:20 Bis/Mag moves by itself in considerable sideways motion and falls off insulator cap. (637K Executable File)
• 4:29 Aluminum on insulator - no movement at all.
• 5:07 Bis/Mag with black bismuth side up. Nothing much happens.
• 5:20 Travis flips piece over so silver magnesium is on top - then there is more sideways motion when his finger enters the field. (601K Executable File)
• 6:20 Aluminum piece back on insulator cap; Travis using finger. But aluminum does not move around like bis/mag.
• 6:50 Travis summary.
• 8:30 END.

https://web.archive.org/web/20010614020521/http://www.artbell.com/roscrash.html

Here is a Howe's video lecture that should be cued up to 42:00 where she shows video likely form the experiment described above:

Source: https://youtu.be/pfLUAiTnlcw?t=2576

A Nicholas A. Reiter also tested the sample for Howe and found it unremarkable, but he mentions what sounds like Taylor making the levitation claim:

Claims were made by a Tesla coil enthusiast in Alabama that the portion of the artifact in his possession acted strangely and tried to levitate in the presence of the electrostatic field of a Van de Graaf generator and a radio frequency source. We did perform a separate replication here, and found that our metal fragment danced about as well in the field of a Van de Graaf. And so did a piece of aluminum foil! Please understand that just about any small unattached mass will dance in the field of a 200,000 volt source! The mythos grew…

http://www.ufowatchdog.com/howeufodebris.htm

So, it would seem the "scientifically" based claim that this sample might fly or levitate originates with Travis Taylor in the '90s and has just carried on.

Now remember, if AARO testing shows this is just a piece of terrestrial junk, that's exactly what the aliens indented, they are very intelligent after all. As "A Friend" noted in his letter to Howe (bold by me):

Firstly, I note that the intent of your own efforts as to the exams of the "artifacts" is to confirm some sort of other-world extraterrestial, source of the metals.

This was the initial aspect of the original exams. But, what came to light was that the metal was virtually indiscernable to Earth metals. According to Grandad's notations: "this was to insure that in the event of crash or capture, that no verification as to the alien network or the homeworld confederation could be proven, and a compromise of the Alien directives transpired". Apparantly, "the probeships were constructed with metallic base metals, indistinguishable from Terran metals, as a protective measure & security safeguard".

Ol' Grandad learned this from the surviving alien and their Babylonian script:

All this information was acquired from the sole surviving Alien occupant, and was correlated with information retrieved from the databanks of the command console panels within the Disc command center. It took a full year and a half to decipher the Alien language, which resembled ancient Babylonian script. But, with the help of World War II cryptologists who worked with the War Department, the code texts were broken, and deciphered.

https://web.archive.org/web/20010614020521/http://www.artbell.com/roscrash.html

I believe that's the basic history of why some folks think this sample is special.

 

[Mendel]

Who purportedly alleged such, and where are the details of their tests ? I mean, what were they basing their claims on ?

TTSA (Elizondo) alleged this as basis for the Cooperative Research And Development Agreement (CRADA) that you can read at https://www.metabunk.org/threads/aaros-historical-uap-report-volume-1.13375/post-312296 .

This pertains directly to the specimen that Oak Ridge issued the report on that we're discussing here.

@NorCal Dave has already explained how TTSA might have come to claim this. Given Travis Taylor's performance on the Skinwalker Ranch TV show, it doesn't surprise me that his claims might tend to be more imaginative than realistic.

 

[JMartJr]

Now remember, if AARO testing shows this is just a piece of terrestrial junk, that's exactly what the aliens indented, they are very intelligent after all.

The fact that it is not unusual at all proves how unusual it is! This has passed the Silliness Event Horizon.

 

[NorCal Dave]

The fact that it is not unusual at all proves how unusual it is! This has passed the Silliness Event Horizon.

Indeed! The thing is, the story of where this sample came from was bonkers and crazy back in 1996 when it first came about. Who reads the letters from "A Friend" and takes any of it seriously?! I half suspect the author was just toying with Bell and Howe (not B&H the old projectors we had in grade school) seeing how far he could stretch the credulity, which was pretty far it appears.

But here we are nearly 30 years later, and they are STILL analyzing this piece of junk, now with taxpayer money.

Again, I would love to sit Puthoff or DeLong or Elizondo or any of these other clowns that take this sample seriously and have them read to me each of "A Friend's" 4 letters out loud. Then look me in the face and say this makes perfect sense and sounds completely legit. That would make an entertaining Joe Rogan episode.

 

[jarlrmai]

now with taxpayer money.

more taxpayer money

 

[Mendel]

The problem with the CRADA was that TTSA had a say in how the results of the analysis were published—they weren't. The AARO/Oak Ridge investigation was apparently unencumbered by these legal concerns, which means AARO was able to issue this public report. It hopefully prevents more taxpayer money being spent on scrap with wishful claims attached.

 

[JMartJr]

It hopefully prevents more taxpayer money being spent on scrap with wishful claims attached.

Hope is free, I guess...

 

[MonkeeSage]

I found an archived article by LMH from 2017 where she states Hal Puthoff studied the sample twice and found in 2012 that it "did not yield an interesting/ anomalous outcome in tests involving the application of various fields" but recommended testing if it functioned as terahertz waveguide. He notably doesn't say anything about terahertz waves making it float, but that's the earliest reference I have found to it being a terahertz waveguide.

Alleged extraterrestrial metal from bottom of a "wedge-shaped craft" in late 1940s,
made of 26 alternating layers: 1 to 4 microns dark bismuth and 100 to 200 microns
silver magnesium/zinc alloy. Each of six pieces received from U. S. Army source were
"formed" with a curvature that tapered. Photograph by Tim Bauer.


August 5, 2017 Austin, Texas- Among the dozen scientists and laboratories who have had a piece of the micron-layered Bi/Mg-Zn to study since 1996, electrical engineer and physicist Harold E. Puthoff, Ph.D., has worked with the strange material twice. [...]

1999 Testing by Hal Puthoff, Ph.D.,
Inst. for Advanced Studies - Austin

Dr. Puthoff was aware of my effortsin 1996 to 1998 to investigate the layered Bi/Mg-Zn metal allegedly pulled off the bottom of a wedge-shaped UFO west of Sierra Blanca mountain in New Mexico back in 1947. By January 7, 1999, we had exchanged a letter of agreement about specific testing goals he could try on a piece of the layered Bi/Mg-Zn at his Institute for Advanced Studies in Austin, Texas. That day I sent him a small sample with a summary of our agreed test goals:

1) Would it turn into a "lifting body" (anti-gravity) inside a strong electrostatic field augmented by a 7 Ha signal?

2) Do the bismuth and magnesium-zinc micron layers show intelligent molecular level design in x-ray crystallography?

3) Will the layered Bi/Mg-Zn respond to various dynamic magnetic fields?

4) Does the layered metal have super-conducting properties?

5) Can any laboratory reproduce precisely the 1 to 4 microns of pure bismuth in alternating layers with 100 to 200 microns of 97.6% magnesium in alloy with 2.4% zinc?

Dr. Puthoff returned the small Bi/Mg-Zn sample to me after a couple of months in 1999 without any definitive results to the above questions.


2012 Testing by Hal Puthoff, Ph.D.,
Inst. for Advanced Studies - Austin

Then thirteen years later in April 2012, Hal Puthoff and I talked again about his trying more tests of a bigger piece of Bi/Mg-Zn in his newly expanded laboratory facilities.

In an April 6, 2012, letter to Hal, I wrote:



Above Page 1; Below Page 2 - April 6, 2012, Letter from Linda Moulton Howe to
Harold "Hal" E. Puthoff, Ph.D., President and CEO, Earth Tech International
and Institute for Advanced Studies at Austin, Texas.




September 24, 2012 - Dr. Puthoff Recommends
Testing Bi/Mg-Zn As Waveguide for Sub-Wavelength THz

Six months later on September 24, 2012, Hal Puthoff wrote me the following summary letter after his second round of tests with the Bi/Mg-Zn layered metal. He did not find any "lifting body" interactions of the layered metal in various electromagnetic fields, whether dynamic or static.


After second round of testing the Bi/Mg-Zn layered metal in 2012 — thirteen years after his
first 1999 round of testing — electrical engineer and physicist Hal Puthoff, Ph.D.,
suggested high frequency testing of the micron-layered metal with sub-wavelength
THz (terahertz) signals to see if the bismuth layers functioned as a
waveguide structure for sub-wavelength THz.

Source: https://archive.ph/kXr43

 

[NorCal Dave]

I found an archived article by LMH from 2017 where she states Hal Puthoff studied the sample twice and found in 2012 that it "did not yield an interesting/ anomalous outcome in tests involving the application of various fields" but recommended testing if it functioned as terahertz waveguide. He notably doesn't say anything about terahertz waves making it float, but that's the earliest reference I have found to it being a terahertz waveguide.

Alleged extraterrestrial metal from bottom of a "wedge-shaped craft" in late 1940s,
made of 26 alternating layers: 1 to 4 microns dark bismuth and 100 to 200 microns
silver magnesium/zinc alloy. Each of six pieces received from U. S. Army source were
"formed" with a curvature that tapered. Photograph by Tim Bauer.


August 5, 2017 Austin, Texas- Among the dozen scientists and laboratories who have had a piece of the micron-layered Bi/Mg-Zn to study since 1996, electrical engineer and physicist Harold E. Puthoff, Ph.D., has worked with the strange material twice. [...]

1999 Testing by Hal Puthoff, Ph.D.,
Inst. for Advanced Studies - Austin

Dr. Puthoff was aware of my effortsin 1996 to 1998 to investigate the layered Bi/Mg-Zn metal allegedly pulled off the bottom of a wedge-shaped UFO west of Sierra Blanca mountain in New Mexico back in 1947. By January 7, 1999, we had exchanged a letter of agreement about specific testing goals he could try on a piece of the layered Bi/Mg-Zn at his Institute for Advanced Studies in Austin, Texas. That day I sent him a small sample with a summary of our agreed test goals:

1) Would it turn into a "lifting body" (anti-gravity) inside a strong electrostatic field augmented by a 7 Ha signal?

2) Do the bismuth and magnesium-zinc micron layers show intelligent molecular level design in x-ray crystallography?

3) Will the layered Bi/Mg-Zn respond to various dynamic magnetic fields?

4) Does the layered metal have super-conducting properties?

5) Can any laboratory reproduce precisely the 1 to 4 microns of pure bismuth in alternating layers with 100 to 200 microns of 97.6% magnesium in alloy with 2.4% zinc?

Dr. Puthoff returned the small Bi/Mg-Zn sample to me after a couple of months in 1999 without any definitive results to the above questions.


2012 Testing by Hal Puthoff, Ph.D.,
Inst. for Advanced Studies - Austin

Then thirteen years later in April 2012, Hal Puthoff and I talked again about his trying more tests of a bigger piece of Bi/Mg-Zn in his newly expanded laboratory facilities.

In an April 6, 2012, letter to Hal, I wrote:



Above Page 1; Below Page 2 - April 6, 2012, Letter from Linda Moulton Howe to
Harold "Hal" E. Puthoff, Ph.D., President and CEO, Earth Tech International
and Institute for Advanced Studies at Austin, Texas.




September 24, 2012 - Dr. Puthoff Recommends
Testing Bi/Mg-Zn As Waveguide for Sub-Wavelength THz

Six months later on September 24, 2012, Hal Puthoff wrote me the following summary letter after his second round of tests with the Bi/Mg-Zn layered metal. He did not find any "lifting body" interactions of the layered metal in various electromagnetic fields, whether dynamic or static.


After second round of testing the Bi/Mg-Zn layered metal in 2012 — thirteen years after his
first 1999 round of testing — electrical engineer and physicist Hal Puthoff, Ph.D.,
suggested high frequency testing of the micron-layered metal with sub-wavelength
THz (terahertz) signals to see if the bismuth layers functioned as a
waveguide structure for sub-wavelength THz.

Source: https://archive.ph/kXr43

Nice find! So maybe this is the source of the "THz waveguide" claim as opposed to the "hit it with a THz and it'll float" anti-gravity claims. We have Travis Taylor and Hal Puthoff, both SWR veterans making various claims about this sample with no real evidence.

 

[Mendel]

I found an archived article by LMH from 2017 where she states Hal Puthoff studied the sample twice and found in 2012 that it "did not yield an interesting/ anomalous outcome in tests involving the application of various fields" but recommended testing if it functioned as terahertz waveguide.

Six months later on September 24, 2012, Hal Puthoff wrote me the following summary letter after his second round of tests with the Bi/Mg-Zn layered metal. He did not find any "lifting body" interactions of the layered metal in various electromagnetic fields, whether dynamic or static.

So TTSA already knew the sample doesn't have anti-gravity properties!?!
Then why assert it in the CRADA?
They got the government/army to spend money to analyse their sample, which was a worthless endeavour because a), it's not floating (common sense and tests), and b) we already know how to make terahertz waveguides. The CRADA seems to have been another scam, with L. Elizondo as its principal instigator investigator.

 

[NorCal Dave]

So TTSA already knew the sample doesn't have anti-gravity properties!?!
Then why assert it in the CRADA?
They got the government/army to spend money to analyse their sample, which was a worthless endeavour because a), it's not floating (common sense and tests), and b) we already know how to make terahertz waveguides. The CRADA seems to have been another scam, with L. Elizondo as its principal instigator investigator.

Yeah. Just speculating here, but it's unclear how exactly TTSA operated and who did what. I'll have to do some digging when time permits, but I know there was some revelations about TTSA showing it to be largely a money funnel for DeLong. As noted, he was selling Art's Parts to TTSA while still asking people to invest in the enterprise, acting as a paid middleman between his own company and Howe.

Semivan and Puthoff were co-founders of TTSA along with DeLong, but how much they actually did is unclear. People like Melon, Elizondo and others were part of the "board" and along for the ride it seems. Puthoff may have known the sample would not float, but DeLong made the claim anyways. Possibly unaware of Puthoff's work? Some in the UFOlogical/SWR circle, like Melon and Knapp have a huge man-crush on Puthoff and take his ramblings very seriously. I could see him being brought in as a figurehead type co-founder to give some legitimacy to DeLong who was most well-known for a music video in which he runs naked through the streets of LA. Puthoff then goes back to his office in Texas and collects a fee while DeLong runs TTSA.

Most of the "intellectual output" of TTSA including some speculative books and TV shows, seemed largely the work of DeLong and Elizondo. IIRC, the CRADA would NOT include and payments to TTSA, like AAWSAP to BAASS did, it was just a joint study effort and TTSA would have stood to profit IF something useful came of it.

Maybe DeLong and Elizondo still believed in the Taylor claims of anit-gravity. Another possibility is they knew the sample wasn't all that special but convinced the Army to enter into a CRADA in another effort to legitimize TTSA:

Vice reported that the company's "partnership with the U.S. Army may mean that it fancies itself as a military contractor", but that the organization "swings between being contenders for military contracts and a UFO research organization".[17][18]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_the_Stars_(company)

Up until that point besides the leaked Navy videos likely provided by Melon and Elizondo, TTSA's output had been some books and bad TV shows, the so called "entertainment" side of their supposed 2-pronged approach combining speculative entertainment with hard science research in pursuit of disclosure. The CRADA was their attempt at science.

In any event, Melon, Elizondo and other parted ways with TTSA, possibly over the money issues. TTSA no longer exists it seems, as any attempt to find it on the web redirects to "To The Stars" where one can buy some DeLong merch, including hot sauce and a white Strat ($1399, limited to 1 per customer, they're collectable don't you know):

https://tothestars.media/

More accurately, it appears TTSA reverted to TTS which was DeLong's original media company that TTSA acquired (as in paid for?) when it was created:

The company was founded in 2017 as a public benefit corporation by Jim Semivan, a former senior Intelligence Officer with the CIA; Harold E. Puthoff; and Tom DeLonge.[1] [2] The Entertainment Division was created by acquiring DeLonge's previous media company, To the Stars, Inc.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_the_Stars_(company)

And just so we're all aware, TTS appreciates the effort of AARO testing the sample and providing a possible explanation for it, but not a definitive one (bold by me):

To The Stars* (TTS*) is pleased that both Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL) and The All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) have completed their analysis of the Mg-Bi material. While both reports offer suggestions as to the possible provenance of the Mg-Bi material, the reports do not offer a firm conclusion as to the origin and purpose of the material along with other seeming anomalies. TTS* has more questions about both reports which we will address separately when two of our own scientists meet with ORNL in the near future to discuss the results in more detail.

That said, TTS* certainly appreciates the level of effort that ORNL, AARO and the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) put into these analyses so they could better determine the materials unique characteristics.

As many of you are aware, the original intent of this study, from the beginning and from all parties, was to ensure complete transparency of the analytical process and to release the results publicly, which TTS* is now doing. And we will continually seek to have research and analysis conducted on all material received by TTS* in an effort to determine the differences between what is ordinary and what is extraordinary.

Stay tuned...

https://tothestars.media/blogs/press-and-news/ornl-and-aaro-material-analysis

AARO didn't say the sample was alien, but they didn't say it wasn't! Stay tuned...

 

[Scaramanga]

It's somewhat scattered about in UFOlogy lore. A few years ago Tom DeLong went on the Joe Rogan podcast and said it could float if hit with a "terahertz" (whatever that means):

Ah, so its ' a friend of a friend of my Aunt's sister's friend' sort of thing. It's like all those stories of Dulce underground alien base....entire books written about vast underground caverns filled with aliens, all based on ' a friend of a friend of some security guard saw it '.

 

[Mendel]

Most of the "intellectual output" of TTSA including some speculative books and TV shows, seemed largely the work of DeLong and Elizondo. IIRC, the CRADA would NOT include and payments to TTSA, like AAWSAP to BAASS did, it was just a joint study effort and TTSA would have stood to profit IF something useful came of it.

Elizondo is listed as the "principal investigator" for TTSA on the CRADA.

The CRADA means that the army pays for research that TTSA ought to be paying for; the army did this because they were hoping for those anti-gravity benefits that TTSA claimed against better knowledge.

Article:

As many of you are aware, the original intent of this study, from the beginning and from all parties, was to ensure complete transparency of the analytical process and to release the results publicly, which TTS* is now doing. And we will continually seek to have research and analysis conducted on all material received by TTS* in an effort to determine the differences between what is ordinary and what is extraordinary.

Source: https://tothestars.media/blogs/press-and-news/ornl-and-aaro-material-analysis

To my knowledge, TTS* has not released the analyses made under the CRADA publicly? That press release only links the new analysis.
Though, to be fair, TTS* did permit the AARO analysis to happen.

 

[jplaza]

Source: https://archive.ph/kXr43

a waveguide structure that permits sub-wavelength THz (terahertz) signals to propagate freely through the waveguide even though sub-wavelength in size -a quite unique property of these specific materials and their dimensional structure due to an unusual negative refractive index over a particular, well-defined, frequency range

Oh, so Puthoff was actually thinking in a metamaterial in the way it is usually understood after all. During the 2010's (email memorandum is dated in 2012) 'metametarials' was indeed a hot topic in research and development. Periodic structures that electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength greater than the structure periodicity would effectively "see" in average as a negative index at least for a narrow band of frequencies. 'subwavelength' refers to the structure periodicity being much smaller than the EM radiaton wavelength. I feel Puthoff is misunderstanding/misusing the term there.

As for a THz waveguide creating any kind of antigravity, it never made any sense to start with.

 

[Kyle Ferriter]

John Greenewald at The Black Vault has obtained the CRADA close-out report, which in my reading is a brief template-driven summary of why the publicly-funded project was not a waste of resources. So its phrasings are tailored for that purpose.

https://www.theblackvault.com/docum...tary-now-says-about-ttsas-anomalous-artifact/

 

[Mendel]

https://www.theblackvault.com/docum...tary-now-says-about-ttsas-anomalous-artifact/

While the Army and AARO have now made available both the contractual documentation and supporting scientific findings, TTSA, now known as "To The Stars" (TTS), has remained largely silent on the results of the CRADA. The organization once promoted itself as a beacon of transparency while soliciting millions in public investment under the claim it had access to extraordinary materials. Despite this, TTSA has not released its own technical findings, updates, or final assessments of Artifact A1.

Disclosure now!

 

[NorCal Dave]

John Greenewald at The Black Vault has obtained the CRADA close-out report, which in my reading is a brief template-driven summary of why the publicly-funded project was not a waste of resources. So its phrasings are tailored for that purpose.

https://www.theblackvault.com/docum...tary-now-says-about-ttsas-anomalous-artifact/

Yeah, Greenwald doesn't seem very impressed with TTSA, or now TTS (post #25):

It should be noted that the only sample provided by TTSA for testing under the CRADA was the Magnesium-Zinc-Bismuth Artifact designated as "A1." No additional samples such as an A2, A3, etc. were submitted for analysis during the five-year partnership, despite TTSA's previous public assertions that it had acquired multiple alleged artifacts from various witnesses and caretakers/investigators of exotic materials. Despite the organization's broad claims about possessing a collection of anomalous items, the Army's documentation confirms that only a single artifact was ever made available for government evaluation.

While the Army and AARO have now made available both the contractual documentation and supporting scientific findings, TTSA, now known as "To The Stars" (TTS), has remained largely silent on the results of the CRADA. The organization once promoted itself as a beacon of transparency while soliciting millions in public investment under the claim it had access to extraordinary materials. Despite this, TTSA has not released its own technical findings, updates, or final assessments of Artifact A1.

Ironically, the very government agencies that TTSA once criticized for secrecy have now been more forthcoming than the organization itself. From the release of the full CRADA to the scientific findings now published by AARO, the Army has ultimately provided the most detailed account of the project's scope and conclusions.

TTS did release a vague statement after the AARO report was released (bold by me):

To The Stars* (TTS*) is pleased that both Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL) and The All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) have completed their analysis of the Mg-Bi material. While both reports offer suggestions as to the possible provenance of the Mg-Bi material, the reports do not offer a firm conclusion as to the origin and purpose of the material along with other seeming anomalies. TTS* has more questions about both reports which we will address separately when two of our own scientists meet with ORNL in the near future to discuss the results in more detail.

https://tothestars.media/blogs/press-and-news/ornl-and-aaro-material-analysis

As for the CRADA Close Out report, the single sample, Artifact A1 is useless:

The USG found that the physical and elemental properties of the A1 are incompatible in its
current state to serve as an EM wave guide. While the samples possessed the constituent
materials suitable for an EM waveguide, the present physical structure and elemental properties
are incompatible to function as an EM waveguide. Considering all available evidence, the USG
assessed that this specimen is likely a test object, a manufacturing product or byproduct, or a
material component of aerospace performance studies to evaluate the properties of Mg alloys.

And:

2. Did you or the collaborator test and evaluate developing technology with
intellectual property rights assigned?
The A1 sample was the intellectual property of TTS. A1 was determined to have no military or
ground vehicle application as presented. No joint intellectual property was developed under the
CRADA.

3. Did the research yield expected results?
The research did not yield a useable EM waveguide design that was anticipated upon entrance
of the collaboration.

8. Why or why not did the technology advance or not advance?
The technology artifact presented by TTS was not in pristine condition given its chain of custody
and reported history. The technology artifact's physical/structural state and elemental
properties are incompatible to function as an EM waveguide as originally described by TTS and
concluded by AARO.

Note "manufacturing product, or a byproduct" is consistent with the sample being industrial waste from lead smelting.

In addition, there is a link to AARO's requested study of this sample by Oak Ridge National Laboratories (ORNL):

https://www.aaro.mil/Portals/136/PDFs/Information Papers/ORNL-Synopsis_Analysis_of_a_Metallic_Specimen.pdf

The report aknowladges the claims concerning this sample upfront:

The material specimen, whose origin and purpose are of long and debated history, is claimed to be recoveredfrom an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) crash in or around 1947. Furthermore, the specimen'sphysiochemical properties are claimed to make the material capable of "inertial mass reduction" (i.e., levitation orantigravity functionality), possibly attributable to the material's bismuth and magnesium layers acting as a terahertzwaveguide

And AARO had ORNL test these claims:

AARO tasked ORNL with assessing whether (1) the specimen is of terrestrial origin and (2) the bismuth in thespecimen could act as a terahertz waveguide. DEVCOM Ground Vehicle System Center provided ORNL accessto the metallic specimen—a single parent sample and three previously derived subsamples, all from the samematerial—beginning in February 2023.

ORNL materials science analyses evaluated the sample's structure, chemical composition, and isotope ratios viamultiple methods, including microscopy, spectroscopy, and spectrometry. Results align with previous DEVCOManalyses, indicating that the structure and composition of the bismuth layers do not meet the requirementsnecessary to serve as a terahertz waveguide. Furthermore, all data strongly support that the material is terrestrialin origin.

The tests don't go well for the proponents of the claims:

Pure single-crystalline bismuth in a single thin layer has been postulated to have the ability to function as a waveguide,a material that can disrupt or direct an electric or energy field—in this case, terahertz waves (electromagnetic waveswith microscale wavelengths). Although the damage to the specimen (including suspected heat stress) precludesa definitive statement describing the specimen's original structure, the amorphous and nanocrystalline appearanceof the bismuth in the examined layers of the current specimen likely indicates that a pure crystalline layer of bismuthwas never present within the material.

Moreover, the postulated structure of such a theoretical bismuth-based wave guide requires it to be in a single layer between a material possessing a different dielectric constant. However, multiple bismuth layers through out material have not been postulated to be capable of achieving or improving this wave guide functionality—in fact,multiple layers could instead interfere with such functionality. Thus, the layered nature of the impure bismuth within the specimen likely precludes it from acting as a wave guide (Figure 5).

Finally, based on the postulated hypothetical uses of bismuth, the dielectric properties necessary for bismuth to function as a wave guide would have been disrupted in this material because the bismuth in the specimen is colocated and mixed with lead (Figures 3 and 5). Based on these findings ORNL determined that this material is highly unlikely to have ever functioned as a bismuth-based terahertz wave guide.

I'll note the phrases "(including suspected heat stress)" and "colocated and mixed with lead" to again mention the theory that this sample is some sort of by product of lead smelting.

So, no wave guiding is going to happen with this bit of junk, and it's not from another star system:

Multicollector ICP-MS analysis showed that the specimen's magnesium and lead isotope composition is consistent with other materials manufactured and used terrestrially (Figures 6 and 7).

The magnesium isotopic signature of the specimen is fractionated (possibly owing to the mechanical and heat strain that the material appears to have undergone) but falls within normal terrestrial compositions and precisely within the expected trend lines of fractionation (Figure 6).

Each star system has a magnesium isotopic compositionthat was inherited from its local star-forming region. Figure 6 shows the magnesium isotopic signature of variousmaterials originating within our solar system.

If a material originated outside our solar system, its magnesium isotopic signature could plot nearly anywhere in the topgraphic representation of Figure 6—instead, the specimen's data plots it precisely within the expected fractionationtrendlines for known compositions specific to our solar system.

Less complexly, the lead isotopic signature of this specimen is fully consistent with "common lead" compositions that exist naturally on Earth and within terrestrial materials (Figure 7), distinctly separate from even lunar materials,indicating it is extremely likely that the material originated on Earth.

Note again "heat strain" and "lead".

Finally concluding:

AARO secured ORNL to independently assess the requirements necessary to confirm or contest public claims that this historical specimen is of non-terrestrial origin and that it is capable of functioning as a bismuth-based terahertz wave guide. Although the origin, chain of custody, and ultimate purpose of this specimen remain unclear,a modern and robust analysis of its chemical and structural composition and properties does not indicate that its origin is non-terrestrial, nor do the data indicate that the material examined ever had the pure single-crystalline bismuth layer that could possibly have acted as a terahertz wave guide. The intended or actual past use of the material remains undetermined, but ORNL has a high level of confidence that all data indicate the material was manufactured terrestrially—albeit using an uncommon mixture of elements by today's standards—and then incurred damage caused by mechanical and heat stressors.

One would think, this is a classic case of "be careful what you wish for". For nearly 3 decades now the likes of Linda Multon Howe, Travis Taylor, Tom DeLong and others in the UFO community have been making a number of claims concerning this sample. Stating that it came from a crashed flying saucer at Roswell, could float with anti-gravity properties, was impossible to create on Earth, functioned as a terahertz wave guide and assorted others.

Many in this same community have also been clamoring for the government to stop the cover-up and take UFOs seriously. This helped lead to the formation of AARO and AARO took the UFO communities claims concerning this sample seriously and tested them. All claims were found to be false. It's an imprecise layering of ordinary terrestrial materials that does nothing special, other than to excite the imaginations of some members of the UFO community.

This should be the end of this particular Art's Part, but I doubt it.

 

[JMartJr]

Did they ever say WHY they thought it might be an anti-gravity gizmo? Did they ever claim that it actually had been seen to do that?

 

[NorCal Dave]

Did they ever say WHY they thought it might be an anti-gravity gizmo? Did they ever claim that it actually had been seen to do that?

Depends on who "they" are. As I detailed in the thread on so-called meta-materials, this piece was accompanied by some fantastical letters from an anonymous sender calling himself "A Friend". Backed in the '90s, Howe seemed to have taken the letters at full face value and believed this sample came from the crash at Roswell. To that end, after putting out a plea for help on Coast to Coast AM, she was contacted by Travis Taylor. He tested the sample, and using a VandeGraff generator at ~500,000 volts, he was able to make the sample dance around on the test bed while a sample from an aluminum soda can did not. The implication was, that if more voltage (and maybe amps) were applied it would not only jump around but actually levitate.

I believe this is the earliest example of the sample having quasi-anti gravity properties. From my limited understanding, it seems any metallic sample on a test bed subjected to ~500,000 volts would likely jump around. If so, then the anomaly in the test isn't that the Bi/Mg sample danced around, it's that the soda can sample didn't, suggesting something wasn't quite right.

From then on it just became part of the lore. As for the Army, what's interesting is they didn't test the sample for anit-gravity properties, rather they were interested in applications for ground vehicles:

Project Synopsis:
To The Stars Academy of Arts and Science (now The The Stars (TTS)) is a company with
materiel and technology innovations and artifacts that TTS believes can provide capability
advancements for Army ground vehicles. These technology innovations have been acquired,
designed or produced by the Collaborator, leveraging advancements in metamaterials and
quantum physics to push performance gains. The Collaborator provided an artifact/technology
to US Army DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center - Ground Vehicle Survivability and
Protection (GVSP), who use Government laboratories and resources to characterize the
technology and find applications for ground vehicles.

I guess this is more in line with Kirkpatrick's claim that the sample may be from an experimental shell or hull for missiles, so maybe good for the shell of armored equipment? Something still doesn't make sense with the Army CRADA.

Personally, I think the lead smelting theory makes sense. It's known that magnesium was floated or layered over molten lead to leach out the bismuth and purify the lead. This process could be repeated multiple times, possibly creating the layering seen in the sample. The results would be rare, as when completed the layered product would be further processed to purify the bismuth for sale and the magnesium reused in the process again. Smelting lead from ore ended in the US decades ago due to the environmental concerns, moving ore smelting off shore while recycling of lead became more common place here, possibly making even knowledge of this process and possible by-products even more rare.

Whatever it is, it's not from space and it can't fly.

 

[Mendel]

From then on it just became part of the lore. As for the Army, what's interesting is they didn't test the sample for anti-gravity properties, rather they were interested in applications for ground vehicles:

Well, part of the stated purpose of the CRADA was indeed anti-gravity:

TTSA (Elizondo) alleged this as basis for the Cooperative Research And Development Agreement (CRADA) that you can read at https://www.metabunk.org/threads/aaros-historical-uap-report-volume-1.13375/post-312296 .

"Inertial mass reduction" and "weight reduction" follow from anti-gravity, without sounding immediately crackpot, because the conventional way to achieve that is to use lighter materials—the main reason why magnesium (Mg) was used for missiles and in aviation in the first place.

The close-out report does not explicitly say that they tested for anti-gravity, but it does say this:

"Macro-material characterization" would include anti-gravity tests (such as determining the object's density, weight, and weight when current is applied), if such tests were indeed carried out. You'd have to be a special kind of physicist or engineer to expect such a test to arrive at anything but the predictable outcome, though.

 

[owntheissue]

Well, part of the stated purpose of the CRADA was indeed anti-gravity:

View attachment 80789
"Inertial mass reduction" and "weight reduction" follow from anti-gravity, without sounding immediately crackpot, because the conventional way to achieve that is to use lighter materials—the main reason why magnesium (Mg) was used for missiles and in aviation in the first place.

The close-out report does not explicitly say that they tested for anti-gravity, but it does say this:
View attachment 80790
"Macro-material characterization" would include anti-gravity tests (such as determining the object's density, weight, and weight when current is applied), if such tests were indeed carried out. You'd have to be a special kind of physicist or engineer to expect such a test to arrive at anything but the predictable outcome, though.

I think most people (including TTSA investors) read it like that.

"Inertial mass reduction" on its own might be debatable.
As part of a veritable list of "nice things to have on a UFO"- it is (at a minimum)- highly suggestive of someone's intent to manage perception.
Also -shortly before the CRADA - Tom Delonge (TTSA officer) was on the JRE declaring possession of gravity wave guides from crashed UFO's.

How it got to CRADA stage so rapidly with so little due dilligence from the Army is the mystery for me.
Perhaps during the CRADA meeting SES GS15 (Semivan) and former Skunkworks Special Project VP Steve Justice kept leaning over, whilst doing slow exagerated winks at the Army physics representitve?

 

[jplaza]

"Inertial mass reduction" and "weight reduction" follow from anti-gravity

One of the principles of relativity is that "inertial mass" is equivalent (or the same than) "gravitational mass".

If they were different things, then the inertial mass reduction is not related to anti Gravity, but with the capability to sustain high-g maneouvers without suffering high forces.